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By Vipul Jain
Are you a foreign grad working on a US visa and your next step is to apply for a green card? However, you do not have any information about it like its application, process, and types. Seeking guidance for that? Then you are on the right page. Here the blog is all about solving your queries. It consists of all the answers to your questions regarding the green card. So, start reading and know every small detail of your permanent resident card.
A green card or a permanent resident card is a card that consists of biographic information of an individual with its photo and fingerprint. In addition, it also carries the expiration date of the card issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It permits a foreign individual to live and work in the US indefinitely. Because at once the card was green in color it keeps its nickname till today. Another name for it is "Alien Registration Card" and "Form I-551."
The current color of the card is yellowish consisting of a magnetic barcode on the back which keeps the information of an individual. The green card contains an expiration date i.e. 10 years and needs to be renewed. However, the status of a green card holder as a "lawful permanent resident" remains valid unless it is revoked or abandoned by the US government.
This is a quick review of the green card with some information mentioned on it. Moving ahead, let's know the different types of it available for foreign individuals.
There are many different types of green cards available for individuals. Here we have stated the common ones that are as follows:
Under a family-based green card, the close relatives of US citizens and current green card holders may apply. The eligible members include parents, siblings, spouses, and children. It also involves the children and spouses of those adults, spouses, siblings, and children.
Apart from this widowers and widows who married a citizen of the US at the time the citizen died can also apply in this category. However, to get the green card they need to prove that their marriage was authentic. Also, extended family members like grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins do not qualify for this. They can only apply in this category if they are a close relative of the US citizen or current card holder.
Within this type of green card, several subcategories of employees can apply for permanent residency in the USA. Also in several cases, their spouses and children do qualify for permanently living in the country. Moving ahead, here the following table carries the subcategories and the job types that fall under them:
|
Category |
Jobs Involved |
|---|---|
|
Priority Employees (EB-1) |
|
|
Professional with exceptional skills and advanced degrees (EB-2) |
|
|
Physicians (EB-2 with a special waiver) |
Physicians who meet other eligibility criteria and agree to work full-time for a specific period in underserved areas. |
|
Professional, skilled and unskilled workers (EB-3) |
|
|
Special Workers (EB-4) |
|
|
Investors (EB-5) |
|
People who have experienced or have a fear of persecution in their home country come under this green card category. It includes the following types:
Individuals who have experienced or have a fear of persecution in their home country can apply for a U.S. green card under this category. It includes reasons like religious differences, race, political opinion, nationality, and more. Once these people physically live in the country for at least one year they can apply for a green card under asylees and refugees. Spouses and children of them also seek protection in the country through this and can apply for the card.
Parole in Place (PIP) is for military family members to gain lawful status in the United States. This program is available to undocumented parents, spouses, and children of the US military services. Through this program individuals without leaving the country can request parole. In addition, if they qualify it allows them to adjust status to permanent resident. While PIP does not provide green cards to any individual however it removes the barriers to adjusting the status. Also, make the way to permanent residency more accessible to these people.
Victims who have faced mental or physical abuse or living in the US whether lawfully or unlawfully may apply for a U visa. To get this visa the application of the victim should be certified by a law enforcement agency. For example, the U visa applicant should agree to help investigate and prosecute individuals who commit crimes. It includes sexual assault, torture, and kidnapping. With this, to qualify for a green card they need to fulfill the following requirements:
In addition, the parents, siblings, spouses, and children of victims are also eligible to apply for their own green card. However, for this, both the victim and his/her relatives need to fulfill the mentioned requirements.
Human trafficking victims who are living in the US whether lawfully or unlawfully can apply for a T visa. Through this, they can stay in the country for up to four years. However, as the condition of the T visa, they need to assist in prosecuting and investigating perpetrators of human trafficking. If the victim is under the age of 18, then in this circumstance he/she does not need help with such things. In addition, to get a green card, an individual has to live physically in the US for one of the following periods, whichever is shorter:
Apart from the following requirements they also need to qualify in other things. It includes showcasing good moral character meaning they do not commit certain crimes like fraud, murder, or more after getting a T visa. Also, they should showcase to the US government that if they do not get a green card and need to leave the country they will suffer extreme hardship. With this, their family members are also eligible to apply for their green card. However, for this, both of them have to fulfill the above-mentioned requirements.
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Victims who face domestic violence or extreme cruelty may apply for a green card in the US. Under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), they can seek relief. Although the following act was made to benefit women, it applies to both men and women. In addition, it also includes the children and parents of the abuse victim. An abuse victim on their own can apply for a green card. They did not need to get permission or knowledge of their abusive relative including:
With this, USCIS will not give the green card application information of the victim to an abusive relative to keep him/her safe.
