Last Updated on March 16, 2024 by Jawad Ali
A green card is an identification card that proves that a person is a lawful permanent resident of the United States. Green cards are also sometimes called Permanent Resident Cards or Alien Registration Cards. Once a person has a green card, they can live and work in the United States indefinitely.
They can also travel in and out of the country without any restrictions. If green card holders want to become U.S. citizens, they can do so after living in the country for a certain period. The U.S. government issues green cards to people who meet certain eligibility requirements, such as having a family member who is already a U.S. citizen or employed by a U.S. company.
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What is a green card, and how to obtain one?
The United States issues more immigrant visas than any other country. Foreign nationals must first apply for a green card to obtain an immigrant visa. Green cards are issued to individuals who have been granted lawful permanent residence in the United States. There are several ways to obtain a green card, including sponsorship by a family member or employer, investment in a U.S. business, or through asylum status.
The most common way to obtain a green card is through family sponsorship. Foreign nationals with a spouse, parent, or child who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident can apply for a green card. Individuals a family member sponsors must undergo an extensive vetting process, including an interview and background check. Employment sponsorship is another common way to obtain a green card.
Foreign nationals who a U.S. employer has offered a job can apply for an employment-based immigrant visa. In order to qualify, the applicant must demonstrate that they have the skills and qualifications necessary to fill the position. Investment in a U.S. business is another way to obtain a green card. Investors who make an investment of at least $1 million in a U.S. business can apply for an immigrant visa. The investment must create at least ten full-time jobs for U.S workers. Finally, foreign nationals who have been persecuted in their home country can apply for asylum status in the United States.
Asylum seekers must demonstrate that they have a well-founded fear of persecution on account of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. If you are interested in obtaining a green card, be sure to consult with an experienced immigration lawyer who can help you navigate the process and ensure that you meet all of the eligibility requirements.”
Secrets to getting a green card
Have a family member who is already a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
One of the best ways to obtain a green card is to have a close family member who is already a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. If you are married to a U.S. citizen, for example, you will likely be able to obtain a green card relatively easily.
The same is true if you have close relatives who are U.S. citizens or green card holders. In general, the closer your relationship is to the U.S. citizen or green card holder, the easier it will be to obtain a green card through that individual. If your petitioner does not meet the minimum income requirements, consider obtaining a joint sponsor to get your green card approved.
Have valuable skills
Another way to increase your chances of obtaining a green card is to have valuable skills or experience that would be beneficial to the United States. If you are an experienced doctor or engineer, for example, you may be able to obtain a green card through an employment-based visa program.
Get a job offer from a U.S. employer.
One of the best ways to get a green card is to have a job offer from a U.S. employer. There are a few different visa programs that allow workers to come to the United States to work, and most of them require that the worker have an offer of employment from a U.S. employer.
The most common visas are the H-1B visa for skilled workers, the L-1 visa for executives and managers, and the E-3 visa for Australian citizens. If you have a job offer from a U.S. employer, you should contact an experienced immigration lawyer to help you navigate the visa application process. Even if you already have a job offer, there are many other requirements that you will need to meet to obtain a green card.
Invest in a U.S. business
By making an investment of at least $500,000 in a qualified business, you will be able to obtain what is known as an EB-5 visa.
This visa category is specifically for investors, and it offers a number of benefits. First, there is no need to go through the labor certification process, which can be time-consuming and expensive. Second, you can obtain permanent residency status for yourself and your immediate family members.
Finally, if you make a successful investment, you will eventually be eligible for citizenship. While there are no guarantees in any immigration process, investing in a U.S. business is one of the quickest and most straightforward ways to obtain a green card.
Apply for asylum status in the United States
One way to obtain a green card is to apply for asylum status in the United States. To be eligible for asylum, an individual must demonstrate that they have a well-founded fear of persecution on account of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
If an individual is granted asylum, they will be allowed to live and work in the United States indefinitely. In addition, they may eventually be eligible for U.S. citizenship.
Consult with an experienced immigration lawyer
If you are interested in obtaining a green card, be sure to consult with an experienced immigration lawyer who can help you navigate the process and ensure that you meet all of the eligibility requirements. Ruby Powers Law has years of experience helping people from all over the world obtain their green cards. Contact us today for a free consultation to see how we can help you.
