A formal request submitted to immigration authorities to grant a foreign national a specific nonimmigrant status. This petition typically involves providing evidence of eligibility for the requested visa category, such as employment offers, sponsorship by an organization, or proof of enrollment in an educational institution. Examples include Form I-129 for U.S. work visas and Form DS-160 for U.S. nonimmigrant visas.
Etymology:
The term “nonimmigrant” combines “non,” meaning “not,” with “immigrant,” derived from the Latin “immigrans,” meaning “to move into.” The word “petition” comes from the Latin “petitio,” meaning “a request or demand.”