Green Card

As far as legal documents for immigrants to the US are concerned, none are as sought after as the Green Card. In fact, this document is so important that there has even been a Hollywood movie based on it.

Officially named the Permanent Residency Card,  the  Green Card is special because it allows access to most jobs and unlike the various work or student visas, there are  no time limitations placed upon the successful recipients. They can stay in the United States indefinitely and even apply for citizenship and permanent residency.

A Green Card can be applied for and granted under several different circumstances including employment sponsored, family based and the Diversity Lottery.

Employer Sponsorship

H1B Work Visa holders are eligible to apply to have their visas extended to a total of six years and during this period may have their Green Card application sponsored by their employer.

Although getting a Green Card via employer sponsorship is a long and complex process, it is an effective option if the employer is convinced of the applicant’s long-term value to his company.

Diversity Lottery

It may seem strange, but one of the most common ways to obtain a Green Card is a game of chance – the Diversity or Green Card Lottery.

50,000 Diversity Lottery visas are distributed internationally each year depending on which region has sent the fewest immigrants over the previous 5 years. Winners per country are chosen randomly within the regional allocation.

There are always more Diversity Lottery winners than there are visas available because it is expected that not every winner will proceed with his or her application and that some who do will not qualify or meet all requirements.

So although it is a faster route to a Green Card than seeking Employer Sponsorship, the Diversity Lottery is no guarantee of an eventual permanent immigrant visa. Winners must first prove their eligibility and attend an interview before the Green Card is finally issued.

Marriage

Receiving a Green Card via marriage is another option and this is the subject of the Green card movie mentioned earlier. Simply arranging a marriage with a US citizen is not enough; the union must be seen to be a true love marriage and not a financial ‘arrangement’.

The Government has placed a series of traps and set some specific requirements to prevent immigrants from cheating the system.

Learn more about Green Card Applications and Eligibility.