The Green Card, Green Card or US Permanent Residence Card is a document that authorizes its holder to have permanent residence in the United States. It is a permanent residence visa issued by the US government. If you live or intend to live in the US, read this article and see all the ways to get a Green Card.
How to get the Green Card
If you are looking to obtain a Green Card, it means that you want a visa to live in the USA. Nevertheless, in what cases is this possible? Who can have a Green Card? To get a Green Card, there are a few possibilities –
- Have sponsorship from a family member who is a US citizen
- Having an American Spouse or Marrying a US Citizen
- If you already have another visa (for example investor (EB-5 and E-2), work (H-1B), transfer), or K-1 visa
- Winning the Green Card in a lottery, annually made in the United States
Sponsorship
In case you have a sponsorship, it must fit in one of the following cases – Immediate Relative US Citizen, Immediate Relative Permanent Resident in the US (Green Card Holder), and Employer in the United States, known as employment sponsorship. Once you already have this sponsor, they must file a petition with the US Citizenship and Immigration Service on your behalf. Once the petition is approved, you can request the Green Card. Each situation varies with who the sponsor is. While a US citizen can sponsor their children, spouse, parents and siblings, a permanent resident can only sponsor their spouse and unmarried children.
Through another visa
If you are in the US and already have another visa, you can always apply for the Green Card. You will need to fill out an “adjustment of status” (form I-485) and go to the interview. You do not have to go back to your country for that.
Lottery: Diversity Immigrant Visa Program
Another way to obtain a permanent visa is through the well-known “lottery”, which is nothing more than an annual draw of 55,000 “diversity visas” for immigrants from certain countries, listed annually.
Immigrant visa and non-immigrant visa: differences
You will need to know how to get a visa for the US, regardless of the duration or reason for the trip. What type of visa? The type of visa to be requested will vary depending on the purpose of the trip – for those who wish to spend only a certain time in the country (whether for tourism, study, business, medical treatment or etc.), the visa will be for a non-immigrant. For those who are looking to build a life on American soil, the visa is for immigrants, and it is essential to look for ways to live in the US.
The reason for the trip alone will not always determine the type of visa. If you want to work in the United States in a temporary position, you can apply for a nonimmigrant visa. However, if you are looking to invest in a long-term career, with an expectation for the future, you will need to know how to immigrate to the US and what types of permanent US visas are available.
