Green card: five ways to obtain a residence permit (residence permit) in the USA

Obtaining a residence permit in the USA

The USA is one of the most prosperous countries in the world. A high standard of living, decent wages and reliable social guarantees attract thousands of people from all over the world to obtain a residence permit in the United States. Of course, you can go to America after receiving a temporary stamp in your passport. For example, a work visa for employment in the USA. You will be able to live and earn money in this country, but after a certain period you will have to return home. In addition, visa holders cannot fully experience all the benefits of living in the USA. Every American resident has the right to social security and quality healthcare. Even unemployed people live well on benefits. And this is only part of the advantages of living in America.

American citizenship

If everything worked out for you while living in the United States on a Green Card, you can think about obtaining full citizenship and becoming a full-fledged member of society. This is not at all necessary, because you can live with the Green Card for the rest of your life. But, for true citizens of America there are a number of privileges that should not be given up:

1. Anyone who has lived in any state for at least 5 years and owns real estate has the right to apply for citizenship. This is how the government makes sure that you understand all aspects of living in the country and have your own home. In legal practice, this process is called naturalization.
2. To obtain citizenship of the country, you need to submit an application several months before the end of the 5-year period to the service that deals with issues of immigrants in the United States.
3. Next, employees check the candidate for serious offenses and cases of violation of the law. Of course, parking incorrectly or exceeding the speed limit is unlikely to influence the main decision. But more serious offenses can easily become a reason for refusal.
4. If the initial stage is successful, an exam date is set. It consists of monitoring the level of knowledge of the English language, understanding of the political structure of the country, history and economy of America. This is a really difficult test, so we recommend that you take the exam as seriously as possible. Agree, it will be very disappointing not to obtain US citizenship just because the presidents were mixed up, or all the states that are part of the country were not named. In addition to the main block, there may be questions that relate to the criminal code or tax legislation. Many people fail to complete the task the first time, so they have to take the exam a second time. If it is difficult to learn the entire volume of information, you can enroll in special courses that deal with preparation.
5. At the final stage, all that remains is to take an oath of allegiance to the United States. Americans have a high level of patriotism and love their own country. That is why they are so sensitive to the oath of allegiance.

This is interesting: Where to order a technical passport for an apartment

If everything was done correctly and on time, it means that very soon you can be called a full-fledged American.

Migration to America is now very popular not only among young people, but also among experienced professionals who go abroad in search of a better life. As you can see, there are several main ways to obtain a Green Card. All that remains is to choose the most acceptable one, collect documents and submit an application.

If you do not have time for registration, or would like to speed up the procedure, you can contact a specialized agency that will take care of all the problems. True, it will cost much more.

Watch a video on how to immigrate to the USA:

Noticed a mistake? Select it and press Ctrl+Enter to let us know.

Our videos

/

Philip Orlov: immigration to the USA, political asylum 2018

Yulia Golinevich - How to get a tourist visa to the USA

Yulia Golinevich. How to get a fiance visa to the USA. Visa K1/K2

Yulia Golinevich - how to prepare for an interview at the US Embassy

Yulia Golinevich – US visa after refusal 2018

Filling out an application for a US visa 2021. Detailed instructions on how to correctly fill out DS 160

Student visa to the USA 2021. Secrets and practices of obtaining a student visa

US visa extension. Re-obtaining a visa. US visa without interview.

US visa: Schedule an interview at the US Embassy 2018

Our channel

• Yulia Golinevich - How to get a tourist visa to the USA. B1/B2 visa to USA
• Yulia Golinevich. How to get a fiance visa to the USA. Visa K1/K2
• Yulia Golinevich - how to prepare for an interview at the US Embassy
• Yulia Golinevich – US visa after refusal 2018
• Filling out an application for a US visa 2021. Detailed instructions on how to correctly fill out DS 160
• Philip Orlov: immigration to the USA, political asylum 2018
• Go to channel

If you want to move to the United States permanently, you will need a residence permit, in other words, a Green Card. It can be obtained in the following ways:

1. Family reunification - carried out if there are close relatives legally living in the United States.
2. Marriage to an American citizen.
3. Official work.
4. Opening or acquiring a business.
5. Education in the USA with subsequent employment.
6. Drawing of a residence permit in the annual Green Card lottery.
7. Investing in the American economy on a large scale. This also includes real estate that you can purchase.
8. Assignment of refugee status.

Obtaining a residence permit in the USA is as follows:

• You open a visa according to your purpose of visit, for example, work. After 3 years of staying there you will be able to receive a Green Card. It is worth noting that your visa may need to be renewed.
• When you receive the right to a residence permit, you will need to collect a certain package of documents. They are served strictly by appointment. In addition, you will have an interview at the consulate.

