Having a green card or permanent resident status will give you the opportunity to live and work legally in the United States. You can apply for a green card through your family, the person who employs you, or for other special reasons. The process of getting this green card can take a long time, but the benefits are many. Here's what you have to do to get a green card.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Knowing Your Eligibility Category
Step 1. Determine if you can get a green card through family
This is one of the most common and easy ways to get a green card among the available methods. If you have a family relationship with a resident of the United States, then United States immigration law allows your family to petition for you to stay in the United States.
- Many people get green cards because they have direct family ties to residents of the United States. If you are a spouse of a United States resident, a child under 21 years of age and unmarried, or a parent of a United States resident over 21 then your spouse or family may file an I-130 document which is a petition for a foreigner.. alien You will then proceed to the “Status Adjustment” process to become a permanent resident of the United States. This procedure is slightly different for people who are not already in the United States and is referred to as "consular processing"; This visa is administered by the US Department of State, and you will become a permanent resident once you are accepted into the United States.
- For those of you who want to get a green card through a family whose status is a permanent resident but not yet a resident of the United States of America, the procedure will be similar but slower.
- If you are over 21 years old or married, your status as part of a direct related family will change, and this will slow down your process of getting a green card in the “family” category.
- You can also get a green card through special family conditions such as being an abused spouse or child, a widow or widower of a United States resident, or being a child of a foreign diplomat born in the United States.
Step 2. Determine if you are eligible for a green card through employment
This general category is further subdivided into many subcategories, but basically, all of them are green cards issued for things related to work, investing or having a special job. Determine if any of the following situations have happened to you: br>
- You have received a permanent job offer in the United States. If this is the case for you, then your employer must obtain a labor certificate and fill out the I-140, Immigrant Petition for Foreign Workers.
- You want to get a green card through investment. If you are an entrepreneur and have made an investment of $1,000,000 or $500,000 in a designated work area, and plan to create at least 10 jobs for residents of the United States, then you can apply for a green card through investment.. You must fill out form I-526, Petition for Immigrants by Foreign Employers.
- You have extraordinary abilities and want to apply for a green card yourself. People who are so talented or have extraordinary abilities that they are considered the best in their field (Nobel prize winner, best athlete, etc.) can apply for a green card personally. But this category is a rare category.
- You belong to a special job category. If you are an Afghan or Iraqi translator assisting the United States government, are a member of the armed forces, or are part of another special occupation category then you can get a green card through this category.
Step 3. Determine whether you fall into the category of a refugee or an asylee (one who applies for or who has received political protection)
If you came to the United States as a refugee or asylee, or as someone with a direct relationship with an asylee, you can apply for a green card one year after you enter the United States.
- If you are in the United States as a refugee, then you are required to apply for permanent status after being in the country for one year.
- If you are in the United States as an asylee, then you are not required to apply for green card status.
Method 2 of 3: File Your Petition and Check Visa Availability
Step 1. File the right petition
Once you know which category fits your situation, you should ask your family or employer to apply for immigrants for you. In rare cases, you will submit the application yourself.
- If you get a green card through your family then your family must file a form I-130 which is a Petition for Foreigner Families.
- If you get a green card through your employer, then your employer must file a form I-140 which is a petition for foreign workers.
- If you are an entrepreneur who is making an investment, you must submit form I-526 which is a petition for foreign entrepreneurs.
- If you are in a special category such as a widow or widower then you must file an I-360 form.
- If you are a refugee or an asylee, then you are more likely not to need to petition if you meet all the requirements to adjust your status.
Step 2. Check visa availability in your category
After your family, employer or yourself make the initial application then you need to check if the visa is available before you submit the next application form. The number of visas available varies depending on the category of immigrant and which country you are emigrating to.
- An unlimited number of visas are available for people who apply for a green card through family relationships.
- The number of visas available is limited to those who apply for a green card through an unrelated family and for employment purposes. You will receive a priority date and be put on a waiting list until a visa becomes available.
- You will receive a “Visa Bulletin” which will allow you to check your position on the visa queue.
Step 3. Form I-485 is an application for registration as a permanent resident or adjustment of status
You must wait until a visa is available before this form can be submitted. Read the instructions on the form and make sure you submit all the required documents and information. Make sure that your form is sent to the correct address.
- If you are applying for a green card through direct contact with a family member, you can apply for form I-485 at the same time your family is petitioning for you as the visas available in this category are unlimited.
- There is an application fee of $1070.
Method 3 of 3: Complete All Processes and Get Your Green Card
Step 1. Perform biometric capture
You will get a call to go to the Application Help Center for an appointment where your fingerprint, photo and signature will be taken. This center will use this information to perform a background check on you. The biometrics that have been taken will be used to process your green card.
Step 2. Go to the interview
In some cases, you may be called for an interview with a USCIS office staff to answer any questions regarding your application. If you receive a notification of this, make sure that you come to the interview. The notice will contain the date, time and location of the interview.
- In some cases, your family member applying for a green card may also be called in for an interview.
- Bring your travel documents, passport and all other relevant documents with you to the interview.
Step 3. Wait for the final decision and get your green card
USCIS will review all of your paperwork, assess the interview, and ensure you meet all the requirements to become a permanent resident. Once they've made a decision, you'll get a notification in the mail.
- If your application is rejected, you can file an appeal.
- If your application is accepted, you will receive further instructions on how to get your green card, including information on when it should be renewed.
Tips
- Always read as much as you can before you do something. If there is anything that could prevent you from becoming a citizen or resident, such as political activity by a family member or a crime, make sure you have an explanation and are ready to quit the lifestyle if it is perceived as bad or negative.
- Never fall for scams that ask you to pay a lot of money to get guaranteed citizenship. No one can be sure that you will become a citizen just because they applied for it.
- Read everything. If you can't read it, ask someone you trust to read it to you.
