If you have ever thought about migration to the United States, you must have heard such a thing as the "Green Card". How to get a US Green Card, what are its advantages and what it gives to its owner - we will talk in today's review.
What is a green card and why is it needed
A green card is a special document that gives its owner the right to reside in the United States and even work in almost any structure, even without being a citizen of the country.
The document can be of two types: unconditional (permanent) and conditional (temporary). It is not difficult to guess that the difference between them is only in the duration, and the scope of rights and obligations is the same. For example, the owner of such a document will be able to invite relatives and friends to the country, travel throughout the United States, travel outside the country and return back. You will be able to get an education in one of the US educational institutions and even expect to receive a loan on favorable terms.
The only restriction concerns the electoral right, although, if desired, this issue can be resolved. This will take 3 to 5 years. But at the same time, you need to be aware of the range of your duties, which is almost the same as those of citizens of the United States. In particular, from the moment you receive your Green Card, you will have to:
- pay taxes and file tax returns with the competent authorities (regardless of how long you were in the US and what your earnings are)
- the male part of the population between the ages of 18 and 26 is obliged to register for military service, which will significantly increase the chances of obtaining citizenship
- if you became the owner of the card at the invitation of the employer, then you must work in your specialty in one place for at least six months
- must be in the US for more than 6 months a year
- comply with local laws
Ways to get a Green Card
To become the owner of the document, you have to submit the necessary package of documents, as well as explore all possible ways to obtain it. There are several mechanisms that we will talk about.
Marriage to a US citizen
The most common way to obtain a document is by marriage to a US citizen. Please note that the marriage must be contracted in accordance with applicable laws and be recognized by the competent authorities. In particular, today such forms as civil marriage and marriage between representatives of sexual minorities are not recognized. Thus, the marriage certificate will be the decisive document for considering the application. One of the spouses who is a citizen of the country has the right to apply to the migration service.
The main advantages of this method are: general availability, speed, low cost. In this regard, cases of fictitious marriages between foreigners and Native Americans have become more frequent. If the deception is revealed, the fraudsters will face a large fine and deportation of the foreigner from the state. To identify such criminal schemes in the migration authorities, there are entire analytical and detective departments that study the life of newly-made spouses.
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Lottery or work
Participation in the lottery or official employment are no less popular ways to obtain the coveted document. A unique lottery that provides for electronic registration of participants and a drawing, the main prize in which is a Green Card, which allows both the winner and his spouse to obtain the right of permanent residence in the United States. Of course, you will have to pay for registration, and the chance of winning is proportionally dependent on the number of participants.
Obtaining a migration right on the basis of work certificates is considered more affordable in this regard. But this requires several conditions at once:
- you are a foreigner and have been cooperating with an American company for a long time
- you are in good standing with the management of the company and hold an important position
- the manager is ready to apply for granting you the right of permanent residence in the country
Shelter and investment
Those seeking asylum in the United States may also be eligible to receive the document. But be prepared that you will have to prove the threat abroad. At the same time, refugees will have to enter the country legally. This mechanism is long and costly. The chances of a successful resolution of the issue are increased with the availability of a competent lawyer.
Rich foreigners, on the other hand, can simply buy a permit. To do this, you need to transfer to accounts from 500 thousand dollars to 1 million dollars, invest in the development of an enterprise or even open a new one.
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Other methods
You can get the coveted permission in other ways. For example, if you have American relatives, you can get a card through the "reunification" program. In particular, parents and children under 21, spouses, brothers and sisters can count on this. But get ready to wait, because the review of your documents can take up to 5-10 years.
Employees who are transferred to United States companies from overseas may also be eligible for permanent residency.
That's all the answers to the question of how to get a US Green Card!
We also suggest that you read the article How to travel around the United States.