The Tour-Partner Migration Center will be happy to help you sort out all the formalities and obtain a residence permit in the USA. By contacting us, you will receive:

• detailed consultation on how to obtain a residence permit (Green Card) and what papers are required for this;
• compiling a list of documents and collecting them;
• filling out all necessary questionnaires and forms;
• preparing the applicant for the interview;

You can discuss the details of cooperation with us or clarify any question about obtaining a residence permit in America by phone or online at any convenient time.

Methods of obtaining

US legislation provides for many categories of visas, which later make it possible to obtain a residence permit. Among these methods are the following:

• reunification of relatives with their family;
• an invitation to work or participate in various business projects in America;
• investment participation in the country involves investing at least 500 thousand dollars and creating jobs for American citizens;
• by decision of the head of US national intelligence;
• received as winnings in the Diversity Lottery.

Indeed, this document can even be won in a lottery that takes place annually. Depending on the chosen method of obtaining a green card, the list of necessary documents, as well as the procedure for obtaining a residence permit, will depend.

Marrying a US citizen is considered one of the easiest and most reliable ways to obtain a green card. And at the same time, the document opens up opportunities for a person for the longest possible period.

Initially, after marriage, a green card is issued to a foreign spouse for 2 years. During this time, the marriage is carefully checked by the migration service. And at the end of this period, employees make their decision on the legitimacy of the union. After confirmation of the legality of the marriage, a permanent green card is issued, which opens up the possibility of further naturalization of the foreigner in the new country.

In general, the algorithm of actions is as follows:

1. Marry an American or a holder of the same permanent green card.
2. Send the documents along with the application for the card to the migration service.
3. Pass an interview. The specialist will try to find out your true intentions why you want to receive this document.
4. Get a temporary green card valid for 2 years.
5. Live in marriage for this period, and regularly undergo checks of the fictitiousness of the marriage by the migration service.
6. Submit an application for a permanent residence permit . This must be done several months before the expiration of the temporary document.
7. Go through the interview again and document that you are still married to this citizen.
8. Receive the finished document . After this, you can further plan to obtain American citizenship.

On the one hand, everything here is quite simple. Therefore, there are many who want to enter into a fictitious marriage in order to obtain such a document. But it is worth remembering that this violation is a criminal offense in America. And in the best case, the foreigner is deported from the country, and in the worst case, he can be put behind bars for several years.

Worker residence permit

To obtain a green card in this way, you need to find an employer who will go through a special procedure to invite you to America as the qualified specialist he needs. Employees cannot independently request such a document. Therefore, this method is not suitable for everyone, and it is used mainly by representatives of in-demand professions, mostly of a narrow focus.

Here there is an option to obtain a temporary green card, valid strictly for the duration of the work contract. But for this you need to come to the country on a work visa. There are several categories of such work visas in the United States:

1. H1 B . Designed for highly qualified specialists in the field of medicine, science, IT, finance, architecture. In this case, the employer simply needs to prove that he needs a foreign specialist, and local workers do not have sufficient qualifications.
2. L1 . This type is issued to employees in the event of opening a branch in America, when the main company is located in another country.
3. J1 . This visa is issued for 6 months for special training. This mainly includes student exchange programs. At the same time, the visa itself makes it possible to find permanent work in the States and apply for a permanent green card.
4. B. _ This category is available to employees of companies that are business investors or active partners in the United States.

Every employee applying for a work visa and residence permit is required to document their qualifications and professional skills.

The algorithm of actions will be as follows:

1. Signing a contract with an American employer for a certain period of time or on an ongoing basis.
2. Filling out a request to the employer so that he initiates the submission of an application on his behalf for the issuance of a green card to a foreign worker.
3. Submission of documents by the employer justifying the need to invite a foreign employee.
4. Verification of the applicant by the migration service for compliance with his declared qualifications.
5. Issuance of a document in case of successful verification.

Next, the employee and the organization are often checked by migration service employees. And if a violation is detected, the company may be fined, and the employee himself may be deprived of a residence permit. You can learn more about this from the video presented.

Lottery

The right to receive a card in this way is granted only to:

• adult foreigners born in a country included in the list of participants;
• the applicant must not have problems with the law in his country;
• he should not have medical contraindications or other restrictions.

The application can be submitted through a special website. If you win, not only one person receives the card, but also his wife and children, if they wish.

