How to Get a Green Card

How to Get a Green Card

We will show you how to get a Green Card and explain how it works so that you understand all the details of obtaining this visa.

We know that getting a Green Card is the dream of many people who want to live in the United States legally, in search of a better quality of life.

The Green Card is the most important step for those seeking permanent residency in the United States. With it, you have all the rights of a native citizen, in accordance with the country’s laws.

Green Card: What Is It?

Basically, a Green Card is a type of permanent visa issued by the United States government for foreigners, granting them the right to live and work permanently in the country.

A person with a Green Card has the same rights and responsibilities as an American citizen, such as work, education for children, access to most social benefits, and the ability to apply for the country’s citizenship after living in the United States for a few years.

Unlike American citizenship, a Green Card is a visa, so you will need to renew it at some point to remain legal in the country.

The process of obtaining a Green Card can be complex and time-consuming, with various types of visas or programs to apply for. Let’s delve into this further:

How to Get a Green Card: Choose a Visa Type

There are several ways to apply for one, so it’s essential to carefully assess which process aligns best with your profile. We’ll show you the methods of obtaining a Green Card:

Fiancé Visa – K1

This visa is the most common and considered the “easiest” to obtain. It can be issued both in the United States and in your home country.

Due to its popularity as a gateway to the country, the government has made this type of visa more challenging to secure.

You need to remain married for two years to the American citizen, and at the end of this period, you can apply to transition from the provisional Green Card to the permanent one.

EB3 Visa – EW3 Visa

The EB3 visa is for skilled workers, especially those with significant expertise in their fields, particularly in areas strategically important to the United States.

The EW3 visa, on the other hand, is for unskilled labor. It involves a complicated process, and it’s recommended to seek assistance from a specialized agency.

In essence, your visa is sponsored by an employer, and you must work for at least a year at a lower hourly wage.

SL6 Visa

A lesser-known visa is the SL6 (Special Youth Emigrant). To obtain this visa, you must be under 21 years old and reside in the United States without your parents’ support.

Being a minor and alone in the United States, you will need government assistance to build your life. The completed process may take up to two years.

Investor Visa

Individuals who wish to invest over $1 million in the country can obtain a Green Card to start their own business. They must also commit to employing a minimum of 10 American workers for at least two years.

It is also possible for a company to open a branch in the United States, and in such cases, executives gain the right to a Green Card.

Military Enlistment

After residing in the United States for two years, you can enlist in the American military, which may be a more straightforward path when you are a student.

Once you are approved for military service, you automatically obtain your Green Card.

What Are the Fees for Applying for a Green Card?

The process of obtaining a Green Card comes with various costs. Therefore, it’s essential to prepare financially to avoid delays and complications.

Some of the fees involved in the process include:

• Application fee;
• Support fees;
• Medical fees, in case of a required examination;
• Immigration fee;
• Administrative fees;
• Employment certification fee.