Applying for a green card is a critical step in the journey to becoming a lawful long-term resident of the United States. Here’s what you can expect during the application process, and how an experienced immigration attorney can improve your chance of approval.
Determine Your Eligibility
First, you must determine your eligibility for applying for a green card. Most green card applicants pursue family-based or employment-based lawful permanent residency. The family-based application process involves having a current U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member sponsor you for a green card. The employment-based application process extends permanent residency to foreign nationals with long-term job offers in the U.S., education/training/experience in high-skill professions, or the resources to start or invest in a U.S. business that creates new jobs for U.S. citizens.
Immigration law also extends eligibility for permanent residency to other categories of foreign nationals under specific circumstances, such as refugees, asylum seekers, diversity lottery winners, or individuals who have worked for the U.S. government or military.
File the Appropriate Paperwork
Depending on the process you can follow to apply for a green card, you must file the appropriate petition and paperwork, such as the Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative for family-based immigration or Form I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker for employment-based immigration.
Complete the Application Process
In addition to the relevant petition, you must also file application paperwork to complete the process, such as a Form I-485 Adjustment of Status if already in the U.S. or a request for consular processing if you live outside the U.S. Read the application instructions carefully to ensure you include all required information and supporting documentation. Any mistakes on your application paperwork can significantly delay the approval of your green card application.
Attend a Biometrics Appointment
The green card application process will require you to attend an appointment to submit your biometrics, including your fingerprints, photographs, and signature. The government uses this information to run background checks and to create your physical green card. USCIS will send you instructions for your biometrics appointment, which you should follow carefully. Missing your biometrics appointment may delay the processing of your application.
Prepare for Your Green Card Interview
The last significant step in the green card application process involves attending an interview with a consular or government officer. The officer conducting the interview will ask you questions about your background, educational/employment history, and travel history to confirm the legitimacy and accuracy of the information on your application and determine your eligibility for a green card.
Wait for Approval
Finally, you must wait for the final approval of your green card application. Once approved, the government will send you instructions for obtaining your green card, including what to do with your visa if entering the U.S. to commence your lawful permanent residency.
Contact an Immigration Attorney Today
An experienced immigration lawyer from Rodnick, Piraino & Ingber, PLLC, can guide you through the long, potentially complicated process of obtaining a green card. Contact us today for an initial consultation with our legal team to learn more about what to expect when applying for lawful permanent residency in Michigan.
