A United States Permanent Resident Card, known informally as a green card is an identification card attesting to the permanent resident status of an alien in the United States of America.
Green cards also refer to the immigration process of becoming a permanent resident. The green card serves as proof that its holder, a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR), has been officially granted immigration benefits, which include permission to reside and work in the USA. The holder must maintain permanent resident status and can be removed from the United States if certain conditions of this status are not met.
Green cards were formerly issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). During a re-organization process, that agency was absorbed into and replaced by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Shortly after that re-organization, BCIS was renamed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which still retains the responsibility for issuing green cards.
An alien with a green card application can obtain two important permits while the case is pending after a particular stage is passed in green card processing (filing of I-485). The first is a temporary work permit known as the Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which allows the alien to take employment in the United States. The second is a temporary travel document, advance parole, which allows the alien to re-enter the United States. Both permits confer benefits independent of any existing status granted to the alien. For example, the alien might already have permission to work in the United States under an H-1B visa.
Information on how to get a Green Card
Lawful Permanent Residency, commonly known as Green Card status, allows people who are not citizens of the United States (immigrants) to live and work in the country while enjoying virtually all of the privileges of U.S. citizenship.
You must go through a multi-step process to get your Green Card. In most cases, USCIS must first approve an immigrant petition for you, usually filed by an employer or relative. Then, an immigrant visa number must be available to you, even if you are already in the United States. After that, if you are already in the United States, you may apply to adjust to permanent resident status. If you are outside the United States, you will be notified to go to the local U.S. consulate to complete the processing for an immigrant visa.
Generally, there are five basic ways to obtain a Green Card:
- Sponsorship by a relative who resides in the United States and is either a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident;
- Sponsorship by a United States employer through an offer of employment in the U.S.;
- Winning the Green Card Diversity Visa lottery;
- After being granted refugee status or through a grant of asylum due to persecution in one’s homeland; or
- Being a member of a special class of people the United States Government has decided to grant Green Card status to.
A Comprehensive Guide to Obtaining a Green Card in the U.S.
Applying for a green card involves specific legal requirements set by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Applicants must demonstrate eligibility based on family relationships, employment offers, humanitarian grounds, or special immigrant categories. For family-based cases, valid and verifiable proof of relationship—such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, or adoption papers—is critical. Employment-based applicants must typically provide a labor certification from the Department of Labor verifying that no qualified U.S. workers are available.
Each category demands strict compliance with evidentiary standards. Failure to present accurate documentation can lead to delays or denials. Thus, working closely with a green card attorney helps applicants ensure thorough and timely submissions.
Common Reasons for Green Card Application Delays or Denials
Applicants commonly experience delays due to incomplete or inaccurate paperwork, inconsistent details provided to USCIS, or insufficient evidence supporting their eligibility. Family-based petitions often stall when relationships are not clearly documented, and employment-based petitions are frequently delayed when employers fail to follow labor certification procedures precisely.
Insufficient documentation of humanitarian claims can create additional complications. A knowledgeable green card lawyer anticipates these pitfalls and provides strategic advice to ensure compliance and efficiency in processing.
Typical Timeline for Green Card Processing
Processing times vary significantly by category and USCIS workload. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens may receive approval in less than a year, while family-based preference categories often involve waiting periods spanning several years. Employment-based green cards typically require between 18 and 36 months from initial application through final approval, depending on visa availability and priority dates.
Adjustment of status within the U.S. may shorten processing compared to consular processing abroad, though each method has distinct considerations. Applicants should routinely monitor USCIS updates or consult an immigration attorney to gauge precise timeframes.
What Applicants Must Prove to Obtain a Green Card
All applicants must demonstrate eligibility under their respective immigration categories and prove admissibility into the United States. Key criteria include proving genuine family relationships, verifying qualifications and need for foreign employment candidates, or establishing a credible fear of persecution for humanitarian applicants.
Additionally, USCIS thoroughly evaluates applicants’ immigration histories, criminal records, health status, financial stability, and likelihood of becoming a public charge. Precise documentation and transparency are essential to successfully addressing these requirements.
Common Mistakes Green Card Applicants Must Avoid
Common mistakes include missing critical deadlines, failing to update USCIS on address or marital status changes, submitting incomplete forms, or providing inaccurate translations of foreign documents. Employment-based applicants must also avoid unauthorized employment or changes in job status without proper authorization.
Family-sponsored applicants must carefully document relationship authenticity, as incomplete evidence can cause serious setbacks. Regular consultation with a qualified green card attorney significantly reduces the risk of these errors.
Special Considerations in Iowa and the Midwest Region
Applicants in Iowa and surrounding states should recognize that, although immigration law is federal, specific procedural nuances apply depending on the local USCIS field office. Regional offices differ slightly in interview procedures or document submission protocols.
Working with a local immigration attorney familiar with regional USCIS procedures can streamline processes and avoid unexpected complications specific to the Midwest.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long must I wait to file for a green card after entering the U.S.?
This varies based on your entry type. Refugees and asylees typically have one year after their status is granted. Family or employment-based applicants may file once their petition is approved and a visa number becomes available.
- Do I need an attorney for my green card application?
Although not required, legal assistance significantly improves your chances of success by reducing errors and ensuring compliance with immigration regulations. An experienced attorney simplifies the process and increases the chances of success.
- How much does a green card consultation cost?
Different Green Card categories and individual situations affect the overall cost of the process. Call us to set up a consultation. Consultation fees are applied toward your account if you continue and retain us.
- What evidence is critical for family-based green card applications?
Essential evidence includes marriage certificates, birth certificates, adoption papers, affidavits from family and friends, photographs, and financial documents showing shared responsibilities or support.
- Is there a statute of limitations for filing green card petitions?
No general statute of limitations exists, but eligibility criteria or visa quotas can affect timing. Certain status types, like asylees and refugees, must apply within specific deadlines.
- Can I travel while my green card application is pending?
You can, but you must first secure an Advance Parole document from USCIS. Traveling without proper authorization during the application process could jeopardize your entire case.
- Can my relative sponsor me for a Green Card?
If you have a relative who is a U.S. Citizen or who has a Green Card, you may be eligible to obtain permanent status in the United States.
- Can I get a Green Card through my employer?
You or your relative may also be eligible to obtain a Green Card in the United States through an offer of permanent employment. A U.S. employer may sponsor a foreign-born employee for permanent residence. Typically, the employer must first demonstrate to the Department of Labor that there is no qualified U.S. worker available for the job for which an immigrant visa is being sought.
- Is there any other way to get a Green Card?
A person seeking protection in the U.S. because they face persecution in their homeland may enter this country as a refugee. To be admitted to the U.S. as a refugee, the person must prove that he or she has a well-founded fear of persecution based on at least one of the following internationally recognized grounds: race, religion, membership in a social group, political opinion, or national origin.
If you wish to immigrate as a relative of a U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident, you must obtain an immigrant visa number based on the preference category in which you fall.
People who want to become immigrants are classified into categories based on a preference system. U.S. citizens’ immediate relatives, including parents, spouses, and unmarried children under 21, do not have to wait for an immigrant visa number to become available once the visa petition filed for them is approved by USCIS. An immigrant visa number will become immediately available.