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Get a Green Card Through Job

Get a Green Card Through Job

Have Your Job Get You a Green Card

The United States is the land of opportunity, and it is no wonder that so many people want to immigrate to the country. One of the ways to obtain legal permanent residency in the United States is through a green card. A green card is a document that permits an individual to live and work permanently in the United States. There are several ways to obtain a green card, and one of the most common ways is through employment. This article will explore the process of obtaining a green card through employment, the various categories of employment based green cards, and the eligibility requirements for each category.

The Process of Obtaining a Green Card through Employment

The process of obtaining a green card through employment begins with an employer who sponsors the employee. The employer must first submit a labor certification to the Department of Labor (DOL) to verify that there are no qualified U.S. workers available to fill the position. The employer must then file an immigrant petition on behalf of the employee with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If the petition is approved, the employee can proceed with the green card application process.

The green card application process involves submitting a form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to USCIS. This form is used to apply for permanent residency in the United States. The applicant must also submit supporting documents, such as a birth certificate, passport, and evidence of employment. USCIS will also conduct a background check and require the applicant to undergo a medical exam. If the green card application is approved, the applicant will receive a green card, which permits them to live and work permanently in the United States.

Employment-Based Green Cards

There are several categories of employment-based green cards, each with its own set of eligibility requirements. The categories are:

EB-1: Priority Workers
EB-2: Professionals with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability
EB-3: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers
EB-4: Special Immigrants
EB-5: Immigrant Investors

EB-1: Priority Workers

The EB-1 category is reserved for individuals who are considered priority workers. This category includes three subcategories:

– EB-1A: Individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
– EB-1B: Outstanding professors and researchers.
– EB-1C: Executives and managerial personnel of multinational companies.

In order to qualify for the EB-1 category, the applicant must have a job offer from a U.S. employer and meet the criteria for one of the subcategories. The applicant must provide evidence of their extraordinary ability, outstanding research or teaching record, or executive or managerial experience.

EB-2: Professionals with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability

The EB-2 category is for professionals who have advanced degrees or exceptional ability in their field. The eligibility requirements for this category are:

– The applicant must have a job offer from a U.S. employer.
– The job must require an advanced degree or the equivalent in a specific field.
– The applicant must have a degree or its equivalent, or provide evidence of exceptional ability in their field.

EB-3: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers

The EB-3 category is for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers who do not qualify for the EB-1 or EB-2 categories. The eligibility requirements for this category are:

– The applicant must have a job offer from a U.S. employer.
– The job must require at least two years of experience or training.
– The applicant must meet the minimum education requirements for the job or provide evidence of qualifying experience.

EB-4: Special Immigrants

The EB-4 category is for special immigrants, which includes:

– Religious workers
– Employees of U.S. foreign service posts
– Employees of international organizations in the United States
– Juvenile dependents of juvenile courts
– Iraqi and Afghan translators and interpreters

The eligibility requirements for this category vary depending on the type of special immigrant.

EB-5: Immigrant Investors

The EB-5 category is for immigrant investors who invest in a new commercial enterprise in the United States. The eligibility requirements for this category are:

– The applicant must invest $1 million, or $500,000 in a targeted employment area, in a new commercial enterprise that will create at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
– The applicant must be actively involved in the management of the enterprise.

The EB-5 category is a popular way for wealthy individuals to obtain a green card, as it does not require a job offer from a U.S. employer.

Eligibility Requirements for Employment-Based Green Cards

In addition to the eligibility requirements for each category of employment-based green cards, there are general eligibility requirements that apply to all categories. These requirements are:

– The applicant must have a job offer from a U.S. employer.
– The employer must have obtained a labor certification from the DOL.
– The intent to immigrate to the United States must be to work for the sponsoring employer.

In some cases, the applicant may be able to self-petition for a green card if they meet certain eligibility requirements. For example, individuals with extraordinary ability in their field may be able to self-petition for an EB-1A green card.

Conclusion

Obtaining a green card through employment is a popular way for individuals to live and work permanently in the United States. The process involves obtaining a job offer from a U.S. employer and meeting the eligibility requirements for one of the employment-based green card categories. The eligibility requirements vary depending on the category, but generally include having a job offer from a U.S. employer and meeting minimum education or experience requirements. With the right qualifications and job offer, obtaining a green card through employment can be a viable way to achieve permanent residency in the United States.


Green Cards and Preference Based Eligibility: The Complete Guide

A Green Card, also known as a Permanent Resident Card, is a document issued by the U.S. government that allows individuals to permanently live and work in the United States. Green cards are highly sought-after, and the eligibility criteria for obtaining one is complex and based on a preference system. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Green Cards and preference-based eligibility.

What is a Green Card?

A Green Card is a legal document that gives non-citizens the right to live and work permanently in the United States. The name “”Green Card”” comes from the color of the card, which for many years had a green hue, although the card has since changed to a more secure, tamper-resistant design that no longer resembles a traditional card.

Green Cards are issued to individuals who meet certain eligibility criteria and who intend to permanently reside in the U.S. Eligible individuals are typically sponsored by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or they may be eligible based on certain qualifying criteria.

There are several ways to obtain a Green Card, including family sponsorship, employment-based sponsorship, or diversity visa lottery. However, the eligibility criteria for each method differ and are based on a preference system.

What are the eligibility criteria for a Green Card?

The eligibility criteria for a Green Card are complex, and they depend on the preference system that governs the visa category. There are several categories of Green Card preferences, with each based on the immigrant’s relationship to the sponsor or the individual’s employment eligibility.

