How To Get A Green Card
What is a green card?
Officially known as a “permanent resident card,” a green card is a form of identification used in the United States that is proof of permanent residency in the country. Any person who owns a green card is formally known as a “lawful permanent resident,” and can indefinitely live and work in the U.S.
How to Apply for A Green Card
The USCIS outlines
how to apply for a green card on their website, but in a nutshell, this process includes five steps:
- You will need to have someone file an immigrant petition (or sponsor) for you. There are some cases where you can do this yourself.
- Once this petition is approved, and there is a visa available in the category particular to your situation, you will then need to file either a Green Card application with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or a visa application with the U.S. Department of State.
- From there, you will need to schedule and arrive at a biometrics appointment, where you will have your fingerprints, photos, and signature taken.
- After that, you will go to an interview, where your application will be reviewed and you will be asked a number of questions in regards to your citizenship.
- Then you wait until you get an official decision on your application.
How long does it take to get a green card?
There are many factors that affect how long it takes to get a green card. Depending on what type of green card you’re applying for, what office location you are using, and other related things, the wait time for your green card will vary. If you are applying for a Family Preference Green Card, wait time and yearly caps can make the process span anywhere from 1 to 10 years. If you are applying for an Employment Based Green Card, the average demand of the visa can have the wait time spanning anywhere between 1 to 6 years.
How much is a green card?
Depending on what green card you get, the price you have to pay will vary. Marriage Green Cards, Family Preference Green Cards, and Employment Based Green Cards all have their own filing fees, legal fees, and costs for supporting documentation that should be considered.
How to Check Your Green Card Status
After you have submitted the proper paperwork and paid the appropriate fees, the rest of the green card application process is a waiting game. You can check the status of of your green card at any time one of two ways, depending on your situation:
- If you have applied while living in the U.S., you can use your “Receipt Number” to check your status online with the USCIS “Case Status Online” tracker.
- If you have applied while living outside the U.S., you will need to use your “Immigrant Visa Case Number” and go online to the NVC’s “Consular Electronic Application Center” (CEAC). From here, you will navigate to the “Check My Visa Application Status” option and fill out the form with your information.
Do green cards expire?
Some green cards have no expiration date, but most will be good for 10 years. Those with “conditional permanent resident status” will need to renew their card every 2 years. Your green card should clearly show when it expires, so you shouldn’t have to worry about the expiration date surprising you out of the blue.
How to Renew A Green Card
When it is time to renew your green card, or if you need to replace your green card for whatever reason, you can visit www.uscis.gov and navigate to Form I-90, the Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. The site and application will contain all of the instructions you need for proper filing procedures.
Find A Green Card Lawyer Near You
Most green card application processes require you to have a green card lawyer. This legal official can help you navigate the complicated ordeal of getting a green card. If you are looking for a dependable green card immigration lawyer, The Law Offices of Malvern C. Burnett APLC can help you. We offer a variety of green card attorney services, including
employment based permanent residence and
family petitions.
If you are wondering, “where can I find a green card lawyer near me?” look no further than The Law Offices of Malvern C. Burnett APLC. Our team of experienced immigration attorneys can help you with your green card process. Contact us today to learn more: (800) 208-8472
