Adjustment of Status
A Green Card (formally known as a Permanent Resident Card) allows you to live and work in the United States for the rest of your life. The actions you’ll need to follow to apply for a green card will differ depending on your circumstances.
With a green card, a non-citizen can gain permanent residency in the United States. A green card is desired by many foreigners since it allows them to live (lawfully) and work anywhere within the United States and to qualify for U.S. citizenship after three or five years. The U.S. government issues more than a million green cards each year. The majority of these visas are issued to family members of U.S. citizens and current green card holders, while workers from other countries seeking employment in the United States are the next most common beneficiaries.
Eligibility Criteria for Green Cards:
You must fall into one of the following categories to apply for a Green Card. Once you’ve found a category that fits your scenario, click on the link to learn more about the eligibility requirements.
How to apply whether you can bring family members with you.
Obtaining a Green Card through Family
Obtaining a Green Card through Employment
As a Special Immigrant, you can apply for a Green Card.
Through refugee or asylee status, you can obtain a green card.
Human Trafficking and Crime Victims Get a Green Card.
Victims of Abuse Get a Green Card.
Through Other Categories, you can get a Green Card.
Green Card is obtained through the Registry.
How to Obtain a Green Card :
There are two questions you should answer before beginning the application process. The majority of persons who apply for a Green Card must fill out two forms: an immigration petition and a Green Card application (Form I-485).
Although you may be entitled to apply for yourself in some situations, you will almost always need someone else to file the petition for you (also known as sponsoring or petitioning for you). The following are the most prevalent types.
Processes and Procedures for Obtaining a Green Card:
There will be particular stages and procedures to follow for each Green Card category. The following are some general processes and procedures to assist you in applying while in the United States (known as “adjustment of status”) or while abroad (known as “consular processing”).
Check to see if you qualify for permanent residency. Before you apply for your Green Card, be sure you meet all of the requirements.
Immigrants who wish to obtain a Green Card in the United States must first adjust their status to that of a permanent resident.
When immigrants are outside the United States or ineligible to modify status in the United States, they use consular processing to obtain their Green Card.
Someone may need to file a petition for you if you are applying for a Green Card through job, family, or as a special immigrant. When you file an immigrant petition at the same time as your Green Card application, this is known as concurrent filing. Find out what concurrent filing is and which categories are qualified to file simultaneously.
In general, you must first obtain a visa before applying for a Green Card. Visas are always available in some categories, but only a limited number are accessible in others. Immigrants in line for an immigrant visa are granted priority dates, which decide when a visa becomes available. Learn how to tell if you qualify for a visa.
Find out if and when you can travel outside of the United States after applying for a Green Card or after receiving one. You can also get information on how to apply for advance parole, a Refugee Travel Document, or a re-entry permission.
Find out if you qualify for work authorization in the United States and how to get an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
A medical exam is required for the majority of Green Card applications. Learn who is required to complete a medical exam as well as the documents and procedures that must be followed
When you apply for a Green Card or an immigrant visa, a sponsor files an affidavit of support on your behalf. Before becoming a permanent resident of the United States, it is required for some (but not all) types of immigration. The goal of the form is to demonstrate that you have the financial resources to live in the United States without relying on government assistance or benefits.
Most immigrants must demonstrate that they will not become a public charge to obtain a Green Card. Find out more about the public charge.
Whether you are eligible for a Green Card as a “kid” depends on your age. The Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) allows some children who have reached the age of majority (21 years or older) after an immigrant petition has been filed to apply for a Green Card through their parents.
All permanent residents receive a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) as verification of their right to live and work in the United States. You must have a valid Green Card in your possession at all times if you are a permanent resident aged 18 or older.
Our attorney company gives you a fast rundown of the most critical things you should complete before applying for your Green Card.