Family-Based Sponsorship

U.S. citizens and permanent residents can sponsor certain family members for Green Cards. The eligible family members include spouses, unmarried children under 21 years of age, parents, and siblings.

Employment-Based Sponsorship

Individuals who are eligible for employment-based sponsorship include those who are skilled workers, professionals, or who have the necessary education and experience to qualify for certain jobs within the United States. In addition, individuals who have extraordinary ability in their field of work, as well as certain immigrants who wish to invest capital in the U.S., are also eligible for employment-based sponsorship.

Diversity Visa Lottery

The Diversity Visa Lottery allows individuals from countries with historically low immigration rates to apply for a Green Card. To be eligible for the Diversity Visa Lottery, individuals must have a high school diploma or equivalent or at least two years of work experience within the last five years in a profession that requires at least two years of training or experience.

Preference System

The Green Card preference system prioritizes immigrants based on their relationship to the sponsor or their employment eligibility. The preference system is designed to give preference to spouses, minor children, and parents for permanent residency.

First Preference (EB-1): Individuals who have extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, and are considered exceptional in their field.

Second Preference (EB-2): Individuals who are professionals with an advanced degree, or individuals with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business. Also, individuals who are national interest waivers of the labor certification requirement.

Third Preference (EB-3): Skilled workers, professionals, and other workers. Skilled workers are those who have at least two years of job experience or training and are not seasonal or temporary workers. Professionals are those whose jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. university or college or its foreign equivalent. Other workers are those who don’t meet the definition of skilled workers or professionals, including unskilled or low-skilled workers.

Fourth Preference (EB-4): Special immigrants, including religious workers, certain Iraqi and Afghan translators, and others.

Fifth Preference (EB-5): Immigrant investors who invest in new commercial enterprises that create jobs in the U.S.

How to apply for a Green Card?

The application process to obtain a Green Card is lengthy and requires several steps, including the submission of various documents and forms. The application process varies depending on the category of eligibility. Below is a general outline of the steps required to obtain a Green Card.

Step 1: Obtain Initial Sponsorship

The first step to obtaining a Green Card is to obtain sponsorship from a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, depending on the preference category. Once the sponsor has agreed to sponsor the immigrant, they must file a petition on behalf of the immigrant with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Step 2: Wait for Approval of Petition

Once the petition is filed, the USCIS will review the application to determine if the immigrant meets the eligibility criteria for the particular preference category. If the petition is approved, the immigrant will receive a priority date, which is used to determine when the immigrant can apply for a Green Card.

Step 3: Apply for a Green Card

After the immigrant’s priority date becomes current, they can apply for a Green Card through either adjustment of status or consular processing. Adjustment of Status is the process of obtaining a U.S. Green Card while staying in the country. Consular Processing is the process of obtaining a U.S. Green Card while outside of the country, typically when living abroad.

Step 4: Attend Immigration Interview

Before the Green Card is granted, the applicant will attend an interview with the USCIS or the U.S. embassy or consulate. During the interview, officials will ask about the individual’s background and intentions while in the United States.

Step 5: Receive Green Card

If the immigrant’s application is approved, they will receive the Green Card shortly afterward.

What are the benefits of having a Green Card?

Holding a Green Card has several benefits for immigrants, including the right to live and work permanently in the United States. In addition, Green Card holders can travel outside the country for extended periods without losing their status, can sponsor certain family members for immigration, and are eligible for certain federal benefits such as social security and Medicare.

However, holding a Green Card also comes with certain responsibilities. Green Card holders are required to report any change in their address to the USCIS, maintain a permanent residence in the U.S., and obey all U.S. laws.

Conclusion

In conclusion, obtaining a Green Card is a complex and detailed process that requires careful consideration and preparation. To be eligible for the Green Card, applicants must meet specific immigrant categories such as family-based sponsorship, employment-based sponsorship, or the Diversity Visa Lottery. Once an individual is eligible, they must file a petition and wait for USCIS approval. Finally, they must attend an immigration interview to receive their Green Card. Green Card holders enjoy several benefits, including the right to live and work permanently in the United States and the ability to sponsor their family members for immigration.


Green card through permanent employment – A work visa is usually the requisite for moving forward with a job overseas whether going from the U.S. to another nation or vice-versa. Usually, an appeal can be made directly to an employer for a petition and secure a letter from that employer to expedite the visa review process.

As regards green cards, an appeal can be made to the employer as well to petition for a document that will allow for immigration to the United States. The employer will petition for the green card on behalf of the potential employee, filing Form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker, and also a certification from the Department of Labor.

Green card through foreign business – Green cards for foreign entrepreneurs are provided for under current immigration legislation, and are likely to be encouraged as long as businesspeople are also in the business of creating jobs for American workers. This is provided for under Form I-526, Petition for an Alien Entrepreneur. Under this idea, the green card will be a win-win proposition. America is currently at a crossroads with the creation of new jobs, trying to create them out of thin air and trying desperate not to lose them to outsourcing.

Green card through extraordinary ability – In the same way there is a visa classification designated for athletes, artists and entertainers of “extraordinary ability,” green card procedure tend to values the exceptional talent of famous, powerful earners. These kinds of Green cards are able to be petitioned for by application for a National Interest Waiver, as befits the name.

Green card through special category – Some specific categories of jobs are reserved green cards due to the essential nature of the service they provide. A great example of this is men and women who are useful in the United States’ initiative against terrorism for their ability to extract information from Afghan and Iraqi peoples. This is petitioned for under the the I-360 Special Immigrant form.