Are you excited to be an American Citizen? You will go through a lot of intricate processes and a lot of long waits. The result is always worth it, though. Obtaining a permanent residence in the US is the next big thing you could get next to citizenship.
If you are a green card, a permanent resident card, or alien registration cardholder; you can live in the US. You can work, join the armed forces, or start a business.
This article will help you get more information about ways you can get permanent residence in the US.
Have a relative sponsor you
The easiest way you could obtain permanent residence in the US is through relative sponsorship. This relative should be a lawful resident of the US. You and your sponsor relative should have proof to show in the immigration office, and the sponsors have to make sure they can support you at 125% above the poverty line.
A US citizen may sponsor unmarried or married children. A 21 and older American citizen may sponsor foreign children and parents.
If you get approval, the State Department will decide if you are eligible for an immigrant visa number. You need to apply and have it assigned once you get a number.
Your employer can help you
If you don’t have any family ties with anyone from the US, your employer could help you petition for you to become a permanent resident of the United States. In most of these cases, the applicant is already working in the US.
Employer sponsorship should be easier for you if you have excellent talents and skills that can be beneficial to the national interest of the US.
Now, if you don’t fit any exceptional category, don’t be discouraged! You still have a shot at getting a green card. You can get a labor certification before filing for a green card. According to the Department of Labor, this certification is that there should be no qualified American Citizens available to fill the position. Thus, employing you will not harm the wages of workers having the same work as you.
If the labor certification is approved, your employer will file the Form I-140m Immigrant petition. Once you have the certification, you may file for work authorization so you could work already. If ever you are planning to be a permanent resident, you can use your labor certification, Form 1-485, and Immigrant petition with Immigration Services and Bureau of Citizenship.
Your extraordinary ability is the key
Now, if you don’t have any job offer from a US company, your extraordinary abilities in the arts, sciences, business, education, or athletics are beneficial for you in obtaining a green card. If we say extraordinary ability, it means you are one of the chosen people who have risen to the top of your particular field.
For you to prove your extraordinary abilities, you can present the significant awards you’ve received in your industry, receiving a high salary compared to your colleagues can also be a way for you to prove this. You may be eligible to live and work in the US if you have something in you that can be a great asset in the US.
Once you can get your green card, you need to make sure that you have it in your wallet for identification purposes. The process may be complicated, but in the end, it is all worth it. Make sure to have a checklist of the things you need to prepare so that applying will be easier for you. Also, avoid being scammed by unknown fixers. It will be better to process this on your own.