Green Card Information

Applying for a permanent resident card, commonly called a "Green Card", is one of the first steps to take for a non-citizen to become United States citizen. A green card allows a person to live in the U.S. Obtaining one can lead to many of the rights that citizens enjoy, such as the right to work and the right to vote.

A non-citizen can apply for a green card under several different categories, such as work visas or marriage visas. The application process can involve long wait periods and several documents, so it is best to contact a lawyer to ensure early and accurate filing.

U.S. Immigration Agencies

If you have been living in America for a while, you may be used to referring to the immigration department as the "INS", or Immigration and Naturalization Services. In 2002, the functions performed by the INS were transferred to a branch of the Department of Homeland Security known as the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services or "BCIS" (sometimes also "USCIS").

Hearings regarding deportation and investigations of illegal immigrants are now conducted by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or "ICE" for short.

So instead of hearing about the "INS", you will be hearing more and more people refer to the "BCIS" or "ICE" when talking about immigration issues.

Categories for Applying for Green Cards

The BCIS divides applicants for green cards into several different categories, depending on the nature of their migration and any sponsors who petition them. Each category is associated with a different waiting period. This is because the agency puts a limit or "quota" on the number of visas issued for each category every year.

Visas that are in high demand (such as family associated visas) have a longer waiting period because the BCIS issues less of these per year. Waiting periods can be anywhere from a number of months to several years. Some of the green card categories are:

When applying for a green card under one of the above categories, be mindful of wait periods and quotas, which can change quite frequently. Visit the BCIS website to view a schedule of quotas and wait periods.

Also, if you are applying under the illegal resident category, please be aware that an application will reveal your illegal residency and may have the undesired result of deportation.

Applying for a Green Card

There are several steps in applying for a green card. The different green card categories involve different procedures for applying.

For example, some of the preference categories under the close relative visa allow for a "streamlined" application, wherein you may file all papers at once. Other categories require that you provide the information in various steps with waiting periods in between. Double check your application category for specific procedures.

The basic steps for application are:

Your application will be subject to a rigorous background check to determine if you are "inadmissible". Things that might make a person inadmissible are:

Required Information and Documents for Application

You will be required to provide the immigration authorities with several documents in order to obtain a green card. The level of detail of information required will vary depending on the category, but some requirements are:

Be aware that you may also be subjected to a number of interviews, and the agency may sometimes require additional documentation. Immigration agents are granted access to your criminal record (if you have one) for a period of up to 5 years prior to your application.

Points to Consider

If you will be applying for a green card, or are a U.S. citizen who will be petitioning a non-citizen, be sure to remember the following points when reviewing your application: