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The famous Green Card or Permanent Resident Card is one of the most coveted documents today. It is a permit that grants immigrants permanent resident status in the United States.
One of the greatest advantages of a Green Card is that it enables holders to work legally in the United States, as well as allowing them to enter and leave the country without issues. This benefits many foreigners seeking greater economic stability for themselves and their families.
There are four ways to obtain a Green Card: through a family member, employment, refugee status, or the visa lottery. Each of these categories has its own specific requirements and limitations. Below, we will delve into the various possibilities for obtaining permanent residency.
How do you get a Green Card?
The Green Card is the document that enables individuals to reside permanently in the United States. By obtaining a Green Card, holders can apply for legal work and benefit from many of the rights held by any U.S. citizen.
To obtain this document, it is necessary to complete a process through which the U.S. government ensures that all eligibility requirements are met, meaning that the applicant has the legal capacity to be chosen to become a permanent resident and will not become a public charge.
After five years of residing in the country legally with a Green Card, a resident may apply for naturalization or U.S. citizenship. This period is shortened to three years if the resident is married to a U.S. citizen.
How do you get a Green Card in the USA?
To obtain a Green Card in the United States, you must first qualify under one of the four eligibility categories, under which you can apply for Adjustment of Status. These categories are:
- Through a U.S. family member
- Through employment
- Through the visa lottery
- Through refugee status
Within each category, there are a number of criteria that applicants must meet to be considered eligible. It is important to correctly identify which of these categories applies to you.
Furthermore, the four categories have different costs and processing times, as the U.S. government prioritizes some cases over others. Fees range from $535 to $3,600, depending on the type of application.
But this should not worry you, as once the application is approved, the applicant will receive an immigrant visa to remain in the country until the process is complete.
Before making any application, remember to consult with a lawyer specializing in immigration procedures and rights regarding the different options available to you.
Requirements for obtaining a Green Card
The requirements for obtaining a Green Card depend on the path through which you are applying. Once you are in the United States, you must follow these steps:
Through family connection
The immigrant must file and pay for Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, after having been inspected and admitted into the country. For their part, the U.S. family member, being over 21 years of age, must complete Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, on behalf of the family member applying for the Green Card. Both forms must be submitted to USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services).
Por empleo
Al igual que en el proceso anterior, para obtener la residencia por empleo es necesario que el empleador se postule como patrocinador del inmigrante, por medio del Formulario I-140. Sin embargo, el número de visas de trabajo concedidas por año es limitado (sólo unas 65 mil). El solicitante deberá presentar el Formulario I-485 si cumple con las condiciones de alguna de estas tres categorías preferenciales:
- Ser un profesional destacado o con habilidades extraordinarias en las ciencias, artes, negocios o deportes, o gerente o ejecutivo de una multinacional;
- Ser un profesional con grado avanzado (posgrado);
- Ser trabajadores especializados, profesionales y otros trabajadores.
Por lotería de visas
Conocido como el Programa de Visas de Diversidad, este es un beneficio que se otorga todos los años a los países que registren menos inmigración hacia Estados Unidos. La lista cambia todos los años y la elección de los 50 mil beneficiados se realiza completamente al azar.
Por estatus de refugiado
Quienes recibieron asilo o refugio en Estados Unidos por al menos un año, pueden presentar el Formulario I-485 para obtener la _Green Card. _
En la mayoría de los casos, se requerirá del inmigrante un Examen Médico y una Declaración Jurada de Patrocinio Económico. Se recomienda consultar en el sitio oficial de la USCIS para conocer más acerca de los requisitos de cada categoría.
¿Cómo checar el estatus de mi Green Card?
Una vez que se presentó toda la documentación requerida y que se pagaron las tasas correspondientes, puedes checar los plazos en la página de Tiempo de Procesamiento de la USCIS, ingresando en el buscador los datos del trámite realizado.
Se puede revisar el estado de la solicitud en la página Estatus de Caso en Línea, utilizando el número de recibo del Formulario I-485. Si crees que tu trámite está fuera del tiempo estimado, puedes enviar una consulta del caso. Y si deseas hablar con algún funcionario, la USCIS pone a disposición su línea telefónica 800-375-5283.
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