Green Card Processing

Green card permits a person to legally live and work in the United States. There are several means to obtain a green card. A green card includes the foreign national’s photograph, signature, and fingerprint. Most people obtain green card by being sponsored by their employers or their relatives and some others acquire permanent residence through the green card lottery, and through various other ways. Green cards are also issued to the immediate family members of U.S. citizens (spouse, parent and minor child). Some of the different ways to obtain permanent residence are listed below:

• immigration through marriage;
• green card through investment;
• green card through visa lottery program;
• green card through relatives;
• immigration through International adoption;
• green card via the LIFE (Legal Immigration Family Equity Act);
• immigration through Violence Against Women Act (VAWA); and
• immigration as a "Special Immigrant".

At first, the green cards were issued by the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service). Later it has been absorbed into and replaced by the USCIS in the Department of Homeland Security. In order to attain a green card, an applicant must go through step-by-step procedure.

• The USCIS must approve an immigration petition for you which is filed by your close relative.
• The applicant will get a visa number if he/she is in the United States. Once the applicant gets the visa number, it means that an immigrant visa has been assigned to him/her.
• Once the visa number becomes available, the immigrant may apply with the USCIS to adjust their present status to permanent resident status (See Adjustment of Status). If the immigrant is residing outside the U.S. when he/she gets the visa number, then the immigrant must go to the nearby US Consulate (See U.S. Embassy & Consulate Website Locator page) to complete the green card processing.

The processing time of green card petition varies depending upon the country of nationality and the type of application. The individual who wish to immigrate to the United States has the responsibility to arrange for processing of the green card. Mostly, all green card processing must be coordinated by the individual or by hiring a private attorney.

Process for obtaining a green card:

Filing a petition for a U.S./USA green card is the first step to attain a green card. The U.S. citizens residing in America and lawful permanent residents can file the petition for you with the appropriate United States Citizenship and Immigration Services office in the United States. Nowadays, there is a provision of law which permits individuals to self-petition for a green card. To be more precise, an individual can file a petition for a green card without the sponsorship or cooperation of a close relative.

At the time of filing the petition, the petitioner must submit certain supporting documentation with the USCIS. The supporting documents required for filing the petition is listed below:

• a completed and signed application form for green card and alien registration form;
• two forward facing recent color photographs (size: 5 cm x 5 cm);
• a valid passport or any other travel documents;
• proof of medical examination;
• birth certificate;
• marriage certificate, if applicable;
• divorce or death certificate, if applicable; and more depending on the situation.