subject: Green Card and USCIS Process [print this page] Green Card and USCIS Process Green Card and USCIS Process
A green card holder is a person who has been authorized to live and work in the United States permanently. As an authorization of that status the person gets a green card, USCIS approved permanent resident status.
A Green Card gives the right to live and work permanently in the United States, to work in any company or institution, to start own business or create own corporation, gives the privilege to sponsor spouse and unmarried children below 21 years, provides Social Security benefits, allows to legally own properties, allows to leave and enter US and apply to become a US citizen once the individual is eligible.
USCIS forms
A person may become a permanent resident in many ways. Permanent Resident status is mostly obtained through family members or by employment in the United States. Certain other people obtain permanent resident status through refugee or asylum status.
To obtain a green card USCIS requires an individual to go through various processes which are based on whether he/she is currently living inside or outside the United States. The main categories to obtain Green Card are:
* Green Card Through Family - this is when a family member petitions for the individual to obtain a green card
* Green Card Through Employment - US employer must file a petition based on the individual's employment with him in United States
* Green Card Through Refugee or Asylum Status - if the individual is a refugee or an asylee he/she may obtain green card in this category
* Green Card through Green Card Lottery - if the individual is born in an eligible country and meets the other eligibility requirements he/she may then obtain green card through this lottery program.
Green Card - USCIS Process:
The green card USCIS process allows an individual to obtain a green card through two basic methods. One is if the individual is a beneficiary of an approved petition for Green card and has an immigrant visa number immediately available, he/she may then apply at the US Embassy or a consulate at home country for an immigrant visa for the individual to come to the United States and to be given the permanent resident status. This process is known as Consular Processing.
If the individual is already in the United States, he/she may then apply for Green Card through USCIS without having to return to their home country to complete the processing. This process is known as Adjustment of Status.
First, an applicant must determine the basis to Immigrate (either consular processing or adjustment of status).
Here is the step by step process involved in obtaining green card by consular processing.
1. File the immigrant petition
2. Wait for a decision on the petition
3. Wait for notification from the National Visa Center
4. Attend interview and notify the National Visa Center of any changes
5. Receive the green card
If the processing is based on adjustment of status, then to get a green card, USCIS requires the following procedure:
1. Applicant must file the petition with the local USCIS office .
2. USCIS will review the petition and may request the applicant to appear for interview.
3. If the petition is approved, the applicant will receive a notification letter.
