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In today's global context, many people dream of immigrating to the United States. Fortunately, there are various visas that allow foreigners to reside and work there legally.
The safest way to stay in the country is by obtaining a **Green Card**. This card, also called an Immigrant Visa, is the document that grants its holder the status of Permanent Resident, and enables them to work legally and travel in and out of the country without any issues.
The best-known ways to obtain a Green Card are through a family member or employment, although it can also be requested through the visa lottery program or refugee status.
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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. Also known as an Immigrant Visa, the Green Card is one of the most important documents granted by the United States, after citizenship.
The process to obtain a Green Card can take several months, or even years, depending on each applicant's individual case. The ways to obtain it are through a family member, a job, the lottery, or asylum or refugee status.
How to obtain a Green Card?
To obtain a Green Card, you must keep in mind that there are four ways to apply for it, and the fastest is through an immediate family member. The other paths are through employment, the visa lottery, and refuge or asylum.
For each of these paths, it is necessary to meet a series of eligibility requirements, that is, a number of characteristics with which the United States government decides if the applicant can be chosen to obtain the permanent residence card.
A very important factor is the number of visas that the government grants per year. In the case of visas for a family member, the number is unlimited. But in the case of employment visas, the government grants about 65,000 visas per year, so it is necessary to check the USCIS (Citizenship and Immigration Services) website to see availability.
The steps required to submit the application change according to each case, but in general terms, it involves completing a series of forms, sending them to the USCIS offices, attending a biometric appointment, and going to the interview with an immigration officer.
Before submitting any application, remember to consult with an attorney specializing in immigration procedures and rights regarding the different options available to you.
Can you get a Green Card through marriage?
The Green Card through marriage is one of the most common procedures carried out to obtain permanent residence. A spouse over 21 years of age can apply for a visa for their partner.
Immigrants can also apply for the card as fiancés: the U.S. citizen can request this procedure for their fiancé(e) (K-1 visa) and their children (K-2 visa), so that they can get married in the United States.
Once the Green Card is obtained, the holder can request the same procedure for their foreign spouse and children. And after about 5 years of residing legally in the United States, cardholders can apply for citizenship or naturalization.
How do I renew my expired Green Card?
According to the USCIS, some Permanent Resident Cards do not have an expiration date, but it is estimated that most are valid for 10 years. The exception is the Conditional Resident Card, which lasts 2 years. To remove the condition, an application must be made within the 90 days prior to the expiration date.
To renew the Green Card, you must complete Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, and submit it virtually. To do this, you must create an online USCIS account, which will allow you to pay for the application online, check the status of the case, review notifications, and verify estimated timelines.
It is important to renew the card before it expires, and even if it is already expired, because it is the document that proves that the person is a legal and permanent resident of the United States. Do not forget to check the requirements on the USCIS website or through their inquiry channels.
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