In the current global context, many people dream of migrating to the United States. Fortunately, there are several visas that allow foreigners to reside there and work legally.
The safest way to stay in the country is to get a Green Card o Green Card. This card, also called an Immigrant Visa, is the document that provides its holder with the status of Permanent Resident, and enables him to work legally and travel in and out of the country without any problem.
The best known ways to obtain the Green Card are through a family member or employment, although they can also be applied for through the visa lottery program or refugee status.
What is the Green Card?
La Green Card o Green Card is a document that allows its holder to reside permanently and working legally in the United States. Also known as an Immigrant Visa, the Green Card It is one of the most important documents granted by the United States, after citizenship.
The process for obtaining a Green Card can last several months, even years, depending on the individual case of each applicant. The ways to obtain it are through a family member, a job, the lottery, or asylum or refugee status.
How to get a Green Card?
To obtain the Green Card, you should keep in mind that there are four ways to request it, and the fastest is through an immediate family member. The other ways are through employment, the visa lottery, and shelter or asylum.
For each of these routes, It is necessary to meet a number of eligibility requirements, that is, a number of characteristics with which the United States government decides if the applicant can be chosen to obtain a permanent residence card.
A very important factor is the number of visas that the government grants per year. In the case of visas for a family member, the number is unlimited. But in the case of employment visas, the government grants about 65,000 visas a year, so it is necessary to check the USCIS (Citizenship and Immigration Services) page for availability.
The steps required to submit the application change from case to case, but generally speaking, it involves completing a series of forms, sending them to USCIS offices, attending a biometric appointment and attending an interview with an immigration officer.
Before making any request, remember to consult with a lawyer specializing in immigration procedures and rights about the different options available to you.
Can a Green Card be obtained by marriage?
La Green Card by marriage is one of the most common procedures carried out to obtain permanent residence. A spouse over 21 years of age can apply for a visa for their partner.
Immigrants can also apply for the card as a fiancé: the U.S. citizen can request this procedure for their fiancé (K-1 visa) and their children (K-2 visa), so that they can get married in the United States.
Once obtained the Green Card, the holder may request the same procedure for his foreign spouse and children. And after about 5 years of legally residing in the United States, cardholders can apply for citizenship or naturalization.
How do I renew my expired Green Card?
According to USCIS, some Permanent Resident Cards don't have an expiration date, but it's estimated that most are valid for 10 years. The exception is the Conditional Resident Card, which lasts 2 years. To remove the condition, a request must be made within 90 days before the expiration date.
For Renew the Green Card, you must complete the Form I-90 Request to Replace the Permanent Resident Card, and submit it virtually. To do this, you must create an online USCIS account, which will allow you to pay for the application online, verify the status of the case, review notifications and confirm the estimated deadlines.
It's important to renew the card before it expires, and even if it's already expired, because it's the document that proves that the person is a legal and permanent resident of the United States. Don't forget to check the requirements on the USCIS website or on its consultation channels.
