A green card (or as it’s more formally known, a United States Lawful Permanent Residency Card) is an official legal document that authorizes individuals to live and work in the United States indefinitely. It is the first significant step towards achieving U.S. citizenship, granting holders a multitude of benefits and opportunities.
There are several ways to get a green card, depending on the applicant’s circumstances and qualifications. Here are some of the most common roads to a green card and permanent residency in the United States.
Green Card through Family
The most common way to obtain a green card is through family sponsorship. Those who are already U.S. citizens can petition for their family members(including spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21) to come to the U.S. and live here permanently. Immediate relatives are exempt from quotas and typically have the fastest path to lawful residence. Other relatives fall into preference categories, where a limited number of applicants per category per year may receive a green card. The higher the preference, the shorter the waiting time.
Green Card through Marriage
Another way to get a green card is through marriage to a current U.S. citizen. The process involves filing an immigrant visa petition and, if approved, the foreign spouse may receive a green card. It’s important to note that in cases of divorce, the green card holder may still qualify for U.S. citizenship, but USCIS may closely scrutinize the marriage and divorce to ensure the marriage was genuine.
Green Card through Employment
Another common path to a green card is through employment sponsorship. Prospective immigrants may obtain a green card when offered permanent employment in the U.S. The employer must first obtain a PERM Labor Certification, which can be complex. If you are an employer looking to sponsor an employee for a green card, an immigration lawyer can help you navigate the process.
Admissibility and Procedure
The process for obtaining a green card varies depending on whether you are already in the U.S. on a temporary visa or seeking entry to the country. In this case, an immigration lawyer will work with you to submit the initial admissibility requirements and guide you through the steps to obtain lawful residence in the United States.
At Herbert Immigration Law, we understand the complexities of the immigration process and are committed to helping you achieve your goal of obtaining a green card. Contact our law office at (555) 802-1234 or click here to set up a consultation and begin your journey towards permanent residency in the United States.