The green card lottery is also known as the "Diversity Visa Lottery Program." Under this, the US government randomly chose up to 50,000 people for the green card. It includes the applications received from six geographic areas such as Asia, Oceania, and Africa. People who belong to countries that less traveled to the US in the past can apply under this card category. The green card share distributed to any nation is capped at 7%. At the time they cast their entries many applicants of the lottery live in their home countries. However, under a different immigration status, some already live in the US.
Since 1 January 1972, applicants who have physically lived in the US whether lawfully or unlawfully can apply under this. For this, they need to apply through a special process i.e. "registry." However, to qualify under this, they need to fulfill the following eligibility criteria:
Apart from the above-mentioned green cards, the US government issues other types of green cards. Some of them involve permanent resident cards for "special immigrants." It includes religious workers, media professionals, and Iraq and Afghanistan nationals who served the country in certain capacities. Other involved green cards for American Indians born in Canada and Cuban citizens.
These are the different green card categories offered by the US government. It is advisable before applying for any of the green cards go through the requirements mentioned for it. With this, moving ahead, let's know the different pathways to get permanent residency in the US.
There are typically five ways to get a U.S. green card. Each of them has their requirements and separate visas. Moving further, let's know about them.
These are the different pathways through which you can apply for a U.S. green card. Furthermore, let's now know the process to apply for permanent residency in the country.
While the process to apply for a green card varies as per your situation, most applications for green card follow this general process:
The green card application process may take several months or years. It completely depends on your specific visa category and circumstances. With this, moving ahead, let's know about the USCIS processing times for a green card.
Depending on the green card type, you are applying for, the green card processing time can take a few months to many years. Here to provide you with an idea precise estimated time is mentioned below:
|
Type of Green Card |
Processing Time |
|---|---|
|
Family Preference Immigrant Visas |
1 to 10 Years (It is based on priority date and yearly caps). |
|
Green Card Through Marriage (IR-1) |
10 to 13 Months |
|
Returning Resident Immigrant Visa (SB-1) |
Upon the interview immediate decision. |
|
Employment-Based Green Card |
Varies as per category and demand. Often take 1-2 years or longer. |
|
Diversity Visa |
After initial application approximately takes 2 years. |
Well, the above process time is just estimated it can vary as per your green card type and visa category. Moving further, let's know the cost of a green card.
For a family-based green card, the government filing fee is $3005. It is for individuals who are applying for the card within the country. In addition, for applicants applying outside the country, the fee is $1340. The cost of an employed-based green card ranges between $2000 to $5000 and a spousal visa is $1540. Here, the fees do not involve the medical exam cost, which varies as per provider.
This is how much a green card costs as per its type. With this, moving ahead, let's know some of the benefits of having a green card by your side.
As per the US immigration law and regulations, green card holders enjoy several benefits. Considering this, some of them are stated below:
These are some of the key benefits of green card holders while staying in the country. With this, let's know the process of renewing a green card.
As stated above the green card is renewed every 10 years. One should renew it within the expiration of 6 months. For the process, two methods are available i.e. online application or mail-it-in format. With this, to renew your card follow the below-mentioned process:
This is how you can renew your green card. Also, through your USCIS online account number, you can check the USCIS case status of your application. For this, you just need to make an online account on the USCIS website, and through the number you can track down your applications.
A green card holder is a resident of the US but not an American citizen. Having this by your side provides you with lots of perks. However, with perks, it does bring some responsibilities that you need to follow. Here the following blog consists of all of the information regarding the card. Moreover, if you need guidance or assistance in any NRI services contact Visament. The experts here hold great knowledge of all these processes and aid you in your smooth travel in the US
The green card allows its holders to work and live in the USA permanently while a visa provides them with a temporary stay for specific reasons like travel, education, or work.
Individuals who have a criminal records, medical issues, public charges, and bad immigration history cannot apply for a U.S. green card.
The quickest way to get a green card is through employment-based visas (EB- visa). In this an individual can self-sponsor themselves, meaning they do not require employment proof or a Labor Certification.
Yes, generally it is considered difficult to get a U.S. green card as the process is complex, consumes a lot of time, and is highly competitive depending on the visa category you applied for. Also, the application process is not straightforward and needs careful documentation and planning.
A green card also known as a permanent resident card allows a foreign individual the right to work and live in the country. In addition, provides the path to becoming a U.S. Citizen after a specific period generally 3-5 years. In contrast to this, U.S. citizenship is the highest legal status of the country and provides individuals with complete rights, responsibilities, and privileges. They can hold public office, serve on juries, and vote in elections. Also, they are eligible to get many state and federal government grants, benefits, and scholarships.
A green card holder must permanently live and move to the United States otherwise he/she may lose their card. In addition, they cannot stay outside the country for more than 6 consecutive months.
