How To Get A Green Card: The Ultimate Guide
Are you someone who dreams of living in the United States? Do you want to enjoy the opportunities that this great country offers its residents? If yes, then getting a Green Card is an essential step towards achieving your dream. A Green Card is a permit that gives you permanent residency in the United States. With this, you can live, work and study in the US without any restrictions. In this article, we will help you in understanding the process of getting a Green Card and tell you how you can make it a reality.
What is a Green Card?
A Green Card, also known as a permanent resident card, allows you to legally reside and work in the United States permanently. With a Green Card, you can enjoy most of the rights as a US citizen, such as the right to live and work in any state, the right to open a bank account, the right to start a business, and several other benefits. A Green Card holder is also eligible to apply for US citizenship after a specific period, which we will discuss later in this article.
Types of Green Cards
There are different types of Green Cards. The eligibility criteria for each Green Card differs based on factors such as your profession, family relationship with a US citizen or Green Card holder, your investment capacity, etc. Here are some of the common types of Green Cards:
1. Family-Based Green Card – If you have a US citizen or Green Card holder family member, such as a spouse, parent, sibling, or child, you may be eligible for a family-based Green Card.
2. Employment-Based Green Card – If you have a job offer from a US employer, you may be eligible for an employment-based Green Card. The requirement for employment-based Green Cards is that the employer must prove that no qualified US citizen is willing or available to do the job. There are different categories of employment-based Green Cards based on your profession, including EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, and EB-5.
3. Diversity Visa – The Diversity Visa, also known as the Green Card Lottery, is a program that randomly selects applicants who belong to countries that have low immigration rates to the United States.
4. Humanitarian Green Card – If you are a refugee, asylee, or are facing persecution in your home country, you may be eligible for a humanitarian Green Card.
5. Other Green Cards – Some other types of Green Cards include the Cuban Adjustment Act, the Military Green Card, the Amerasian Green Card, and others.
The Green Card application process
The Green Card application process can be complex and time-consuming. It requires you to follow several steps and provide accurate and complete information during your application. Here are the steps to follow to apply for a Green Card:
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Before you apply for a Green Card, you must check if you are eligible for one. If you are unsure about your eligibility, you can use the USCIS online eligibility quiz to determine your eligibility.
Step 2: Choose the Appropriate Category of Green Card
Based on your eligibility, you need to select the correct category of Green Card while filing Form I-485, which is the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. The form is available online, and you can complete it digitally.
Step 3: File Form I-130 (if applying for a family-based Green Card)
If you are applying for a family-based Green Card, you must file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. This form establishes that your US citizen or Green Card holder family member is sponsoring you for the Green Card. This form is also available online.
Step 4: Attend Biometric Appointment
Once you file your application, you will need to attend a biometric appointment at an Application Support Center. The appointment entails taking your fingerprints, photograph, and signature. These details are used for background check purposes.
Step 5: Attend Interview
After your biometric appointment, USCIS will schedule an interview to determine your eligibility. You must be present on the scheduled date and time.
Step 6: Receive Your Green Card
If your application is approved, you will receive your Green Card by mail.
The Green Card Application Fees
The cost of a Green Card application varies based on the type of Green Card you are applying for. Here are the application fees for the most common Green Cards:
– Family-Based Green Card: The filing fee is $535.00, while the petition fee ranges from $535.00 to $910.00.
– Employment-Based Green Card: The filing fee is $700.00, while the petition fee ranges from $1,140.00 to $4,300.00.
– Diversity Visa: There is no cost to apply for the lottery program.
– Humanitarian Green Card: There is no filing fee.
– Other Green Cards: The fees for other Green Cards vary.
It is essential to note that the fees listed above are subject to change by the USCIS.
Processing Times for Green Cards
The processing time for a Green Card varies based on the type of Green Card and the USCIS processing center you submitted your application to. Here are the approximate processing times for the most common Green Cards:
– Family-Based Green Card: The processing time for this Green Card typically takes between six months to several years, depending on the country of origin and USCIS processing center.
– Employment-Based Green Card: This Green Card can take between six months to several years, depending on the category of the employment-based Green Card, the country of origin, and the USCIS processing center.
– Diversity Visa: The application period for this Green Card is typically from October to November each year. The results are announced the following year, and selected individuals are informed.
– Humanitarian Green Card: Processing times for humanitarian Green Cards vary.
– Other Green Cards: Processing times for other Green Card categories vary.
Green Card Renewal
A Green Card typically expires after ten years. Therefore, you will need to renew your Green Card before the expiration date to continue enjoying the benefits of being a permanent resident. Here are the steps to follow to renew your Green Card:
Step 1: File Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card)
To renew your Green Card, you will need to file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. The form is available online.
Step 2: Submit Biometrics
After filing your Form I-90, USCIS will schedule a biometric appointment to take your fingerprints, photograph, and signature.
Step 3: Attend Interview
After submitting your biometrics, you will attend an interview to confirm your eligibility for the Green Card renewal.
Step 4: Receive Your New Green Card
If your application is approved, you will receive your new Green Card by mail.
Green Card to Citizenship
A Green Card holder is eligible to apply for US citizenship after five years of holding the Green Card. If you are married to a US citizen, you are eligible to apply for US citizenship after three years of holding the Green Card. Here are the basic steps to follow to apply for US citizenship:
Step 1: Determine your eligibility
Before applying for US citizenship, you need to check if you meet the eligibility requirements. You can check the eligibility requirements on the USCIS website.
Step 2: File Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization)
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you need to file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. The form is available online and is a lengthy application with a regular application fee of $725 (as of June 2021).
Step 3: Attend Biometric Appointment
After filing Form N-400, USCIS will schedule a biometric appointment.
Step 4: Attend Interview
After your biometric appointment, USCIS will schedule an interview to determine your eligibility for US citizenship.
Step 5: Attend Citizenship Ceremony
If your application is approved, you will be required to attend a citizenship ceremony, where you pledge allegiance to the United States and take an oath of citizenship.
Conclusion
Obtaining a Green Card can be a lengthy and complex process. However, the benefits of obtaining a Green Card and becoming a permanent resident in the United States can be life-changing. The steps outlined in this guide provide an overview of the Green Card application process. By following the process and being patient, you can achieve your dream of becoming a permanent resident in the United States.
To get a green card, one will most likely have to submit an application with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. There are many types of a USA greencard for which one can apply. The primary ways to get a green card include applying for a green card through family members who are American residents or citizens, applying for a green card through a job, and applying for a green card as a refugee or as a seeker of asylum.
There are a number of other ways to get a green card, however, including getting a USA greencard through the Diversity Immigration Visa Program, getting a green card for an Armed Forces member, getting a green card for a special immigrant juvenile, and getting a green card as a foreign diplomat.
Applying for any of these types of USA greencard will be a slightly different process, as the application for each is slightly different and has different requirements. For example, to get a green card through a family member with a spouse holding US residency being the family member in question, an individual would have to be able to provide concrete legal documentation of the marriage, and would still only get a conditional USA greencard, instead of a full USA greencard.
The different applications for obtaining a USA greencard are all available on the website for the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. To get a green card, an individual must select and fill out the proper application, and must then submit or file that application with the proper authorities. An application to get a green card may also be submitted online in some instances.
