What are the visa & residency requirements in New Jersey?

"To visit or immigrate to New Jersey, you must apply for a visa from the U.S. Department of State and gain approval from the United States Embassy or Consulate. Depending on the type of visa you are seeking, the application process for visas can involve online forms and applications, interviews, photographs, and payment of fees. Additionally, any authorized visa holder must fulfill ESTA requirements before beginning their journey to the United States. Regarding residency in New Jersey, once an individual is approved for entry into the United States and is present in the country, they can apply for a change in visa status from a non-immigrant visa to an immigrant visa. This process requires submitting a Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130 (if a family relation is sponsoring the individual) or a Petition for Alien Worker, Form I-129 (if the individual’s work is sponsoring them), along with any other needed forms and documents to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Upon approval of the petition, the individual will receive an I-551 stamp in his/her passport, confirming their status as a legal permanent resident in the U.S. and will then have to file for New Jersey residency," explained one expat living in New Jersey.