When you obtain a green card, you are known as a lawful permanent resident (LPR). Unlike a visa, a green card will be good for ten years before it expires, and you have the opportunity to renew it. Having a green card for a period of time also puts you on the path to naturalization and United States citizenship. However, obtaining a green card is not a simple process, and you want to seek the advice and assistance of a Hinsdale green card lawyer if you would like to apply to become an LPR.
At the law firm of Minsky, McCormick & Hallagan, P.C., our team of experienced immigration attorneys regularly work with people who wish to obtain green cards for themselves or for family members. We know that many people would like the ability to live and work in the U.S. for the rest of their lives, as well as enter and exit the country freely. We can evaluate your eligibility for a green card and help you through the entire application process, so please contact our Hinsdale gran cards lawyers today for more information.
One of the most common questions we hear is: who might qualify for a green card? There are different groups of people who are eligible to become LPRs, and we work with clients in many different situations.
The immediate relatives of United States citizens – This includes a citizen’s spouse, unmarried children of citizens under age 21, parents of citizens over age 21, stepparents or stepchildren who joined the family when the citizen was under age 18, and children who were adopted by citizens before age 16. Citizens can petition for their immediate family members to obtain visas and then, green cards based on the family relationship.
Other family members – Additional family members of citizens or LPRs may also become eligible for green cards, though there will be a waiting period, as there is a limited number available for this category of applicants. The waiting period will be longer for nationals of certain foreign countries. Such family members include unmarried adult children of citizens, spouses and unmarried children of LPRs, married children of a citizen parent, siblings of a citizen who is over age 21.
Preferred workers and employees – A limited number of green cards also go to people who have skills in high demand in the U.S. job market. The applicant must have an employment offer and the company must prove it could not recruit any U.S. workers. Eligible employees include people with extraordinary abilities, outstanding researchers or professors, executives and managers of multinational companies, people with advanced degrees, skilled or unskilled workers, religious workers, and certain investors.
There are also green cards available for other immigrants in special circumstances or who get chosen in a lottery.
At Minsky, McCormick & Hallagan, P.C., our Hinsdale green card lawyers can assist with determining green card eligibility, as well as the entire application process. Contact us today to discuss our immigration law services further.