Obtaining a green card, or permanent resident status, gives you the ability to legally live and work in the United States, and is a step towards acquiring American citizenship. You can apply for a green card through your family, employer, or other particular reason. The process takes a long time, but the reward is great. Read on to find out what you need to get a green card.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Know your Eligibility Category
Step 1. Determine if you can get a green card through the family
This is one of the most common ways to get a green card, and in many ways it is the simplest. If you are a direct relative to a United States citizen, immigration laws allow your relative to apply for you to live in the United States.
- Many get a green card as a direct relative of a US citizen. If you are the wife of a US citizen, an unmarried child under the age of 21, or the parent of a citizen over the age of 21, your relative can submit Form I-130, Application for a Foreign Relative. Follow this question by initiating the process called "Adjustment of Status" to become a permanent resident of the United States. The procedure is slightly different for people who are not already in the United States, and is called "consular processing"; a visa is granted by the State Department, and you will become a permanent resident once admitted to the United States.
- The procedure is similar, but slower, if you are trying to obtain a green card through a direct relative who is a permanent resident but is not yet a US citizen.
- If you turn 21 or get married, your status as a direct member of the family changes, and this can delay obtaining the green card in the "family" category.
- You can also get a green card through special family situations which include being an abused wife or child, a widower or widow of a US citizen, or the child of a US-born foreign diplomat.
Step 2. Determine if you can get a green card through a job
This category is divided into several sub-categories, however, it basically includes all applications to obtain a green card for purposes related to a job offer, investment, or a specialized job. Determine if any of the following apply to you:
- You have received a permanent job offer for employment in the United States. If this is the situation, your employer will need to obtain a certificate of employment and complete Form I-140, Immigration Application for Foreign Workers.
- You want to get a green card through an investment. If you are an entrepreneur and have made an investment of either $ 1,000,000 or $ 500,000 in a target area for employment, and you plan to create at least 10 jobs for American citizens, you can apply for a green card through the investment. You need to complete Form I-526, Foreign Entrepreneur Immigration Application.
- You have extraordinary skills and want to apply for a green card yourself. Very gifted or talented people who are considered the best in their field (Nobel Prize Winners, super athletes, etc.) can apply for a green card. This is a rather rare category.
- You fall into a special category of work. If you are an Afghan or Iraqi translator who has assisted the US government, a member of the military, or belong to some other special category, you can get a green card this way.
Step 3. Determine if you fall into the category of refugees or asylum seekers
If you entered the United States as a refugee or asylum seeker, or as a member of the asylum seeker's family, you can apply for a green card 1 year after entering the country.
- If you are in the country as a refugee, it is mandatory to apply for permanent status after one year in the country.
- If you are in the country as an asylum seeker, it is not mandatory to apply for a green card.
Method 2 of 3: Submit the Application and Check for Visa Availability
Step 1. Submit the correct request
Once you have determined which category of immigrants you belong to, you need your family or employer to file an immigration application for you. In a few cases it is expected that you will forward it.
- If you apply for the green card through your family, your relative must submit Form I-130, the Request for a Foreign Relative.
- If you need to get your green card through your employer, your employer must submit Form I-140, Request for a Foreign Worker.
- If you are an entrepreneur who invests money, you must submit Form I-526, Request for Immigration of a Foreign Entrepreneur.
- If you belong to a special category such as a widower or widow, please submit Form I-360.
- If you are a refugee or asylum seeker, you probably don't need an application if you qualify to change your status.
Step 2. Check the availability of visas in your category
Once your relative, or your employer - or yourself - has submitted the initial application, you need to check if there are visas available before sending the remaining application forms. The number of available visas varies according to the immigration category and the country you are emigrating from.
- There is an unlimited number of visas for people who apply for a green card through direct relatives.
- There is a limited number of visas available for those applying for a green card through offline relatives and for work. You will receive a registration number and will be placed on a waiting list until a visa becomes available.
- You will receive a "Visa Bulletin" that will allow you to check your position on the waiting list.
Step 3. Submit Form I-485, Permanent Residence Registration or Change of Status Request
You must wait for a visa to be available before submitting this form. Read the instructions on the form and be sure to send all required documents and information. Also make sure to send the forms to the correct address.
- If you are applying for the Green Card through a direct online relative, you can submit Form I-485 at the same time as your relative's application, as visas are unlimited in this category.
- There is a $ 1070 shipping fee.
Method 3 of 3: Finish the Proceeding and Get the Green Card
Step 1. Get your biometric data
You will be advised to go to an Application Support Center for an appointment during which your fingerprints will be taken, photographed, and you will need to file your signature. The center will use this information to carry out checks. Eventually your biometric data will be used to prepare the green card.
Step 2. Go to your interview
In some cases you may be called for an interview at the USCIS offices to answer questions regarding your request. If you receive a notice, be sure to respect the appointment. The notice should indicate the date, time and place where the interview will be held.
- In some cases, your family member who applied for your green card may be required to attend the interview.
- Bring travel documents, passports, and all relevant documents for the interview with you.
Step 3. Wait for the final decision and for your green card
USCIS will review your entire file, schedule an interview if relevant, and make sure you meet all the requirements to become a permanent resident. Once they have made a decision, it will be communicated to you in the mail.
- If your request is denied, you can appeal.
- If your application is accepted, you will receive further instructions on how to obtain the green card, including when it will need to be renewed.
Advice
- Read everything. If you can't read the documents, ask someone you trust to do it for you.
- Don't get scammed by someone asking you to pay exorbitant sums to get citizenship. Nobody can give you this certainty and not even those who filled out the application for the green card for you.
- Read as much as you can before making the leap. If there is anything that can prevent you from becoming a citizen or resident, such as political activities or the crimes of a loved one, behave confidently, have explanations ready, and be prepared to disapprove of that lifestyle if it is perceived as negative..