The algorithm of actions here is as follows:

1. You must fill out a form containing information about yourself and your family.
2. Wait for the draw and find out the results. If successful, you can move on to the next steps.
3. Prepare the required package of documents.
4. Undergo a special medical examination to confirm that the person is healthy.
5. Come at the invitation sent and undergo an interview.
6. If the interview is successful, travel to the States and receive a card.

Every year many foreign citizens apply for participation, so the chances of winning are quite small. But there are still many lucky people who managed to get the coveted green card in this way.

Documents for residence permit in the USA

The success of obtaining a residence permit in the USA largely depends on how accurately and correctly you prepare the list of documents required by the consulate. Of course, you should proceed to collecting papers only after all the above conditions have been met. The list of documents to submit may vary depending on the specifics of your case, in addition, consular officers may require you to provide additional certificates. additional information. But most often, applicants are required to:

• foreign and internal passport;
• birth certificate;
• medical record with test results;
• certificate of good conduct;
• military ID - for men and women liable for military service.
• information about marital status and children;
• data on financial status and work;
• evidence of the right to obtain a residence permit in the USA.

By using the services of the Tour-Partner migration center, you will be confident in the correctness of the package of documents, the ability to fill out all the necessary forms and questionnaires, and will also receive assistance in preparing for the interview, which will significantly increase your chances of receiving the coveted Green Card.

What does a residence permit in the USA provide?

A temporary stamp in your passport will not give you the right to experience all the delights of living in the USA. After all, there is no visa that would give the right to work, study, and vacation with treatment at the same time. In turn, a residence permit (Green Card) gives the applicant almost all the rights of a US citizen, with the exception of the right to vote in elections.

In addition to legal residence in the United States on a permanent basis, it is worth noting other advantages of a residence permit. With the Green Card you will have access to:

• Study at the best universities in the USA and the opportunity to receive a scholarship.
• Highly paid job with comfortable working conditions.
• Creating your own business.
• Investing for the purpose of generating income.
• Various social benefits, as well as reliable legal protection.
• Obtaining mortgages and loans from local banks on more favorable terms.
• Quality medicine.
• A decent standard of living and endless opportunities to unlock your potential. For example, Green Card holders can even become state governors.
• Freely leave the country and return back.

In addition to rights, the Green Card holder is also assigned certain responsibilities. So, to maintain a residence permit in the USA, you need to:

• pay taxes and fill out an income tax return annually;
• men aged 18 to 26 years must register with the military;
• If the green card was received as a result of an invitation to work, then the period specified in the contract must be fulfilled.
• stay on the territory of the state for at least half the time of the validity of the Green Card. A long absence (from 6 months a year) may raise questions from immigration services, and in some cases you may lose your residence permit.

In order to learn more about the process and methods of obtaining a residence permit, please contact the visa specialists of our “Tour-Partner” migration center for advice. They will give qualified answers to all your questions, as well as analyze your situation and, based on it, create an action algorithm that is most suitable for your case!

The article was edited by a lawyer

Yulia Golinevich

Yulia Golinevich​ – immigration lawyer. Since 2012, she has been helping people move and get legalized to the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Poland. Works with complex visas for business, employment, education, family immigration or marriage, as well as complex situations, refusals, cancellations or deportations.

Types of cards

The coveted green card is divided into several categories, each of which has its own characteristics for the owner:

• permanent , this is the most complete format of this type of document, providing broad rights and opportunities to its owner, including unlimited travel from the country to other countries and returning to it;
• conditional, provided to persons who have recently married an American until they are issued a permanent residence permit, and for this it is necessary to undergo a full verification of the marriage and prove that it is not fictitious;
• temporary, issued for a certain period necessary for the foreigner to carry out labor, cultural, educational or other activities in America.

Obtaining a permanent card opens up great opportunities for a foreigner, so everyone strives to get it. It provides:

• the opportunity to live freely in the country in any state on a permanent basis;
• the opportunity to work, with such a document you can even get a job in government services;
• the opportunity to purchase and own local real estate located in the United States;
• free visa-free entry into the country, as well as exit from it without any restrictions;
• the right to send invitations to the country to their family and friends, with the help of which they will later be able to obtain one of the types of visas and visit America.

This is interesting: Certificate of a veteran of military service

But along with these privileges, the cardholder also has some responsibilities that must be fulfilled for the entire period of ownership of the document. These responsibilities include:

• pay mandatory taxes strictly on time and submit appropriate tax returns;
• must be registered in the military ;
• comply with the obligations on the basis of which the card was issued (this condition applies to temporary and conditional card types).

Therefore, when receiving a card, you need to understand all the responsibility that comes with the privileges.