If I’m married to an American, what is the process to get a green card?
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If I’m married to an American, what is the process to get a green card?
Asked on February 1, 2014 under Immigration Law, Washington
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
There are four basic employment-related ways to obtain a green card, including:
- Green Card through a job offer: An which an individual can apply for a green card after receiving a formal offer to work in the United States.
- Green Card through investment: An individual establishes a business venture that creates new jobs in the U.S.
- Green Card through self-petition: Distinguished individuals with exceptional abilities, or specific individuals who are granted a National Interest Waiver, can file a green card for themselves.
- Special Category Green Card: This category include workers in the established special immigrant categories, such as broadcasters, international employees, and religious workers, for example.
Green Card Lottery Program
The annual green card lottery program (Diversity Immigrant Visa Program) is an opportunity for potential immigrants to obtain the status as a permanent legal resident of the USA. This program runs each year and provides 55,000 "Green Cards" to applicants randomly selected in a lottery process - known as the Green Card Lottery.
Green Card Application Process
Although the application process differs based on the method in which one seeks to obtain a green card, generally an I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, must be submitted.
Once the petition is approved individuals can apply for a green card through Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
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