“Green Card”: Permanent Residence

Ways to get a Green Card

There are several ways to obtain a green card:

• Through family,• Through a Job,• Through Refugee or Asylee Status• Other Ways to Get a Green Card

What is a Green Card Holder?

A Green Card holder is someone who has been granted authorization to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis. You can become a permanent resident several different ways.

Green Card Through Family

You may be eligible as:

• an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen,

• a family member of a U.S. citizen

• a family member of a green card holder

• a member of a special category

• •

Immediate Relative

To promote family unity, immigration allows U.S.

citizens to petition for relatives to come and live in

the U.S. Eligible immediate relatives include:

• Spouse• Unmarried children under the age of 21• Parents

Family Member of a U.S. Citizen

If your relationship does not qualify you as an

immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, you could use

“family preference categories.” which are:

• Unmarried sons or daughters over the age of 21• Married child(ren) of any age• Brothers and sisters

These are limited to individuals who meet particular qualifications and/or apply during certain

time frames. Examples are:

• Battered Spouse or Child• K Nonimmigrant • Person Born to a Foreign Diplomat in the United States• V Nonimmigrant• Widow(er) of a U.S. Citizen

Green Card Through Special Categories of Family

Family Member of a Permanent Resident

A permanent resident may petition for:

• His/her spouse

• Unmarried son/daughter of any age

Green Card Through a Job

• Through a Job OfferBased on an offer of permanent employment in the U.S.

• Through InvestmentAvailable to investors/entrepreneurs who are making an investment in an enterprise that creates new U.S. jobs.

• Through Self PetitionSome immigrant categories allow you to file for yourself, available for either “Aliens of Extraordinary Ability” or certain individuals granted a National Interest Waiver.

There are a number of specialized jobs that may allow you to get a green card based on a past orcurrent job such as:• Broadcaster,• International Organization Employee, • NATO-6 Nonimmigrant, • Religious Worker, or • Afghan/Iraqi Translator

Green Card through special categories of jobs

Green Card Through Refugee or Asylee Status

• If you were admitted to the United States as a refugee or a qualifying family member of an asylee or if you were granted asylum in the United States you may apply for permanent residence 1 year after you entered.

Other Ways to Get a Green Card

• The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program or “Green Card lottery”

• Victims of Human Trafficking

• Victim of Criminal Activity

• Haitian Refugee

• And more

Green Card Processes

Each Green Card category will have specific steps and procedures to follow. You can apply either while in the United States, known as “adjustment of status”, or while outside the United States, known as “consular processing”.

“For legal advice on immigration issues, make sure that the person you visit is legally authorized to give such advice. Protect yourself and your family members from “Notarios” and ”immigration consultant” fraud. Always consult an attorney specializing in immigration law...”

The Law Office of Kravitz & Guerra

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