Step by step process of applying for Green Card in USA
Many professionals and others from around the world dream of holding a green card. The process of obtaining a green card may be quite tough if you do not know how to go about it. Also, most people face barriers and obstacles in their quest to get a green card. Read on to know about the various steps in the process of obtaining a green card.
What is a Green card?
A green card is an authorization card provided by the USCIS – United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to an individual. Possession of the card allows you to live and also work in the United States permanently. The Green card is also said to be the Permanent Resident card or an Alien registration card.
Validity of a Green card
Usually the card is valid for a period of 10 years. If it is about to expire, you need to renew it to continue staying in the US. On the other hand, if you would like to become a citizen of the United States, you would have to apply for citizenship of US. You can apply for citizenship only after holding a green card for a minimum of 5 years.
Who can get a green card?
1.Those with an existing green card want to replace or renew the card
2.If you have married a citizen of US – Heterosexual marriage or Same sex marriage
3.When you are sponsored by a family member in the USA
4.Those living in USA on immigration visa.
5.If you have a conditional green card and want to apply to remove the conditions
6.Through Green card lottery system
7.When sponsored by employer for employment based Green card.
Step by step process of applying for Green Card in USA
1.Check your eligibility:
Eligibility for the permanent resident card is based on several factors. A list of the factors that make you eligible are listed here.
A. If you are a Family member of US citizen
B. Immigrant workers are eligible to apply for green card
C. Special immigrant eligibility for religious workers and nationals of specific countries or organizations.
D .Other categories of those who were given asylum in the US or refugees are eligible. Also, those with T non immigrant visa (Human trafficking victim) or a U non immigrant visa (Crime victim).
E.Victims of abuse are also eligible for naturalization in the US.
F.Those selected under the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program can also apply for the card.
For more details on eligibility for Green card, read this article: Eligibility for Green Card
2.Adjustment of Status
This application for adjustment of status can be done by those already in USA on other visas. There needs to be a petition forwarded by an employer or relatives on your behalf. Along with this petition, you need to submit the application. The different petitions that can be used and the form numbers are listed here.
Form I-130 is a sponsorship petition for an Alien Relative
Form I-140 is an Immigrant Petition for an Alien Worker
The Form I-730 is a Refugee/Asylee Petition
Form I-589 is an application for Asylum.
Form I-360 is a petition for Amerasian or a Widow(er) and Special Immigrant
The Form I-526 is an Immigrant Petition for an Alien Entrepreneur
Form I-918 can be used as a Petition by U Nonimmigrant Status
Form I-929 is a Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1 Nonimmigrant
While filing the above petitions, you can ask if the form I-485 can be filed along with it. If you can, then you can do so.
3.Consular Processing
This process is for those who are applying for green card from outside the USA. The various steps in this method of applying for green card are listed here.
A. Determine Your Basis to Immigrate
B. File an immigration petition
C. A decision on your petition will be made and then you can wait for the national visa centre to send a notification.
D. Go for the appointment and if there are any changes, you can notify the national visa centre
E. You will be able to get your visa and then the green card.
4.Concurrent Filing
Concurrent filing is the process of applying for a green card with all documents at the same time. This makes the processing faster and your permanent resident card will be issued earlier. Concurrent filing can be done only on special occasions by certain people on specific visas. It is not available all the time for all types of visas. Concurrent filing can be done by relatives of citizens of US, victims of abuse from family of US citizens and immigrant visa applicants where there is availability of immigrant visa number.
In Concurrent filing, the I-485 form and green card application are filed at the same time with other documents and required fees.
5.File form I-485
Form I-485 can be filed only if you are an immigrant in the US who is eligible for change of status from temporary to permanent resident. This form can be downloaded from the USCIS website and filled in completely before submission.
6.Visa Availability & Priority Dates
U.S. Department of State (DOS) will allocate the different immigrant visas. Usually there is a cap on the number of visas issued in each category. The family-sponsored visas given out are 226,000. The employment-based visas are usually given to 140,000 people per year. If the previous year’s allocation is not used, it may be given out the next year.
The priority date for your visa is available on Form I-797, which is the Notice of Action. The time period for getting the adjusting status or the immigrant visa depends on the following factors.
1.Demand for immigrant visas in that year.
2.Limitations on visas issued per country
3.Number of visas allocated for your preference category.
If all the above processes are done correctly, then your petition may be given initial approval, pending interview. If approved, you will need to go and get your biometrics captured. After this, you will need to appear for an interview, which will help the USCIS make the final decision of your green card application.
