Green Card Application

United States Green Card General Information: United States Permanent Residence is one of the most sought-after legal statuses in the world today. A lawful permanent resident status also means the possession of a green card. Green Card is the unofficial term for the Alien Registration Card, which years ago were green in color (though they are now mostly white). It is a common misconception that green cards are nothing more than work permits. While green cards do allow employment in the United States when and where the holder wishes, the green card’s main function is to identify the holder as a permanent resident of the United States. A permanent resident of the United States is given many rights including permanently living and working anywhere in the United States as well as enjoying a majority of other benefits given to US Citizens.

There are a number of categories to apply for green cards. In some of the categories, a prospective applicant is immediately eligible for a green card while in other categories, he or she must wait until one is available. The categories are 1: Green Card through Relatives, 2: Green Card through Adoption, 3: Green Card through Employment, 4: Green Card through Investment, 5: Refugees and Political Asylees, and 6: the Green Card Lottery.

The process to procure a Green Card is probably one of the most difficult, confusing, time-consuming, and costly immigration procedures. The United States Immigration Organization Green Card Application Guide provides a complete and in-depth layout of the whole green card application process for each respective category. The requirements for each category and a well-laid structure for each prospective to determine which category he or she should apply for is included as well. Note that each category has its own intricate relationship web and semi-categories which each possessing different requirements and processing times. It’s important to apply through a category that will minimize the application processing and maximize the chances of success. The United States Immigration Organization Green Card Application Guide will provide the reader a detailed guideline in the whole application process from start to finish. All the requisite forms and materials are included.

Green Card Application – Additional Information:

As stated above, there are a number of categories one might try to qualify for in order to apply for a green card. In many cases, a prospective applicant qualifies for multiple categories. For example, he or she might hold an in-demand advanced degree and therefore qualifies for an employment-based green card in the EB-2 preference category. At the same time, he or she is also the child of a United States Citizen and thus qualifies for a green card through a relative in either immediate relative category or the family first preference category. Depending on age and his occupation, the prospective applicant might have an easier time applier for one or the other. For example, if the applicant is under the age of 21, he or she qualifies for the immediate relative category. An unlimited amount of green cards can be issued per year on this category. On the other hand, if the prospective applicant is over the age of 21 and possesses an advanced degree and expertise in a field that is of the National Interest of the United States, it is best to follow the route of a green card through employment.

These are just one of the dozens of possible conflicts when choosing how to apply for a green card. To mitigate confusion and plan the best course of action, please download Green Card Application Guide.

The benefits of possessing a Green Card:

1. Green Card Holders have the right to live wherever in the United States permanently.
2. Green Card Holders can be employed whenever and wherever in the United States.
3. Green Card Holders have the freedom to travel outside the United States to a place of their choice for a certain period of time.
4. After a certain number of time and if the Green Card Holder meets several requirements, he or she is eligible to apply for naturalization and become a United States Citizen.
5. Green Card Holders are allowed to petition for their spouses and unmarried children to come to the United States.