US Permanent Residence – If you are interested in moving to the United States permanently, read the information we have provided below to learn more about how you can get a Green Card.
Thousands of foreign nationals are making the decision to permanently make the move to the United States and actively exploring their options to do so. When applying for US permanent residency, you will be completing a US Green Card application which is proof that the holder is a lawful permanent resident.
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The two most common ways to get a Green Card would be through the following two methods:
- Family Sponsorship
- Employment-Based Green Cards
. US Green Card Eligibility
To qualify for a Green Card you must be eligible under one of the categories that allow immigrants to become Permanent Residents. Once you find the category that fits your situation, you will need to get information on eligibility requirements and how to apply through that category. Find the eligible categories below.
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How to Apply for a US Green Card
The steps you must take to apply for a Green Card will vary depending on your individual situation. When you are applying for a US Green Card to become a Permanent Resident there are two main questions:
1. Are you eligible to apply for permanent residency?
2. Are you inside or outside the United States?
US Green Card Processing Times
You can expect the processing time for permanent residence to be more lengthy than most other visas. According to USCIS, an application for permanent residence (Form I-485) will take anywhere from 6 months to 33 months to process.
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Documents Required
Depending on the category you are applying under for a Green Card your required documents will vary. If you are applying through family you will need your family to show proof of support. If you are applying through Employment you will need your employment proof. Contact an immigration consultant to help organize your required documents.
Family-Based Green Cards
Family Sponsorship is for family members who are either immediate or first preference relatives to a US Citizen. Family reunification is important to many people and this is the perfect opportunity for a US citizen to petition for their spouse, children, parents, grandparents, and sometimes siblings.
Employment-Based Green Cards
Employment-Based Green Cards are the best option for anyone looking to settle in the United States based on their work experience and skills prior to immigrating. There are 5 categories of employment-based green cards which are also referred to as EB visas. These categories include:
- EB-1 Visa for Priority Workers
- EB-2 Visa for Advanced Degree Professionals
- EB-3 Visa for Skilled and Unskilled Workers
- EB-4 Visa for Special Immigrants
- EB-5 Visa for Investors
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Diversity Visa Program | Green Card Lottery
If you are lucky, you may be chosen to apply for a US Green Card through the Diversity Lottery. Through the Diversity Visa Program, 50,000 immigrants are invited each year to receive a Green Card and start a new life in the United States. These 50,000 foreign nationals are those coming from countries with low immigration rates to the US.
Refugee or Asylum Status
Another important pathway is for those seeking refugee or asylum status for those experiencing life-threatening circumstances in their home country. Individuals granted asylum can apply for a green card after one year of residence in the US. Long-time resident non-citizens may escape deportation proceedings and apply for a green card if they can prove their removal from the country would cause severe hardship to another US citizen or permanent resident.
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Step by step instructions to Renew or Replace a US Green Card
To reestablish or supplant your US Green Card, you would have to record Form I-90 with the USCIS. The typical Green Card is really great for a very long time, albeit some may just be legitimate for two which is viewed as a contingent Green Card. The people who get a restrictive green card have the choice to switch it over completely to a 10-year green card. which is a method called “evacuation of conditions on residency.”