Looking to live and work permanently in the United States?
A green card, officially known as a United States Permanent Resident Card, is a document that provides evidence of an individual’s lawful permanent residency in the United States. Holding a green card allows an individual to live and work in the U.S. permanently.
Legal Permanent Residency
- A green card holder is a legal permanent resident of the United States. This status allows the individual to reside and work in the U.S. indefinitely.
Issued by USCIS
- The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is responsible for issuing green cards.
Various Categories
- Green cards can be obtained through various immigration categories, including family-sponsored immigration, employment-based immigration, refugee or asylee status, the Diversity Visa Program, and other special programs.
Family Sponsored Green Cards
- Family-sponsored green cards are obtained through family relationships with U.S. citizens or permanent residents. This includes spouses, parents, children, and siblings.
Employment-Based Green Cards
- Employment-based green cards are obtained through employment sponsorship. Different preference categories exist based on the type of employment and the individual’s qualifications.
Conditional Permanent Residency
- In some cases, individuals initially receive a conditional green card. For example, conditional permanent residency is granted to individuals who obtain a green card through marriage. Conditions must be removed within a specified period.
Renewal and Replacement
- Green cards typically have a validity period of 10 years. Green card holders are required to renew their cards before they expire. Lost, stolen, or damaged green cards can be replaced.
Rights and Responsibilities
- Green card holders have the right to live and work anywhere in the U.S. They are also eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship after meeting certain residency requirements. Green card holders must obey U.S. laws and pay taxes.
Paths to Citizenship
- While holding a green card, individuals can pursue a path to U.S. citizenship by meeting eligibility requirements and applying for naturalization.
Traveling with a Green Card
- Green card holders are generally free to travel in and out of the United States. However, extended periods of travel or residing abroad may impact the determination of continuous residency.
What are the steps for a Green Card?
- File Immigrant Petition Submit an immigrant petition (e.g., Form I-130 or I-140) to USCIS.
- Wait for USCIS Decision: USCIS reviews the petition; if approved, it moves to the National Visa Center (NVC) or stays with USCIS for adjustment of status.
- Wait for Visa Availability (if applicable) For family-sponsored or employment-based green cards, wait for a visa to become available, as indicated by the Visa Bulletin.
- Consular Processing or Adjustment of Status: Apply for an immigrant visa through consular processing or adjust status within the U.S. by filing Form I-485.
- Biometrics Appointment Attend a biometrics appointment for fingerprinting and identity verification.
- USCIS Interview and Decision Attend an interview with USCIS if required; the interview assesses the application’s validity and eligibility for a green card. USCIS makes a decision, and if approved, the individual receives a green card.
Let’s navigate this journey together.
From one immigrant to another, we’re here for you.
HBM Law is an immigration-focused law firm representing foreign nationals, couples, and their families. We are bilingual lawyers specialising in U.S. visas, green cards, citizenships, waivers, and beyond. If you’re in need of compassionate, practical, and professional legal advice, our team looks forward to hearing from you.
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Other Immigration Services Not Listed Here?
If you have searched “immigration lawyer near me in Iowa,” you might have come across our HBM Law Offices based in West Des Moines (IA) known for being the immigrant’s immigration lawyer in the community of Iowa. With regional touch points in Iowa, Singapore, and India, we have been representing clients nationwide and across the world since 2012.
12+ years experience in family law and immigration law.
HBM Law is one of Iowa’s few immigration law firms who are predominantly immigrants with a laser focus on family immigration. We stay ahead of all things on immigration practices in U.S. immigration law. Our immigration firm offers specialized care and attention for immigration matters that are difficult to find elsewhere in Iowa.
5-Star immigration lawyer for your immigration case success.
We guide you every step of the way with tailored legal advice and support including green card, citizenship, fiancé(e) and spouse visa applications, waiver for unlawful presence (I-601A provisional waiver), fraud, misrepresentation, VAWA, removal of conditions (I-751 waiver), vaccination waivers, naturalization medical exemptions, and more. Our consistent 5-Star track record demonstrates our commitment to achieving successful outcomes for families.
Team of immigration lawyers who are all about families.
Principal immigration attorney, Himani Bhardwaj, is an Indian national who became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2010. The HBM law firm’s team understands the unique cultural and linguistic needs of immigrants and their families navigating the United States legal system. We are by your side to advocate for your rights ensuring your applications are handled with respect and compassion.
Although the services listed above are the common ones, we do represent clients on a case-by-case basis. Each situation is special and deserves personalized attention. We’re here to listen and to understand your story on an individual basis. We encourage you to reach out and share more about your story with us. Your story matters, and we’re eager to hear it and help in any way we can.
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We are happy to help bring your loved one to you.
Our dedicated and experienced team knows family-based green cards inside and out, helping thousands of cases with 234 Five-Star reviews. Contact us today for a consultation.
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