Immigration USA – Six ways to get a green card
Many roads lead to Rome: for those wishing to emigrate, the coveted green card is the goal at the end of a long and often arduous process. Below are six ways in which a potential immigrant can obtain the much desired “green card”, including marriage, family reunification, jobs or investments. Green card holders who wish to spend extended periods of time outside the U.S. must apply for a reentry permit and follow the rules for staying outside the U.S. to avoid losing their green card.
Advantages of the Green Card
Holding a US Green Card offers numerous advantages. As a Green Card holder, you have the right to live and work in the USA without restriction. You can choose your place of residence freely and enter and leave the country without restrictions. You also benefit from lower tuition fees at US universities. After a few years as a GreenCard holder, you have the opportunity to acquire US citizenship, which gives you additional rights and benefits.
Marriage of a US citizen
A very common way to obtain a green card is to marry a US citizen. However, this alone does not entitle you to residency. Only by applying for the necessary immigration papers and an interview with a US immigration officer is the stay put on a legal basis.
US-American children, parents, siblings
Other family relationships can also pave the way to a green card. It should be noted that there are often long waiting times for adult children and siblings before a Green Card number is issued. This is because all Green Card categories are limited in number, with a few exceptions: Children under the age of 21, spouses and parents.
Job offer in a US company
If you are offered a job in an American company, you can also obtain a green card as a foreign worker. However, this regulation only applies if the company cannot find an American who is qualified and willing to perform the position offered and if the company can pay the prescribed average wage. In addition, the employer must prove that the specific job cannot be filled by a US citizen, which makes the green card application process considerably complicated and costly.
Special skills
Artists, athletes, scientists or particularly qualified business people can obtain a green card without a specific job offer solely on the basis of their special qualifications. Certain individuals with exceptional abilities must demonstrate these in order to successfully apply for a green card. The prerequisite is a detailed presentation of these skills and the benefits they could bring to the USA.
EB-5 Investor Green Card
The investment of either half a million or one million US dollars must be in very specific projects approved by the government or in the purchase or establishment of a US company. The green card is initially issued for two years and only approved indefinitely thereafter if you can prove that your investment has created jobs and stimulated the economy.
Green Card Lottery
Every year, the USA gives away 55,000 green cards. However, those who win do not simply receive them in the post. Another bureaucratic process has to be completed first. It is important that the winners react quickly, as twice as many winners are drawn each year as there are actually green cards available.
US-American children, parents, siblings
Other family relationships can also pave the way to a green card. It should be noted that there are often long waiting times for adult children and siblings before a Green Card number is issued. This is because all Green Card categories are limited in number, with a few exceptions: Children under the age of 21, spouses and parents.
Rights and obligations as a Green Card holder
Possession of a US Green Card offers numerous advantages. As a green card holder, you have the right to live and work in the USA without restriction, to choose your place of residence freely and to enter and leave the country without restrictions. You also benefit from lower tuition fees at US universities and can acquire additional benefits such as US citizenship after a few years. However, you are also obliged to comply with US laws and pay taxes, as is the case for US citizens.
Applying for a green card
There are various ways to apply for a US green card: via the green card lottery, an employment-based green card, a family-based green card or an investment-based green card. For many, the GreenCard Lottery is the easiest and most cost-effective way to obtain a GreenCard. The costs vary depending on the route chosen. While the lottery mainly incurs basic costs, employment-based and family-based GreenCards may incur additional costs due to necessary proof and affidavits.
This article does not constitute legal advice, but is for general information purposes only.
