Are you ready to get your Green Card and build a life in the U.S.? Whether you’re applying through family, work, or another specific program, Yaqubie Law can clarify your options and help you create a strong application. Our team can support you every step of the way so you’re informed and ready for any eventuality. Contact Yaqubie Law today to arrange your initial consultation and learn how we can help you start fresh in the U.S. with a Green Card.
What Is a Green Card?
A Permanent Resident Card or Green Card allows you to live and work permanently in the United States. It grants you the status of a lawful permanent resident, which comes with many rights and responsibilities.
With a Green Card, you can work for most U.S. employers, travel outside the country, and apply for a driver’s license. After holding a Green Card for a certain number of years, you can apply for U.S. citizenship if you meet the relevant requirements. However, you must maintain your permanent resident status by following specific rules to qualify. For example, you must live in the U.S. most of the time and avoid committing certain crimes.
Eligibility Categories for a Green Card
There are several types of Green Cards in the U.S., each with specific eligibility criteria:
- Family-Based Green Cards: U.S. citizens can sponsor immediate relatives, including spouses, children, parents, and siblings, for Green Cards. Green Card holders can also sponsor their spouses and unmarried children. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens often experience faster processing times.
- Employment-Based Green Cards: Workers with skills in high demand, such as scientists, athletes, and other professionals, can qualify for employment-based Green Cards. Employers can sponsor foreign workers through a labor certification process, while certain people with extraordinary abilities can self-petition.
- Diversity Visa Lottery: The Diversity Visa Lottery program offers Green Cards to people from countries with low U.S. immigration rates. Each year, 50,000 Green Cards become available through a random selection process. Applicants must meet specific education or work experience requirements to qualify.
- Humanitarian Programs: Refugees and asylum seekers can apply for Green Cards after residing in the U.S. for one year. Victims of human trafficking (T Visa holders) or certain crimes (U Visa holders) also qualify. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) allows abused spouses, children, and parents to self-petition for Green Cards as well.
- Special Immigrant Green Cards: Certain religious workers, employees of international organizations, and members of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible for Special Immigrant Green Cards. Children who qualify as Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJ) due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment by a parent may also apply.
The Green Card Application Process
The Green Card application process involves several steps, which vary based on your eligibility category. First, you must file the correct petition, such as a Form I-130 for family-based cases or a Form I-140 for employment-based cases. After U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approves your petition, you can apply for Adjustment of Status if you’re in the U.S. or Consular Processing if you’re not.
You must submit forms, pay fees, and provide specific documents. You must also attend a biometrics appointment and, in many cases, an interview. This process can take months or even years, depending on your eligibility category and country of origin. An immigration lawyer can help you meet all requirements and move through the application process smoothly.
Green Card Interviews and Biometrics Appointments
The Green Card interview usually takes place at a USCIS office or a U.S. embassy or consulate if you’re outside the country. In the interview, an immigration officer asks questions to verify your eligibility, often based on your application and personal background. If you apply through marriage, both you and your spouse will likely need to attend. You can prepare for this interview by reviewing your application and bringing all necessary documents.
During a biometrics appointment, you provide fingerprints, a photo, and your signature. USCIS uses this information to conduct a background check and ensure you meet the security requirements for permanent residency. This process is quick, usually lasting about 15 to 30 minutes, and does not involve any interview questions.
Green Card Renewal and Conditional Residency
If you hold a conditional Green Card, which usually lasts for two years, you must apply to remove the conditions before it expires. This requirement mostly applies to marriage-based Green Cards obtained within two years of marriage. To remove conditions, you and your spouse must jointly file Form I-751 within 90 days before your card expires. If you don’t file on time, you risk losing your permanent resident status.
After removing the conditions, you receive a standard ten-year Green Card. All Green Card holders must renew their card every ten years by filing a Form I-90. Even if your card expires, your status as a permanent resident remains valid. However, keeping your Green Card current is essential for travel, work, and maintaining proof of your residency status.
How an Immigration Lawyer Can Help You with the Green Card Process
A Garden City immigration lawyer can guide you through each step of the Green Card process. They can determine which eligibility category best fits your situation and help you prepare your application by ensuring all forms and documents are correct and complete. If you face complications, such as a past visa overstay or a criminal record, your lawyer can advise you on potential issues and how to address them.
Your attorney can also help you prepare for the biometrics appointment and interview so you know what to expect. Additionally, a lawyer can assist with any unexpected challenges that arise, such as requests for additional evidence or denials. Working with a lawyer can give you peace of mind and increase your chances of a smooth, successful process.
Contact Our Garden City Green Card Attorney
If you’re ready to start your Green Card application or need help with any part of the process, reach out to Yaqubie Law today. Our immigration lawyers can answer your questions and work with you to make the path to permanent residency as straightforward as possible.
Yaqubie Law, located in Garden City, also serves Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Syosset, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Long Island, and the greater New York area.