Every foreign national who dreams of moving to the U.S to live and work there permanently must acquire a Green Card. There are many ways to become a permanent resident of the U.S, but not all of them are easy, and it is time-consuming. One must know all the processes on how to apply for the Green Card.
Here are some guides on how to get a U.S Green Card.
Knowing the type of Visa
Any person who is not a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States must have a visa first even before they can enter the country. There are two types of visas that foreign people apply for when they wish to enter the U.S: the non-immigrant visa and immigrant visa.
People who wish to enter the country for just a short period like tourists, students, business persons, or those who will have to go under treatment apply for a non-immigrant visa. Employees or contractors who need to work in the country for some time also have this type of visa.
Immigrant visas are for those who wish to apply for a permanent residency. They apply for this type of visa with the idea and plan of acquiring a Green Card as the next step. Also, possessing an immigrant visa would be a faster way to acquire a Green Card compared to a non-immigrant visa, which can sometimes be difficult.
Although it may seem complicated, it doesn’t mean that you could no longer apply for a Green Card if you have a non-immigrant visa, there are still some eligibility that you need to know. For example, foreign workers who have wished to apply for a permanent residency can still do, you can see this page for more details.
Identifying which category you should apply for
Once you have already processed and possessed the right visa to apply for your Green Card, the next thing to do is to know what category will you be under before you file a petition for being a permanent resident. There are many categories, but here are some of the most common ones that most immigrants have applied for.
Family Green Card – this is the most popular, easiest, and fastest way to acquire a Green Card. You need a member of your family to petition for you.
Employment Green Card – this has many factors to consider and might be a bit tedious since this category is quite broad. This does not only mean that you are an employee of a certain U.S based company, sometimes it can be because you have a specialized type of job.
Follow the process well.
Once you have already found out which category you fall into and how you can petition for your residence, then follow the next steps in the process. After your visa becomes available, you need to file all your necessary documents to the USCIS or United States Citizen and Immigration Services. When you have already filed your application, you need to wait patiently for your interview and complete all the processes that are required with your Green Card applications. Do not hesitate to ask questions and assistance from the staff in any case that some things might be confusing for you. During your interview, be at your best and also be presentable in front of the immigration officers.
While also waiting, make sure that you don’t let yourself get into trouble. Do not commit any crimes or do not involve in any illegal activities. It is also best not to travel outside the country while waiting for your visa.
Acquiring a Green Card may be tedious and takes time, but it’s all worthwhile once you get approved and receive your card that will be the key to becoming a permanent resident of the United States.