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How does the US green card work, does it even exist?
If you can get a green card it means you've passed all qualifications to enter the USA as a permanent resident.After 5 years of residence with that green card you can then apply to become an American citizen..
I dont think the card is actually green any more..
If you can get a green card it means you've passed all qualifications to enter the USA as a permanent resident.After 5 years of residence with that green card you can then apply to become an American citizen..
I dont think the card is actually green any more..
The "green card" is not a unified process but a collective noun for several avenues that lead to the acquisition of lawful permanent residence in the U.S. The term "green card" refers to the color of documentation issued to immigrants who had become lawful permanent residents of the U.S. way back when. Up until very recently, this actual card was pink in color.
The better term for this document is a PRC (permanent resident card) or evidence of LPR status (LPR: Lawful Permanent Resident).
A lawful permanent resident is one who is authorized to live, work, study, etc. in the U.S. for however long he or she desires. A LPR cannot vote, serve on a jury or even apply for certain jobs (usually in the federal government). A LPR is deportable, contrary to popular opinion. Felonies and a certain number of misdemeanors can be grounds for deportation and the revokation of LPR.
LPRs are required to file tax returns as residents, even if they don't reside in the U.S. Although the LPR card has an expiration date, LPR status itself never expires. The card, however, must be renewed. There is no requirement for an LPR to become a naturalized citizen, by the way. There are some restrictions on what LPRs can get as far as government benefits such as social security and Medicare, but these also vary if your country of citizenship has entered into agreements with the U.S. (as many EU countries have).
As to getting LPR, there are essentially three ways (I'm simplifying the process a bit): via employment, via family and via special circumstances.
Via family - this is the obvious and common path. A very close relative who is a U.S. citizen or LPR can petition on your behalf (depending on degree of relationship, among other criteria) - the process can take decades;
Via employment - if you have a U.S. employer who wishes to sponsor you for a permanent position, there are few steps to take prior to LPR which vary depending on the job, your qualifications and your experience. If you possess extraordinary ability as defined by USCIS (a very high standard, by the way), then you can bypass a lot of steps and even file for yourself. If you are planning on investing substantial amounts of money in excess of $1 million (especially if you are thinking about doing so in impoverished parts of the U.S.), then you have a leg up. You also have a leg up if you work on special projects on behalf of the U.S. government and could qualify for a national interest waiver (complex process). This process too can take several years, depending on a lot of factors.
Via special circumstances - if you are from Cuba, then you would benefit from a rather generous immigration provision. If you are an asylee and your asylum claim is approved, or if you are a victim of violence, international trafficking, etc., or if you are an informant on criminal activity, terrorism, etc. etc. etc. or by private bill by a member of Congress or by presidential order, or if you win the diversity visa lottery.
Got a 6 month Visa, entered the USA. Within these 6 months, I received the Green Card which really was green.
It expired after two years (bec. some marriages don't last long).
After the 2 year Green Card expires, you get a 10 year lasting Green Card (you have go to through several steps again to get it, like finger printing again, pics, interviews). You can either keep renewing it until you die or become a citizen after 5 years.
If you are a Green Card holder, you can only leave the US country for a certain amount of days (300?) or the Green Card expires and you can't enter the US anymore.
I have a coworker, he and his family won their Green Card in the lottery.
My boss came to the US with a work visa. He is here since 20 years and has obtained a Green Card in the meantime.
Why would anyone think the Green Card doesn't exist? Ever heard of GOOGLE? You can find out anything in a few seconds
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