Others had legal visas but shouldn't have had them.

The United States offers about one legal visa for every 100 workers who sneak into the country.

Often they apply for a legal visa - to dance, or work in a bar - and then stay after it expires.

The system is intended to help track down foreigners who overstay their legal visas.

Most of the Salvadorans are in this country without legal visas or work permits.

But here Mr. Portugal has a work contract and a legal visa for the agricultural season.

"No resident without a legal visa will be excluded."

Recently, for example, the agency decided to permit immigrants who had re-entered the country on a legal visa to apply for citizenship.

Be aware that it can take a long time to process a legal working visa in some countries.

Most of the Salvadorans are in the United States without legal visas or work permits.