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Glossary of Immigration Terms & Legal Terms Begining with N

NACARA

Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act

NAFTA

From travel.state.gov The North American Free Trade Agreement

National

A person owing permanent allegiance to a state.

National Interest Waiver

From travel.state.gov This is for physicians and doctors who work in an area without adequate health care workers or who work in Veterans Affairs' facilities. These physicians and
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National Visa Center (NVC)

From travel.state.gov A Department of State facility located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It supports the worldwide operations of the Bureau of Consular Affairs Visa Office. The NVC pr
[ read more on National Visa Center (NVC) ]

Native

From travel.state.gov A person born in a particular country is a native of that country.

Natives of Underrepresented Countries

The Immigration Amendments of 1988, Public Law 101-658 (Act of 11/5/88) allowed for 10,000 visas to be issued to natives of underrepresented countries in each of fiscal years 1990 and 1
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NATO Official

As a nonimmigrant class of admission, an alien coming temporarily to the United States as a member of the armed forces or as a civilian employed by the armed forces on assignment with a
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Naturalization

The conferring, by any means, of citizenship upon a person after birth. From travel.state.gov A citizen who acquires nationality of a country after birth. That is, the person did not be
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Naturalization Application

The form used by a lawful permanent resident to apply for U.S. citizenship. The application is filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at the Service Center with jurisdicti
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Nolo Contendere

No contest. A plea of nolo contendere has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any o
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Nondischargeable Debt

A debt that cannot be eliminated in bankruptcy. Examples include a home mortgage, debts for alimony or child support, certain taxes, debts for most government funded or guaranteed educa
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Nonexempt Asset

Property of a debtor that can be liquidated to satisfy claims of creditors.

Nonimmigrant

An alien who seeks temporary entry to the United States for a specific purpose. The alien must have a permanent residence abroad (for most classes of admission) and qualify for the noni
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Nonimmigrant Visa

From travel.state.gov  A U.S. visa allows the bearer, a foreign citizen, to apply to enter the United States temporarily for a specific purpose. Nonimmigrant visas are primarily clas
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Nonpreference Category

Nonpreference visas were available to qualified applicants not entitled to a visa under the preferences until the category was eliminated by the Immigration Act of 1990. Nonpreference v
[ read more on Nonpreference Category ]

North American Free Trade Agreement

Public Law 103-182 (Act of 12/8/93), superseded the United States-Canada Free-Trade Agreement as of 1/1/94. It continues the special, reciprocal trading relationship between the United
[ read more on North American Free Trade Agreement ]

Notice of Action

From travel.state.gov A Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) immigration form, Notice of Action, Form I-797 that says that USCIS h
[ read more on Notice of Action ]

Nursing Relief Act of 1989

Public Law 101-238 (Act of 12/18/89), provides for the adjustment to permanent resident status of certain nonimmigrants who as of September 1, 1989, had H-1 nonimmigrant status as regis
[ read more on Nursing Relief Act of 1989 ]

NVC

From travel.state.gov See National Visa Center.