Steps Every Immigrant Should Know When Applying for a Green Card
A green card grants permanent resident status, a pathway to citizenship, and is a very important milestone for many immigrants. Green card eligibility varies according to the factors on which the status is based. This makes understanding the application process paramount, and our experienced Camp Hill immigration attorneys at Tanner Law Offices can help you with that.
The Importance of a Green Card
If you are an immigrant who wants to live and work in the United States permanently, a green card is key. The related benefits are significant, and they include the right to work, to start a business, and to own property in this country. This can ultimately lead to citizenship, which entitles you to the same rights as every other citizen.
The Steps Forward
There are several key steps on the journey forward.
Determining Eligibility
To begin, you’ll need to determine eligibility through the green card category that applies to you. This can be a matter of your relationship with a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, your employment status, your refugee status, or your status regarding asylum.
Filing the Petition
The green card process generally begins with filing the petition. If your pathway forward is based on a family connection, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident must file the petition on your behalf. If, however, your green card is employment-based, your employer will need to file the petition on your behalf.
Awaiting Approval
After you file your petition for a green card, the waiting game begins. The amount of time you can expect to wait depends on a range of factors, including the type of visa and your Priority Date.
Once you are approved for a green card, it can take several weeks or longer for the card to arrive. Your status change, however, is immediate.
The Most Important Tip for Gaining Green Card Status
The most important tip anyone seeking approval for a green card can follow is to work closely with a practiced immigration lawyer from the start. Immigration law is notoriously complex and ever-changing, but having a resourceful immigration attorney behind you can make all the difference.
Consult with Our Experienced Immigration Lawyers Today
The journey toward green card status is challenging but well worth the effort. Our well-respected immigration attorneys at Tanner Law Offices are prepared to bring all of their experience and legal skill to bear in their focused pursuit of a green card on your behalf. Learn more about everything we can do to help by contacting us online or giving our firm a call at 717-731-8114 today.