Green Card & Permanent Residency
A green card is the official document used to prove you are a lawful permanent resident in the United States. Permanent Residency allows an individual to live and work in the United States indefinitely. If you obtain a green card, it may be valid for ten years and may be renewable thereafter if you fulfill all the requirements.
There are several different ways of obtaining a green card. Each method involves various factors and complications, so it is important that you work with one of our knowledgeable attorneys to find out which method best suits your specific case.
Depending on your eligibility, green cards fall under one of the following categories:
- Family Based
- Employment Based
- Special Classes of Immigrants
- Humanitarian Programs
Green Card Through Family Members
Family members are either classified as immediate relatives or preference relatives. Immediate relatives include spouses of US Citizens, unmarried children of US Citizens under the age of 21, and parents of US Citizen children over the age of 21. Immediate relative visas are not controlled by annual quotas and are immediately available.
Under our current law, visas are also available for “non-immediate” family members. These visa types are for specific, more distant, family relationships with a U.S. citizen, but there are also some available for specific family relationships of permanent residents. It is important to note that there are numerical limitations on these types of visas and it can often take many years before the visa becomes available.
To see which visa category is best for you and your family members, contact one of our attorneys today to schedule your consultation. Contact us today!
Adjustment of Status
Adjustment of status is the process used to apply for lawful permanent resident status (also known as applying for a Green Card) when you are present in the United States. This means that you may get a Green Card without having to return to your home country to complete visa processing. There are two big questions to answer before submitting an adjustment of status application to apply for permanent residency: Is a visa available yet? Is the immigrant allowed to file for adjustment of status as the application method? It is important to understand that only people who are “immediate relatives” (spouses, parents, or minor children of U.S. citizens) or those who have had an immigrant visa become current in the family or employment immigration category are able to proceed with the adjustment of status process. Special rules apply to those applicants who entered without permission and those who may or may not require a waiver. If you or a family member has questions about how to become a permanent resident by applying for adjustment of status or consular processing, our office can help. Contact us today!
Green Card Renewal
Today’s green cards expire after a period of ten years. If you fail to renew your green card before the expiration date, you may not be able to prove that you are lawfully living and working in the United States. The same can be said if your green card is lost or stolen. It is to your benefit to renew your green card at least six months before its expiration to avoid any potential legal difficulties. If your green card has already expired, or if you have had complications arise since the last time you renewed your green card, it is recommended that you consult with an attorney prior to filing your renewal. Contact us today!
