This information is not intended to create, and receipt If you’re a close relative to a U.S. citizen or a green card holder you can petition for a green card. This is also one of the fastest and the easiest way to get a Green Card. U.S. immigration laws allow people to get a Green Card based on investment in the U.S. Entrepreneurs who invest at least $1,000,000 into a new business or $500,000 into a business in a targeted employment area can then apply for a green card. You can qualify for a Green Card as a special immigrant under the USCIS special immigrant program. Official website of the Department of Homeland Security, A Green Card holder (permanent resident) is someone who has been granted authorization to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis. You fall into a special job category. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) grants a person a permanent resident card, commonly called a "Green Card.". You must consult an immigration lawyer to make sure you meet the requirements to get a refugee visa that can lead you to a green card. The content on this site should not be relied on to reach conclusions about any person's specific situation. USCIS provides thorough information on how to apply for your green card. If you’re in the special immigrant category that includes a widow(er) you would complete Form I-360 Petition for Amerasian, widow(er), or special immigrant. Getting a green card is a time taking and a complex process. Visit the Green Card Based Forms page for details on which forms you will need to complete and submit in order to apply for your permanent residence status. Form I-140 is available to U.S. Companies to sponsor a Green Card for an alien worker to become a permanent resident in the United States. A green card is also called a “permanent resident card” and it grants official immigration status in the United States. To get a green card you need to have a U.S. citizen or permanent resident file a petition for you. There are also a few special circumstances where you can get a green card but they are not very common. please update to most recent version. If you’re having trouble determining if you are eligible to complete the paperwork required for a green card you can always use FileRight to get it done quickly. If you are an undocumented immigrant who wants to obtain permanent residency, you need an experienced attorney. Here is a list of different scenarios that require different processes. The U.S. government grants 50,000 permanent resident visas to people who win the Green Card Lottery. Below is the list of all major categories through which you can get a Green Card. Taking into consideration that fees could go up for many applications at any time, it's generally a good idea to prepare & file your Green Card or Citizenship applications sooner rather than later. Refugees are required to apply for a green card after being in the country for a year. After correctly completing your application for a green card you’ll be sent a receipt notice letting you know the USCIS received your paperwork. Yes. If you're a refugee or asylee, you most likely don't need an underlying petition if you meet the requirements to adjust status. They can apply within one year of entry. It typically involves an employer who is in the United States sponsoring you for a Green Card. Green Card through marriage is one of the fastest ways to get a Green Card. It can take anywhere between a few weeks to years to get a Green Card through family. This act enables you to acquire permanent residence status even if you are not authorized to live in the United States. Making the slightest mistake on your application can result in denial or extend the application process unnecessarily. Check the National Terrorism Advisory System, Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants. If there is anything that could prevent you from becoming a citizen or resident, such as a loved one's political activities or crimes, be sure and have explanations ready and be ready to disavow that lifestyle choice if its perceived as a negative. How long would this take? How can I get a green card if I am 15 years old and have no relatives in the United States? You would be granted citizenship if you served at World War I, World War II, the Korean hostilities, the Persian Gulf War, or the War on Terrorism. Having a professional look over and help you with your application can speed up the application process and ensure that you don’t receive unnecessary grief for mistakes made when filing your application. US Immigration Update (October 1, 2020): The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted the motion for preliminary injunction temporarily halting the implementation of USCIS final fee rule in its entirety and on a nationwide basis. If you are married or going to marry a U.S. citizen or a Green Card holder then you might be eligible to get a Green Card. Most people who apply for a Green Card will need to complete at least two forms—an immigrant petition and a Green Card application (Form I-485). Once issued, your Green Card will be valid for 10 years. You can learn a lot about getting a Green Card through each specific process by following the links given in each section. Last Updated: July 6, 2019 The provision has been reviewed and revised periodically since 1929, most commonly to advance the required date from which continuous residence must be established. and video consultations. The time it takes from the beginning to the end of this process can vary tremendously. However, no one knows when the appeal will happen or what the result of the appeal will be. FileRight even offers you access to an immigration attorney who can provide a more thorough review of your application to ensure you’ve completed it correctly. Asylees are not required to apply for green cards. Can I get a green card if I have no relatives in the US? A green card is a key to becoming a United States citizen. The process to get a Green Card varies vastly and it depends on multiple factors. This means that the new fee increases have been STOPPED, at least for now. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. A green card is a key to becoming a United States citizen. This green card category is somewhat broad because it doesn’t just deal with your employer. Never get caught up in a scam which asks you to pay exorbitant amounts to be ensured citizenship. If you're an Afghan or Iraqi translator, an Afghan or Iraqi who assisted the US government, a member of the armed forces, or fall into another special category, you can get a green card that way. If your application is denied, you may still be able to appeal the USCIS decision but you will not be receiving a green card at the time of denial. U.S. citizens are allowed to. All forms that can be completed online using our service are available as blank forms with written instructions for free from the USCIS. Please visit: A green card is a key to becoming a United States citizen. Investors can get green cards if they put enough money into U.S. businesses. Afghan or Iraqi translators, those who worked for the U.S. government in Iraq, or a member of the armed forces. This doesn’t grant you a Green Card but it is the start of the process. You can also get a green card through special family situations including being a battered spouse or child, a widow or widower of a US citizen, or a child of a foreign diplomat born in the US. Site Map. We have no connection to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or any other government agency. A green card is also called a “permanent resident card” and it grants official immigration status in the United States. Those who enter the U.S. illegally cannot apply for a green card inside the U.S. FileRight’s eligibility quizzes can make it easy to determine if you can complete Form I-130 and/or Form I-485. What happens next? Can I get a green card if my father was born in America, but he's deceased? You'll receive a "Visa Bulletin" that will allow you to check your place in the visa queue. Most individuals are sponsored by a family member or employer in the United States. We will take a quick look over the different categories. In short: the only way you can apply for a green card is if you are not a U.S. citizen. Close relatives of U.S. citizens and current green card holders may apply for family-based green cards of their own. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Many obtain a green card as the immediate relative of a US citizen. Obtaining a green card through a family member is the most popular way to get a green card. There are serious consequences for sham or unreal marriages created to obtain permanent residency. After your biometrics appointment is complete the USCIS may send you a notice informing you of an interview with an immigration officer. If you’re directly related to a US citizen, your relative can petition for you to live in the US. If you get her to say you're going to live with her and be a dependent, or get her to help you set up a job, that will make things go faster. Undocumented immigrants who are refugees can apply for asylum when they are in the United States. CA Those who enter the U.S. illegally cannot apply for a green card inside the U.S. You can also get a green card if you fall into a special job category. The type of Green Card received also varies based on the process you apply. This website is run by a private company. Undocumented immigrants who enter into a valid and real marriage with a U.S. citizen make them an “immediate relative” under U.S. immigration laws. 626-683-3451 Self-help software and customer support services are provided solely at a user's direction. Please do not hesitate to call us if you have Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual If you need to file an immigrant petition, you will have to obtain a visa, file an application, and pay a filing fee. Visit the Green Card Eligibility webpage to learn if you are eligible. The Steps to Get a Green Card. You want to get a green card through investment. in the U.S., you are considered a minor, and unless you are legally declared an emancipated adult by the court, you are still a child and could be put into the system as a homeless person until the age of 18 or be deported back to your home county. Employment based green card. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1e\/Get-a-Green-Card-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-a-Green-Card-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1e\/Get-a-Green-Card-Step-1.jpg\/aid2169132-v4-728px-Get-a-Green-Card-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"