A very important question regarding holding two visas at once!(Urgent).

[Kareem101]

Hello, everybody. How are you? I hope you are all well.
In a few days, I'll begin the process of renewing my Passport in order to acquire a Non-immigrant Visitor Petition/Visa because I'll be going to the USA this August 2016, and as far as I know, it is valid for up to 5 years maximum or 2 years minimum. However, within the up-coming two years, more specifically in early-mid 2018, I'll be applying for an Immigrant Permanent Worker Petition/Visa (EB-3) Professional. Presuming that the former Visitor Visa does not expire in 2018, can I still apply for the latter (Permanent Worker Petition/Visa EB-3) at the same time whilst holding the older/former one? Or do I have to change the status/category? Keep in mind, when I apply for the Permanent Worker Visa, I'll not be in the USA, I'll be here in my home country - because I know If I were inside the USA then, I'd have to begin an 'Adjustment of Status', but what about my situation; being in my own home country while I apply for Immigrant Permanent Worker Petition/Visa?
However, I do know that before a petition gets approved it's just a petition. Once it's stamped on your Passport and approved, then it's genuinely called a Visa.
To sum it up: Can I have two different Visas/Petitions which belong to distinctly different categories at the same time, while I'm outside the USA then only use one of them for entry, even if the first Petition/Visa is still valid?

A detailed help would be much appreciated!

Thank you!

[daggit]

You can have two different non-immigrant visa types, but not both nonimmi and immi together. A permanent visa based on an eb3 petition will invalidate/supersede any existing nonimmi visa.

[Kareem101]

You can have two different non-immigrant visa types, but not both nonimmi and immi together. A permanent visa based on an eb3 petition will invalidate/supersede any existing nonimmi visa.

Aha, I see. So once I obtain the Permanent Worker Visa, the Visitor Visa will longer be valid. That's alright with me. I was just concerned about not being able to petition for a Permanent worker visa while I still have a valid Visitor Visa, as If I have to wait for it to expire by itself reaching a specific date or that I have to go through a process similar to 'Adjustment of Status'.
So, are you sure that I can apply for an EB-3 while owning or having an unexpired Visitor Visa while I'm outside the USA?
Sorry for asking too many questions, I just want to be sure as I'm working very hard to be a Permanent Worker in the USA in the very near future by 2018.

[Libra_14]

Aha, I see. So once I obtain the Permanent Worker Visa, the Visitor Visa will longer be valid. That's alright with me. I was just concerned about not being able to petition for a Permanent worker visa while I still have a valid Visitor Visa, as If I have to wait for it to expire by itself reaching a specific date or that I have to go through a process similar to 'Adjustment of Status'.
So, are you sure that I can apply for an EB-3 while owning or having an unexpired Visitor Visa while I'm outside the USA?
Sorry for asking too many questions, I just want to be sure as I'm working very hard to be a Permanent Worker in the USA in the very near future by 2018.

Yes. you are fine. Whenever you'll be granted an Immigrant visa, they will cancel your non-immigrant visa by putting a stamp "CWOP" on it, which means "Cancelled without prejudice".

Best of luck for your both the visas.

[Kareem101]

Yes. you are fine. Whenever you'll be granted an Immigrant visa, they will cancel your non-immigrant visa by putting a stamp "CWOP" on it, which means "Cancelled without prejudice".

Best of luck for your both the visas.

Thank you all very much!

[daggit]

Just one more thing, slightly off topic.. please avoid using the 'urgent' label for something that's months and years down the road.