Green Card via Registry is suitable for aliens who have been living in the United States continuously since entering on or before January 1, 1972

Overview:

Generally, there are five ways to become a lawful permanent resident –

• Sponsorship by a relative who resides in the U.S. who either a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident (See Green Card through Relative);
• Sponsorship by an employer through an offer of employment in the U.S. (See Employment Based Green Card );
• By winning diversity visa lottery (See Green Card Lottery) ;
• By investing money in business (See Green Card through Investment); or
• By immigrating as a "Special Immigrant" (See Special Immigrant Green Cards)

Other ways to obtain green card include: green card via the Registry - Provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act; fiancée, adoption, and asylum & refugees.

Green card through registry permits you to obtain permanent residence status, only if you have been present in the United States since January 1, 1972. It would allow you to attain the green card even if you initially entered the U.S. illegally or if you are illegally in the U.S. now.

Definition of Registry:

Registry is a provision located in section 249 of the US Immigration and Nationality Act. It permits a person to obtain green card if he or she can prove that they have resided in the U.S. continuously since before January 1, 1972.

Eligibility Requirements:

In order to qualify for immigration through registry, you must

• have entered the U.S. prior to January 1,1972;
• have continuously resided in the United States since entry;
• be a person of good moral character – certain actions such as gambling, alcoholism, making false statements to obtain an immigration benefit prevent a person from showing good moral character.
  have never participated in Nazi persecutions or genocide;
• have never engaged in terrorist activities;
• not have certain criminal or security grounds.

In addition, any foreign national who fails to depart after agreeing to voluntary departure or who fails to appear at a removal hearing, is ineligible for registry for a period of ten years. Also, J-1 visa holders subject to the two year home residency requirement are not eligible to apply for the registry unless they have obtained a waiver of the requirement.

Benefits:

While waiting to qualify for permanent residence in the United States under registry,

• You are permitted to travel in and outside the U.S., providing that you have first received an Advance Parole from the USCIS.
• You are eligible to apply for a work permit. For that you should file the application for employment authorization.

Application Process:

First, you should file the Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Also submit the completed form G-325A which asks for biographical information about an alien. Along with the form, you should submit the evidence that you have continuously resided in the United States prior to January 1, 1972. Also you should prove that you are eligible and that registry should be granted in the exercise of discretion. The application form should be filed to the USCIS district office having jurisdiction over the place of your residence. No medical exam is required to qualify for immigration through registry.

Once your application is approved, you will be granted lawful permanent residence status as of the date of approval. If your application is denied, the applicant may renew the application for registry in front of a U.S. Immigration Judge.

At immspec.com, we have an excellent team of professionals who are ready to provide you with initial consultation. For any queries regarding green card via registry, you may contact us.