Saturday 7 July 2012

A Home Outside of Home: The Procedure to Get a US Green Card

What is a "green card"?

Also called the "Permanent Resident Card", is granted by the United States (U.S.) government's granting of authority to non-US citizens to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis. The map serves as a 'pass' for the licensee to avail itself of the benefits enjoyed by U.S. citizens. The holder of a green card can work, study and start a business of his own as a citizen of the United States. The card is valid for a period of 10 years and may be renewed for another 10 years.


Who can get a green card?

A green card may be taken by those who currently live in the U.S. through the process called "change of status" or those who live outside the United States through "consular processing." The "change of status "is the term used for the motion filed by the change of status of nonimmigrant to immigrant status by a person already residing in the United States. The green card application is a very complex and tedious process requiring a large amount documentation.

Ways to take advantage of "green card"

There are many ways for classes or apply for a green card. However, for each category, qualifications, requirements and guidelines may vary. To name a few:

1. Through application of the family. The application is filed by one of Applicant's relatives residing in the United States;

2. Application through an employer in the United States. The employer shall file the petition in favor of the employee, but only in cases where candidates have extraordinary skill and expertise, a teacher or a researcher or an officer of a multinational company with a branch in the U.S. States (EB-1), or a professional with the ability of ordinary extra or hold a graduate degree or its equivalent (EB-2), and skilled workers or professionals requiring at least a baccalaureate or foreign equivalent (EB-3);

3. Application of refugee status or asylum. The applicant may apply for permanent residency one year after the granting of asylum, and

4. Other ways to obtain permanent resident status as the "U.S. Green Card Lottery".

By U.S. Green Card Lottery

Another way to acquire permanent resident card in the U.S. is done by the so-called "Green Card Lottery" program administered by the State Department, under the INA. In this lottery, applicants from different countries are given the chance to become permanent residents of the United States through the Diversity Visa Immigrant program. Candidates registered online and each year approximately 50,000 green cards are issued to peaks lucky with a random selection by computer.

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