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The United States is one of the most popular countries for foreigners to immigrate to, whether for work or study. To be able to reside in the country permanently, immigrants can apply for a Green Card.
The Green Card is the document that enables its holders not only to reside legally, but also to work, study, and travel in and out of the United States without issues.
In addition to the benefits already mentioned, the Green Card has many other advantages. However, it is important to understand the limitations that this document has under United States law.
What is a Green Card?
The Green Card is a document that allows its holder to reside permanently and work legally in the United States. After citizenship, the Green Card is the most important document granted by the United States government.
It is a document that enables foreigners to reside in the country without any issues, as well as to travel in and out of the United States border.
After having resided in the country for five years, a Green Card holder can apply for naturalization or U.S. citizenship.
Advantages of the Green Card
The Green Card grants its holder numerous benefits, among the most important are:
- Residing in the United States permanently;
- Working legally;
- Entering and leaving the country without issues;
- Authorization to study;
- Access to the Medicaid state aid program to cover medical expenses and other social assistance programs;
- Access to loans and other financial products;
- The holder can apply for a Green Card for their family members.
Disadvantages of the Green Card
The Green Card can have some disadvantages, although there are not many. Among them, the following can be listed:
- The Green Card can be revoked if the holder has committed a crime;
- This document provides limited rights, unlike a native-born or naturalized U.S. citizen;
- The Green Card can also be revoked or not renewed for those who record many entries and exits between the United States and Mexico in a short period of time;
- Finally, in the case of other international travel, it may be necessary to obtain the appropriate visa to enter the country.
How much does a Green Card cost the first time?
The Green Card is a process that can be obtained through different legal channels. Each of them has its own priority status, deadlines, and different fees.
The easiest way to process the document is through a family member. The I-130 family sponsorship form has a cost of 535 dollars. In the case of an application through employment, Form I-140 costs 715 dollars. On the other hand, Form I-485 for the Green Card application has a cost of 1140 dollars.
After the forms have been approved, the applicant must attend an appointment where they will provide their biometric data. This service has a cost of 85 dollars. In addition, the applicant must undergo a medical examination, the price of which ranges between 100 and 500 dollars, depending on the provider.
How long does it take for the Green Card to arrive after payment?
Processing times for each case vary greatly, as applications submitted by immediate family members have priority over other types of requests:
- The average processing time for Form I-485 is about 20 months;
- Processing for Form I-130 filed by U.S. citizens for a spouse beneficiary ranges from 13 to 54.5 months;
- For Form I-130 filed by a permanent resident, the timeframe ranges from 32 to 67.5 months.
According to official data from the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) website, once all fees have been paid, the card could arrive within 90 days of payment.
Before submitting any application, be sure to consult with a specialist attorney
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