If you are not a U.S. citizen and you wish to live and work permanently in the United States, you need to obtain a Green Card, which grants you lawful permanent residency. A Green Card holder can live and work in the U.S. indefinitely and can also travel outside the country and return without any issue.
However, getting a Green Card is not an easy task, and the process can be quite complicated and lengthy. In this article, we will discuss the different ways to get a Green Card and how hard it is to obtain one.
Ways to Get a Green Card
There are different ways to get a Green Card, including family sponsorship, employment-based immigration, refugee or asylee status, and the Diversity Visa Program. Let’s discuss these in more detail.
Family Sponsorship
One of the most common ways to get a Green Card is through family sponsorship. If you have a close family member who is a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident, they can sponsor you for a Green Card. Close family members include spouses, parents, and unmarried children under the age of 21.
However, the process can take a long time, and there are strict rules about who can sponsor whom. Moreover, the process is different for U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.
Employment-Based Immigration
Another way to get a Green Card is through employment-based immigration. If you have a job offer from a U.S. employer, you can apply for a Green Card.
However, the employer must first obtain a Labor Certification from the U.S. Department of Labor to prove that there are no qualified U.S. workers available for the job. Moreover, there are different employment-based categories, and the process can be quite competitive.
Refugee or Asylee Status
If you are a refugee or asylee, you can apply for a Green Card after one year of being granted asylum or refugee status. You must meet certain eligibility criteria, and the process can be complicated and lengthy.
Diversity Visa Program
The Diversity Visa Program is a lottery program that grants Green Cards to individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. The program is run annually, and a certain number of Green Cards are granted randomly to applicants from eligible countries.
Unfortunately, the chances of getting a Green Card through this program are quite low, as the number of applicants is very high.
How Hard Is It to Get a Green Card?
The difficulty of obtaining a Green Card depends on many factors, such as the applicant’s qualifications, the type of Green Card being applied for, and the number of applicants in the particular category.
Some of the challenges that applicants may face when applying for a Green Card include:
Limited Availability of Green Cards
The U.S. government issues a limited number of Green Cards each year, and the demand for them is always high. Therefore, there is a lot of competition among applicants, and the process can be quite challenging.
Complicated Application Process
The application process for a Green Card can be quite complicated, and there are many different forms to fill out and documents to submit. Moreover, the rules and requirements can be confusing, and it can be difficult to know what information to include.
Long Wait Times
The wait times for a Green Card can be quite long, especially for certain categories. For example, the wait time for family-based Green Cards can be several years, depending on the relationship between the sponsor and the applicant.
Wait times can change depending on the number of applicants and the availability of Green Cards.
Strict Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a Green Card, applicants must meet certain eligibility criteria, such as being admissible to the United States, having no criminal record, and passing a medical exam.
Any issues with these criteria can make it difficult or even impossible to obtain a Green Card.
Language and Cultural Barriers
For non-native English speakers, language barriers can make the application process more difficult. Similarly, cultural differences can cause misunderstandings or confusion about the process and requirements.
Financial Costs
The process of obtaining a Green Card can be quite expensive, with fees for application, medical exams, and other requirements. The costs can add up quickly, and for some applicants, it may be challenging to afford.
Tips for Obtaining a Green Card
Despite the challenges, there are several things that applicants can do to improve their chances of obtaining a Green Card. Here are a few tips.
Get Professional Help
The application process for a Green Card can be complicated and confusing, and it is essential to get professional help. an immigration lawyer can help with your case by navigating the process, ensuring that you meet all the requirements, and avoiding mistakes that could delay or derail your application.
Keep Your Records Up-to-Date
Throughout the application process, keeping all your records up-to-date is essential. This includes your passport, medical exams, police certificates, and other required documentation.
Any delays or problems with your records can cause delays or even lead to your application being denied.
Be Patient
Obtaining a Green Card can take a long time, and it is essential to be patient. The wait times can vary, and there is often little that applicants can do to speed up the process. Patience and persistence can help you stay focused and motivated throughout the process.
Look for Other Options
While obtaining a Green Card may be the ultimate goal, there may be other options available to you in the meantime. For example, you may be able to obtain a work visa or student visa that can allow you to stay in the United States while you work on your Green Card application.
With the tips and strategies outlined in this article, you can improve your chances of success and work towards obtaining permanent residency in the United States.
About the author:
How does one combine a passion for journalism with a strong sense of justice? For Crystal Davis, the choice was simple: legal journalism. Born and raised in a family of attorneys but wanting to approach the law from an investigative angle, Crystal decided that people would not hear her voice in the court, but online, in magazines, journals, and other platforms. When she is not studying active lawsuits closely to report on them, she writes public-friendly articles detangling the complicated threads representing the American legal system.
