The three U.S. government agencies with authority over virtually all immigration matters are the U.S. Department of Homelands Security (DHS), the U.S Department of State (DOS), and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

• The U.S. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) - a division of the DHS in Washington D.C. - has primary responsibility over matters pertaining to U.S immigration benefits and related services. The USCIS sets nationwide immigration policies and procedures, operating from numerous regional and district offices located throughout the country.

• The DOS oversees all U.S. consulates abroad and is charged with responsibility for issuing visas, both temporary and permanent. Functions formerly performed by the United States Information Agency (USIA) have now been delegated to the DOS in Washington, D.C.

• The DOL is responsible for reviewing and certifying most permanent and some temporary job offers made to non-U.S. residents.