Green Cards
Receiving a Green Card, also known as Lawful Permanent Residence, means that you live and work in the United States permanently. You can obtain Lawful Permanent Residence status in many different ways. If you have an O-1 Visa, commonly the employer would sponsor you to get your “green card”. If you do not have a visa, or if your employer is unwilling to sponsor, there are many other options available. We can more fully discuss your options together.
After Permanent Legal Residency has been granted, you may apply for Naturalization and Citizenship within five years. There are certain guidelines that need to be met before Citizenship can be obtained. Working together, we can determine when you should apply for citizenship.
Self-Petition for a Green Card
Dancers and artists of extraordinary ability may also self-petition for a “green card,” also known as “Legal Permanent Residence.”
No job offer or sponsorship is required.
Family-Based Immigration
If you wish to obtain a visa for a spouse, fiancé(e), child, parent or other family member, we will together explore the many and various options available to you and your family. There are visas available for immediate relatives, such as spouses of U.S. citizens, children of U.S. citizens (under 21 years of age,) and parents of U.S. citizens. The process involves filing a petition, paying various fees to the government agencies, and submitting paperwork. This is the fastest way to unite a family in the United States. Call me so we discuss your particular facts and determine the best way to file on your family's behalf.
For other relatives, and for relatives of Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders), there are preference categories which determine the proper avenue. A first preference will have a higher priority than a second, third, or fourth preference. The categories, generally speaking, are outlined as follows:
1st preference category — includes unmarried sons and daughters of a U.S. Citizen over 21 years of age;
2A preference category — spouses and children of lawful permanent residents (green card holders);
2B preference category — unmarried sons and daughters of a lawful permanent resident over 21 years of age;
3rd preference category — married sons and daughters of a U.S. Citizen;
4th preference category — brothers and sisters of a U.S. Citizen over 21 years of age.
K-1 Visas or “Fiancé(e) Visas:”
K-1 Visas are available for a fiancé(e) who is entering the United States to marry a U.S. Citizen within 90 days of entry. After the marriage takes place, an application for permanent residence may be filed.
The www.Travel.State.Gov website has additional information about family-based immigration.
Naturalization and Citizenship
The process of assisting you on your journey to live in the United States permanently can be confusing. We are here to help you get on the path to U.S. citizenship.
There are many ways to qualify for naturalization:
1. If you have been a permanent resident for at least five years and meet other requirements;
2. If you have been a permanent resident for at least three years, are married to a United States citizen and meet other eligibility requirements;
3. Your child may qualify if your child was born outside the United States and the child is residing outside the United States and you are a United States citizen;
4. If you served in the armed forces and meet other requirements.
You can read more about citizenship requirements at the following link: www.uscis.gov
