Oh, wow, what's a visa?

Applying to College
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<p>I just realized (1 day before deadline, go me) that I have no clue what a visa is. Actually, I think it's my passport or something....Here let's elaborate:
Chinese first generation immigrant.
Moved here.....10/somedate/1994
Now a permanent resident.</p>

<p>Here's the evil form i'm trying to fill out: <a href="http://www.admissions.unc.edu/pdf/nc_res_supplem_form.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.admissions.unc.edu/pdf/nc_res_supplem_form.pdf&lt;/a> i hope the link shows up</p>

<p>So i'm wondering (pictures or links to useful pictures and diagrams would be helpful pleaseandthankyou):
If i have a visa- yes, i think. i have a thingy in my passport that says visa. So i'm assuming yes
What my Visa # is- there's a red # on my visa, a red # all over pages in my passport, and a control #. Which number do I use?
What is an Alien Registration Reciept Card (I-551)?- is this the reciept that they gave me w/ my.....permanent resident card?
What is Form I-181 (Memorandum of Creation of Record of Lawful Permanent Residence)?- okay.....they lost me at "memorandum"
What is a Parole Edition Form I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record)?
Is there a difference between Miss and Ms.? The form thinks there is.</p>

<p>Ha, at least i know i'm not a refugee. That this moment, that appears to be all I know...</p>

<p>Please answer any of my questions that you are able to and i'll be eternally grateful. Should I post this under the international students part of the forum too? It seems they should know more about this sort of stuff...</p>

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<p>If you are a permanent resident you are exactly like a citizen but cant vote. Thus i dont see why you need a visa. A visa is for ppl who are visiting the country and dont have permnent legal status. </p>

<p>Also go with Ms. to me Miss and Mrs is pretty sexist. We males just have to use Mr. why does females have to identify their marital status?</p>

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<p>um...so can you click on the link and see if i even have to fill this form out? It kinda sounds like I'd need it to apply for legal domicile...which i think i already have since i've lived here for about 11 years.
Yeah, i was going to go w/ Ms. too b/c Miss reminds me of waitresses.</p>

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<p>Yeah u do have to fill it out. Proves ur legal residency.</p>

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<p>I second that. Pernament residents must prove it. :)</p>

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<p>darn. So does anyone know what all that weird I-something something is?</p>

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<p>Ask your GC. Best bet.</p>

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<p>but valid means not expired right?</p>