Every single person traveling to the United States has one dream that is getting a Green Card. Getting a green card means you get the permit to stay and work in the US permanently. Not only can you stay there permanently, but you also get several benefits. Some of them are from sponsoring your family members to enjoying all social security perks for 10 years. You might be wondering how you can get your own green card? In this article, we will guide you through the whole process of getting a green card.
Type of Green Card
First, you have to check under which category you can apply for a green card. Let us take a look at some of the categories under which you can apply for a green card.
- Geen card sponsored by your employer:- If you are able to find a job under an employer who is willing to sponsor your green card, then you fit under this category. A contract will be drawn between the employee and the employer. The employee cannot leave that job until that contract is fulfilled.
- Lottery Green card:- The US government organizes a lottery system every year to hand out green cards. This is also known as diversity green card, aimed at people coming from countries where immigration rates to the US are low.
- Family Sponsor:- If you have any immediate family in the US that already has a green card, and if they are sponsoring you in this category, you will fall under. The immediate family members are siblings, parents, spouses, and children.
- Green card for former residents:- This category is for the people who formerly had a green card but traveled out of the country for a very long time. If you have a legitimate family or cultural reason, due to which you were not able to return to the US and renew your green card, you can apply under this category.
Based on these categories, you must file an immigration petition. There are different types of petitions, and you must carefully select the one you have to file according to your requirements. For example, Form I-130, Form I-140, Form I-589, etc.
General process and timeline
- First, your petition will be filed with USCIS or the US Department of State on your behalf, or in some cases, you have the liberty to do it yourself.
- If there is a visa available in the category you applied in, you will have to apply for that visa with USCIS or the US Department of State.
- You need to provide your biometrics and your signature on your appointment date.
- You will be called for an interview
- A verdict will be given on your application
Based on whether you are in the US or outside the US, the time for the process will vary. If you file the paperwork from outside the US, the process will take around 4 months. If you are applying while you are in the country, it will take 13 months for the whole process.
This covers the whole process of getting a green card for staying in the United States as a permanent resident. You must contact the USCIS or visit their website for any type of information related to the process. When you get a green card it is delivered through US postal services(USPS) make sure you keep a track of your package until you get your hands on it.
