How do you get a green card?

In order for a foreign national to work and live permanently in the United State, he or she must have an immigrant visa, or what is known as a “green card” visa.

A green card allows a non-U.S. citizen to obtain permanent residence in the United States. Many people living outside the United States desire a green card because it would allow them to legally live and work, anywhere in the United States and, after three or five years, qualify for U.S citizenship and enjoy all the benefits of being a true American citizen.

6 Ways To Obtain A Green Card

Applying for a green card visa is a daunting task. You will have to spend a lot of money, time, and effort to qualify. But there are six best ways you can get into the land of opportunity.

1. Family Based

One of the easiest ways to get a green card is through family sponsorship. A foreign national must be sponsored by an immediate relative who is of 21 years old at the time of sponsoring and is either a U.S citizen or a legal resident. They must be considered an “immediate relative” to be eligible for an immigrant visa.

Marriage is also a common way to obtain a green card. However, there are also some requirements that need to be followed. For instance, the marriage should be genuine and not just for immigration purposes. Pure intention is the key.

2. Degree Program Based

Earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the US is one way to get a green card. If you are an international student living and studying in the US, you have a good chance of living there permanently.

Once you graduate, you are eligible for a one-year post-graduation work permit called Optional Practical Training. Then, if there are no American workers ready, willing, and able to take the job, for your position in the company, you can apply for a labor certification from the Department of Labor.

Once you receive the certification, you can apply for a green card with the Department of Homeland Security U.S Citizenship and Immigration Service.

This can be a lengthy process, but for some applicants who do not have family in the U.S and cannot invest money, but have skills, this may be the best option.

3. Employment-Based

Unlike family-based immigration, in employment-based, the employer or company is in the US and sponsors a foreign national. This type of sponsoring is by far the most difficult because although the waiting period for employment-based immigrant visas is relatively short, the application process requires a tremendous amount of work and documentation from both the applicant and the sponsoring employer.

The applicant’s professional qualifications, education, experience, and skills must be highly sought after by the employer and not available from potential employees who already have citizenship.

4. Achievement Based

There are people whose stars shine the brightest. These are the people who have won prestigious international awards such as the Oscar, the Grammy, or the Pulitzer Prize, or who are involved in internationally recognized humanitarian works, or who have risen to the top in their profession or vocation.

Those who have such exceptional skills can obtain a green card based on their works and achievements.

5. Luck Based

The Diversity Green Card Lottery is a well-known lottery in the US where 50,000 applicants get a chance to live their American dream. These spots are given to foreign nationals from countries that have few applications for permanent residency in the United States.

Applicants must meet minimum education requirements, be able to prove that they are able to make a living in the U.S., and not be associated with criminal activity, immigration violations, or other problems.

Once the applicant has a chance to be randomly selected, they are immediately assigned an immigrant visa number. However, the catch is that the applicant should complete the processing before the visa expires for that year.

If the applicant does not fit any of these options, sometimes a spouse may qualify. Either of the applicant’s immediate family members will also receive a green card.

Ways To Speed Up The Green Card Process

Permanent residency in the United States is no walk in the park and is not easy to obtain. It requires a lot of perseverance and patience. However, there are certain ways that you can significantly reduce the time you have to wait for a green card.

Check with a licensed immigration attorney for possible avenues that you can take to acquire a green card. Always get professional advice and do not fall prey to an illegal immigration consultant. to avoid any problem in the future.