Getting a green card while awaiting citizenship is a topic of great significance, particularly for immigrants who are actively seeking legal permanent residency in the United States. A green card confers lawful, permanent residency status upon its holder and enables them to live and work in the United States indefinitely. However, the process of obtaining a green card is often complex and time-consuming, and navigating the application process while awaiting citizenship can be especially challenging. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about obtaining a green card while awaiting citizenship, including the eligibility requirements, the application process, and potential challenges that you may face.
What is a Green Card?
A green card, also known as a permanent residency card, is an identification document that certifies an individual’s permanent resident status in the United States. The green card holder is officially known as a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) and is authorized to live, work, and study within the country.
Green cards are issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and are granted based on several factors, including family relationships, employment, refugee or asylum status, and the diversity visa lottery program.
Eligibility Requirements for a Green Card
To be eligible for a green card, a person must meet one of the following criteria:
Family-Based Green Cards: If an individual has a close family member (such as a spouse, parent, child, or sibling) who is a U.S. citizen or LPR and is willing to sponsor them for a green card, they may be eligible to receive one.
Employment-Based Green Cards: Green card applicants can receive a visa through employment, provided that they have a job offer from a U.S. employer.
Refugee or Asylum Green Cards: Individuals who have fled their home countries due to persecution or fear of persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group may apply for a green card as a refugee or asylee.
Diversity Visa Lottery Program: Each year, the U.S. government provides a limited number of green cards via a random lottery to applicants from countries with historically low rates of U.S. immigration.
In addition to meeting one of the above criteria, green card applicants must have a clean criminal record, pass a medical examination, and demonstrate financial stability or have a sponsor who can support them.
Can You Get a Green Card While Awaiting Citizenship?
The answer is yes. An individual can apply for and receive a green card while awaiting citizenship. In fact, many LPRs begin the green card application process to become eligible for citizenship in the future.
Applying for a Green Card While Awaiting Citizenship
The Green Card application process involves filling out a variety of forms, submitting required documents and going through an interview process. Here’s what’s required of you:
1. Determine your eligibility: Confirm your eligibility for a green card based on your current situation.
2. Fill out the necessary forms: The USCIS website provides detailed forms for each category of green card, and all applicants must complete the Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
3. Submit supporting documents: Applicants must also submit supporting documents with their application, including a government-issued ID, birth certificate, passport, I-94 arrival/departure record, and proof of financial support or a sponsoring employer.
4. Attend a biometrics appointment: Applicants will need to attend a biometrics appointment, where they will have their fingerprints taken and their photo captured.
5. Attend an interview: After submitting the application and supporting documents, applicants will receive an interview notice. The interview will determine the outcome of the green card application.
Potential Challenges When Obtaining a Green Card While Awaiting Citizenship
Obtaining a green card while awaiting citizenship is not easy, and there are several challenges that applicants may face. Here are some common hurdles to be aware of.
1. Wait Time: Depending on your category of eligibility, the wait time for a green card can range anywhere from several months to several years.
2. Financial Hardship: Green card applicants must meet strict financial requirements and demonstrate they have enough money to support themselves and their families, potentially causing financial hardship.
3. Denial: Green card applications are frequently denied despite their sponsorship by the USCIS, which has the final say on all applications. Sometimes, applicants or their attorneys must take their applications to an immigration court for resolution.
4. Immigration Lawyer Fees: Hiring an immigration lawyer to assist you with the application process can be expensive, with fees ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 or more.
5. Changes in Law and Regulations: Changes in the law and regulations can have a significant impact on green card applications. Applicants must stay informed about any changes and spoken to an immigration attorney who is up-to-date on the most recent regulations.
Conclusion
Acquiring a green card is an essential step on the road to becoming a U.S. citizen and obtaining legal permanent residency in the United States. However, navigating the green card application process while awaiting citizenship can be a difficult task, with many challenges and hurdles to overcome. By staying informed about the application requirements and potential challenges, and by seeking support from experienced immigration attorneys or advocates, green card applicants can improve their chances of success and move closer to their goal of becoming a lawful, permanent resident of the United States.
U.S Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is the official website where you can get more information on the topic.
What is a Green Card?
A Green Card is official documentation that permits a non-citizen to reside within the United States on a permanent basis in lieu of permanent citizenship.
How to Get a Green Card While Awaiting Citizenship?
Green Card While Awaiting Citizenship Through Marriage:
The completion of form I-485; an application to adjust the status of residency from temporary to permanency.
The completion of a K-1 form; a form that substantiates that the fiancé plans on legally marrying a United States citizen and plans to enter America to do so.
The completion of form G-325A form; this form provides official documentation, report, and record of the non-citizen’s biographical information
The completion of from I-130 form; a petition for entry into the United States by means of legal and lawful marriage.
