Content

• Steps
• Advice

Having a green card, or permanent resident, means that you will be able to live and work legally in the United States. And that is a huge step forward in becoming an American citizen. You can apply for a green card through relatives, jobs or other special reasons. This may take a long time, but it is well worth it. Read on to find out what you need to do to get a green card.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Determine The Right Category For You

1. 

   Determine if you can be granted a family green card. This is one of the most common ways to get a green card, and the easiest. If you have a direct relationship with a US citizen, US immigration law will allow your loved one to allow you to live in the United States.
   • A lot of people get a green card thanks to a close relationship with an American citizen. If you are a spouse, unmarried children under the age of 21, or the parents of a US citizen over the age of 21, your relative can file Form I-130, Application for Immigration for Relatives Foreign. You will then likely follow the “Adjustment of Residence Status” process to become a permanent resident of the United States. This process is slightly different for those who have not been to the US before, and they will be collectively referred to as "pending aliens"; At this time the visa will still be administered by the US Department of State, and the person will become a permanent resident upon admission to the United States.
   • The process is similar, but slower, if you are trying to apply for a green card through a relative who is only a permanent resident and not a US citizen.
   • If you are over 21 years of age or are married, the status of you and a family member will change, which may delay your green card application in the event of your "family".
   • You can also get a green card through special relationships, such as abandoned spouse and children, widowed wife / widower of a US citizen, or children of a home. Foreign diplomacy was born in America.

2. 

   
   
   Determine if you are eligible for a green card for a job. This case is divided into several smaller categories, but basically the law requires that all green card applications have a reason related to a job offer, investment or a professional job. subject. Determine which of the following situations is right for you:
   • You receive a permanent job offer in the US. In this case, your employer will need to apply for a labor certificate. And fill out Form I-140, Application for Immigration for Foreign Workers.
   • You want to be granted a green card through investment. If you are an entrepreneur and have invested a sum of between $ 1,000,000 or $ 500,000 in a particular line of business that can create at least 10 jobs for US citizens, then you Can apply for a green card through investment. You will have to fill out Form I-526, Application for Immigration for Foreign Investor.
   • You have an extraordinary talent and want to apply for a green card yourself. Those who are extremely talented or have a distinct talent recognized as the best in their field (Nobel Prize winners, excellent athletes, etc.) can apply for a green card themselves. These cases are extremely rare.
   • You are in a situation with a special job. If you are an Armenian or Iraqi translator, an Apodon or an Iraqi who supported the US government, a member of the armed forces, or under other special circumstances, you may also be issued a green card.

3. 

   
   
   Determine whether you are a refugee or a political refugee. If you come to the United States as a refugee or political refugee, or a close family member of the political refugee, you can apply for a green card 1 year after you arrive.
   • If you are a refugee, registration of permanent residence 1 year after coming to the US is required.
   • If you are a political refugee registration of permanent residency is not required.
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Method 2 of 3: Applying and Checking Visa Status

1. 

   
   
   
   
   Prepare the correct form. Once you have found your immigration case, you will need to be prepared and submitted by a relative or your employer. In rare cases, you will apply for yourself.
   • If you are applying for a green card as a relative of a US citizen, your relative must file a form on Form I-130, Application for Immigration for Relative Abroad.
   • If you apply for a green card through employment, your employer must prepare an application on Form I-140, Application for Immigration for Foreign Workers.
   • If you are applying for a green card as an investor, you will need to prepare an application form according to Form I-526, Application for Immigration for Foreign Investor.
   • If you are in a special case such as the widow / widower of a US citizen, prepare the form on Form I-360.
   • If you are a refugee or political asylum, you probably won't need to apply if you qualify to consider changing your form of residence.

2. 

   
   
   Check the visa status (visa) in your case. After a relative, employer or yourself has applied, you need to check if there is a visa to issue you before you submit the remaining forms. The number of valid visas depends on your immigration type and the country in which you were previously.
   • There is no limit on visas for those applying for a green card through a relative.
   • There is only a limited number of visas available to green card applicants through relative and employment reasons. You will receive an application date and will be placed on a waiting list for your visa to take effect.
   • You will receive a “Visa Waiting List” so you can check your order in the waiting list.

3. 

   
   
   Prepare an application form I-485, Application for permanent residence registration or adjustment of legal status. You will need to wait until a visa is available to submit this application. Read the instructions on the application form and be sure to submit all required documentation and application information. Make sure you send the application to the correct address.
   • If you are applying for a green card through a family member, you can file a Form I-485 at the same time your relative applies for a green card as the number of visas available in your case is not limited.
   • The application fee is $ 1070 (~ 24 million VND).
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Method 3 of 3: Complete the Process and Get a Green Card

1. 

   Get your identity. You will receive a notification to call a resident registration assistance center to provide your fingerprint, photo and signature. The center will take information for personal records. Eventually your identifiers will be used to complete your green card.

2. 

   Conducting interviews. In some cases you will be called to an interview at the USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Service) to answer questions about your application. If you get a notification, remember to go to the appointment. The announcement will include the date, time and location of the interview.
   • In some cases a relative who has applied to help you will also be called for an interview.
   • Bring your papers, passport and all documents related to the interview.

3. 

   Wait for the final decision and come to receive your green card. The USCIS will review all of your papers, evaluate the interview if necessary, and check if you have met the requirements to become a permanent resident. After they make a decision, you will receive a notification by mail.
   • If your application is denied, you are allowed to file an appeal.
   • If your application is approved, you will receive instructions on the next steps to obtaining your green card, including information on how long to renew your card.
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Advice

• Always read as much as you can before you take a big step. If there is something that prevents you from becoming a citizen or permanent resident, such as your support for a political activity or crime, be sure to have an explanation ready and ready to deny. if it is seen as negative.
• Never be fooled when someone asks you to pay hefty sums of money to ensure citizenship. No one can guarantee that you will become a US citizen if they apply for you.
• Read everything. If you can't read it, ask someone you trust to read it for you.