How to Obtain a Green Card
How to get a Green Card/Become a Lawful Permanent Resident
Having a green card means you a lawful permanent resident of the United States. Although a green card expires after sometime, you can renew your green card if you comply with the rules set out by the USCIS. There are several methods of obtaining a US green card.
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Family
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Employment
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Special Immigrant
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Refugee or Asylee Status
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Human Trafficking or Crime Victim
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Victims of Abuse
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Continuous residence since 1972
See all categories at https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility-categories. For assistance with a green card application, call us today at (713) 909 0752 or email at admin@nslawpllc.com to set up a consultation.
Process
Obtaining a green card can be either through (a) adjustment of status or (b) consular processing.
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Adjustment of Status: the process of getting a green card while inside the United States
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Consular Processing: refers to the process of getting a green card while outside of the United States or if you are unable to adjust status within the United States because you are ineligible for adjustment.
Along with the necessary documents, you must be eligible for a green card and your priority date must be current.
What documents do I need?
Requirements vary widely depending on the method used for adjusting status. Along with your primary application, there may be several other items required. In general, a petition for lawful permanent residence is accompanied by an application for work authorization, travel permits (if applicable), an affidavit of support for sponsored applicants, medical examinations, and the appropriate fees.
Traveling outside of the United States with a Green Card
Although traveling outside of the US will not necessarily mean you lose your permanent resident status, how much time you spend outside of the United States will affect your ability to reenter the country. Staying outside of the United States for longer than one year without the proper documentation means you have abandoned your permanent resident status.
If you plan to be outside of the United States for a year or longer, you must apply for a re-entry permit and complete biometric requirements (if needed) before leaving the United States. It is best to do this well in advance. If you find yourself in a situation where you are outside of the United States for longer than one year, you should apply for a returning resident visa (SB-1) at your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
When do I apply for citizenship?
After obtaining a green card, you can apply for citizenship four years and nine months from the date the green card was issued. If you are married, you can apply for citizenship within two years and nine months from the date your permanent (not conditional) card is issued. In addition, all other requirements for citizenship must be met.