The United States offers a number of different types of green cards, each with its own benefits and requirements. If you’re looking to become a permanent resident of the US, it’s important to understand the different types of green cards and how to obtain one.
This guide will provide an overview of the different types of green cards and the requirements for each.
In this article…
What is a Green Card?
A green card is a document that allows a person to live and work permanently in the United States.
Lawful permanent resident status, also known as a green card, grants an individual the right to live and work permanently in the United States.
To obtain this status, an individual must first apply for and be granted a immigrant visa by the U.S. Department of State. Once the individual arrives in the United States, they must then file an application for permanent residence with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The green card lottery is a lottery open to individuals from specific countries who wish to live and work in the United States. The lottery is open to individuals who meet certain criteria, such as having a high school education or its equivalent, and who can demonstrate that they have a clean criminal record.
The green card is much sought after because it gives holders the right to live and work permanently in the United States.
The green card is much sought after because it gives holders the right to live and work permanently in the United States.
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Green Card Types and Categories
There are multiple types of green cards, each with its own set of conditions for eligibility and time limits for receiving it.
There are several categories of green cards, which denote different types of immigrants.
The first category is employment-based green cards, which are reserved for immigrants who have been sponsored by an employer.
The second category is family-based green cards, which are available to immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, as well as other family members who meet certain criteria.
The third category is refugee or asylee status, which is granted to individuals who have fled their home country due to persecution or fear of violence.
Finally, there are also diversity lottery green cards, which are awarded to individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.
Employment Based Green Card
There are five employment-based immigrant visa preferences (categories):
Priority Workers: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required for fourth and fifth preferences.
Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required by the first three preferences.
Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers: 28.6% of the worldwide level, plus any numbers not required by the first and second preferences, not less than 4,000 of which to “Other Workers”.
Certain Special Immigrants: 7.1% of the worldwide level.
Employment Creation: 7.1% of the worldwide level, not less than 3,000 of which reserved for investors in a targeted rural or high-unemployment area, and 3,000 set aside for investors in regional centers by statutory formula.
EB1, EB2, EB3 Green Card Categories
The EB1, EB2, and EB3 categories are employment-based immigrant visa categories.
EB1: This category is for foreign nationals who have extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, or business, or who are outstanding professors or researchers.
EB2: This category is for foreign nationals who have advanced degrees or exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business.
EB3: This category is for foreign nationals who are skilled workers, professionals, or other workers.
Who can get a Green Card?
A Green Card can be obtained by marrying a US citizen, having a close relative who is a US citizen, being granted asylum or refugee status, or winning the diversity visa lottery.
Green Card Requirements
The United States is a country of immigrants. Each year, more than one million new immigrants apply for lawful permanent residence (i.e., get a green card) and become lawful permanent residents. In addition, over one million people enter on a temporary basis as nonimmigrants (e.g., tourists). Green cards allow immigrants to live and work permanently in the United States
Generally speaking, foreign nationals who wish to obtain a green card must first obtain a visa by filing an immigrant petition with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
After the petition is approved, the individual must then go through a green card interview at a US consulate or embassy. If approved, the individual will be issued a green card, which will allow him or her to live and work permanently in the United States.
How to Get a Green Card fast
There is no definitive answer to this question. Some ways to get a green card faster include marrying a U.S. citizen, having an employer sponsor you, or being granted asylum.
However, it is generally possible to obtain a green card relatively quickly if an individual meets all of the necessary requirements and there are no complications with their application.
The time it takes to obtain a green card can vary depending on a number of factors. However, the average processing time for green card applications is approximately six to eight months.
How to Get a Green Card in the USA without marriage
If you want to get a green card in the USA without marriage, you will need to apply for an immigrant visa. There are many different types of immigrant visas, so you will need to research which one is best for your situation. You can find information about immigrant visas on the US Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
The Benefits of Having a Green Card
There are many benefits to having a green card, including the ability to live and work permanently in the United States, the ability to apply for citizenship, the ability to sponsor family members for green cards, and the ability to travel freely in and out of the United States.
Green card holders also have access to government benefits, such as Social Security and Medicare, and are protected from deportation.
If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien, you may be able to take a foreign tax credit on your federal income tax return for taxes paid to a foreign country or U.S. possession. The credit is designed to relieve double taxation of the same income. You must itemize your deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040) to claim the credit.
How to Renew Your Green Card
The process for renewing your green card is the same as applying for a new one. You will need to submit the same forms and documentation, including photographs of yourself and proof of your identity.
The only difference is that you will not need to go through an interview with a USCIS officer.
You can renew your green card up to 6 months before it expires.
What to Do If Your Green Card is Lost or Stolen
If your green card is lost or stolen, you will need to apply for a replacement. To do this, you can file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
If you have a lost or stolen green card, you should report it to the local police and USCIS as soon as possible. If you are traveling outside of the United States when your green card is lost or stolen, you should contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance.
How to Change Your Status With a Green Card
A change of status with a green card is a process that allows someone who is already living in the United States on a different type of visa to change their immigration status to that of a permanent resident.
This means that the person will be able to live and work in the United States indefinitely. In order to be eligible for a change of status, the person must have been inspected and admitted or paroled into the United States, and they must not have any disqualifying criminal convictions.
If you have a green card, you can change your status by filing a petition with the USCIS.
What You Can and Cannot Do With a Green Card
With a green card, you are able to live and work permanently in the United States. You are also able to travel in and out of the country with relative ease. There are some restrictions, however, such as having to reapply for a green card after extended travel outside of the United States, and there are certain types of criminal convictions that can lead to a green card being revoked.
Do’s:
- Keep your green card with you at all times
- Carry a copy of your green card with you when you travel
- Report any changes in your address to USCIS
- Renew your green card before it expires
- Only work in the United States with a valid work permit
Don’t:
- Lose your green card
- Damage your green card
- Give your green card to anyone
- Travel outside the United States without first getting a reentry permit
Is it possible to get a US Green Card for an international student?
Yes, it is possible for an international student to get a US green card.
The process for obtaining a green card as an international student can vary depending on the country of origin and other factors. However, some common steps in the process may include applying for a student visa, completing an approved course of study, and meeting other eligibility requirements.
What is the Green Card application process?
The green card application process is a long and complicated one. There are many different forms that need to be filled out, and the process can take several months.
The first step is to file an immigrant petition with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Once the petition is approved, the next step is to file an application for a green card with the USCIS.
After the application is filed, the applicant will be interviewed by a USCIS officer.
If the interview is successful, the applicant will be issued a green card.
How long does it take to get a green card?
There is no definitive answer to this question as the amount of time it takes to obtain a green card can vary depending on a number of factors, including the applicant’s country of origin, their employment status, and whether they have any family members who are already U.S. citizens or green card holders. However, the average processing time for green card applications is approximately six months.
How much does it cost to apply for a green card?
The cost to apply for a green card is $1,760.
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Can H1B holders get a Green Card?
Yes, H1B holders can get a Green Card.
There are a few ways that H1B holders can get a Green Card. One way is through employment-based immigration. Another way is through family-based immigration.
Employment-based immigration is based on the premise that immigrants come to the United States in order to work. Family-based immigration, on the other hand, is based on the premise that immigrants come to the United States in order to be with family members who are already living in the country.
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