Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: The different categories of admission requirements
• Method 2 of 3: Submitting your petition and checking visa availability
• Method 3 of 3: Complete the process and get your Green Card
• Tips

A Green Card is a permanent residence permit for an indefinite period of time for the United States. Having a Green Card allows you to live and work legally in the US. You can apply for a Green Card through your employer, if you already have family in the US, or under other special circumstances. The process can take a long time, but it is more than worth it. Read this article to find out how to get a Green Card.

To step

Method 1 of 3: The different categories of admission requirements

1. Find out if you qualify for a family-based Green Card. This is one of the most common ways to obtain a Green Card and in many ways the easiest way. If you have a direct family relationship with a US citizen, you may qualify for a Green Card under US immigration law.
   • Many people obtain a Green Card because they are directly related to a US citizen. If you are the spouse of a US citizen, if you are an unmarried child of a US citizen under 21 years of age, or if you are the parent of a US citizen over 21 years of age, you can submit a petition using Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative). After that, you will have to successfully complete the process called "Adjustment of Status" to obtain permanent US residency. The procedure differs slightly if you are not yet resident in the US at the time of application, this is called "consular processing"; a visa will then be granted by the US Department of State, and you will then be issued with permanent residency if you have been admitted to the US.
   • The procedure is the same, but slower if the family member already has a Green Card, but is not yet a US Citizen.
   • If you turn over 21 or if you get married, your status as a direct family member changes, and this can have delaying consequences if you apply for a Green Card based on family relationship.
   • You can also obtain a Green Card under special family situations, such as if you are the victim of relationship violence or if you are the widower or widow of an American citizen, or if you are the child of a diplomat born in the United States. USA.
2. Determine your eligibility to obtain a Green Card based on your job. This general category is divided into several sub-categories, but essentially it means that you qualify for a Green Card if you have been offered a job, if you have invested or if you are a specialist in a particular field. Determine if any of these following circumstances apply to you:
   • You have been offered a permanent job in the US. If that is the case, your employer must apply for a "labor certification" for you and submit the form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker).
   • You have created jobs with an investment. If you are an entrepreneur or investor and have invested $ 1,000,000 or $ 500,000 in a particular area of ​​work and plan to create at least 10 jobs for US citizens, you may qualify for a Green Card through investment '. You will then need Form I-526: "Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur".
   • You have extraordinary abilities and you want to apply for a Green Card on that basis. Exceptionally talented people or people with extraordinary abilities who are considered to be the best in their field (Nobel laureates, top athletes, etc.) can apply for a Green Card based on their abilities. Note: very few people qualify for this.
   • You fall into a special job category. For example, if you are a translator who can translate from Afghan or Iraqi, if you have assisted the US government in some way in a war or if you fall under another special category, you may also qualify for a Green Card.
3. Determine whether you fall under the refugee or asylum seekers category. If you entered the US as a refugee or asylum seeker or if you are directly related to an asylum seeker, you can apply for a Green Card from 1 year after entering the country.
   • If you are residing in the US as a refugee, it is mandatory to apply for permanent status if you have been in the US for a year.
   • If you are staying in the US as an asylum seeker, it is not mandatory to apply for a Green Card.

Method 2 of 3: Submitting your petition and checking visa availability

1. Submit the correct petition. Once you know which immigrant category you belong to, your family member or employer must file an "immigrant petition" for you. In rare cases you can do this yourself.
   • To obtain a Green Card based on family, your relative must submit Form I-130, the Petition for Alien Relative.
   • To obtain a Green Card on the basis of work, your employer must file Form I-140, the "Petition for an Alien Worker".
   • If you are an entrepreneur investing money, you must file Form I-526, the "Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur".
   • If you fall under a special category such as a widower or widow, file Form I-360.
   • If you are a refugee or asylum seeker, you probably don't need a petition if you meet the conditions.
2. Check visa availability within your category. Once the petition has been submitted, please check if visas are available before submitting the remaining forms. The number of visas available varies by category and country.
   • The number of visas available to people applying on the basis of an immediate family member is unlimited.
   • There is a limit on the number of visas that can be issued on the basis of indirect family and work. In that case, you can end up on a waiting list until visas are available again.
   • You will receive a "Visa Bulletin" with which you can check your place on the waiting list.
3. Submit Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residency or Adjust Status). You have to wait for a visa to become available before you can submit this form. Read the instructions carefully and make sure to include all necessary documents and information. Send the forms to the correct address.
   • If you are applying by immediate family, you can submit Form I-485 at the same time as the petition the family member submits, as there is an unlimited number of visas available within this category.
   • The application fee is $ 1070.

Method 3 of 3: Complete the process and get your Green Card

1. Have your biometric data collected. You will be notified when to appear at an "Application Support Center". There your fingerprints will be taken, a photo will be taken and you have to put your signature. The center uses this information to do a background check. Ultimately, the data will be used for your Green Card.
2. Go to your interview. In some cases, you will need to meet with the USCIS to answer some questions about your application. If you get a message about that, make sure you go. The message will include the date, time and location of the interview.
   • In some cases, the family member who filed the petition will also have to appear.
   • Bring your travel documents, passport and other relevant documentation to the interview.
3. Wait for the results and get your Green Card. The USCIS will review all paperwork, review any interview, and determine whether you meet all the conditions to obtain a residency permit. Once the decision has been made, you will be notified by post.
   • If the application has been denied, you can in most cases appeal against the result.
   • If the application has been approved, you will receive further instructions on how to obtain your Green Card and when to renew the Green Card.

Tips

• Read everything carefully. If you don't understand, ask someone for help.
• Watch out for impostors who promise you a Green Card in exchange for a lot of money. No one can know in advance whether or not your application will be approved.
• Read as much as you can about getting a Green Card before taking the actual step. If there could be anything that could cause your application to be rejected, such as the political activities or crimes of a family member, make sure you have your explanations ready and that you can distance yourself from these activities with good arguments.