Green Card & Visa News

It is not just naturalized American citizens who have the American dream. Many foreign nationals too seek to find opportunities in America in order to build a better future for them and their families. Many Indians have the same mindset as those of their countrymen – America is the land of plenty. Destination set, it is just left to the simple matter of obtaining the legal right to remain in the country. In other words, getting a green card or the process of being a permanent resident in America.

A common way to apply for a green card is through family based immigration i.e. you are sponsored by a family member who is already a resident of the United States. Of course, your family member would have to show that you are closely related via documentation like birth certificates. Your sponsor must also be a willing participant in your immigration effort and to proof this, he has to fill up an I-130 form. An immigration visa number will then be assigned to you and you would have to wait for your number to be called up before taking the next step.

Once your immigration visa number is ready, you must then adjust your status to that of permanent resident before going into the United States. You can use form I-485 to adjust your status whereupon background checks will then be done on you. Once the results of the background check are out, the USCIS will then make a decision about your application. If you are already in the country at the time of your application, you might be called for an interview with the officers at USCIS who will then decide to approve or revoke your application. If approved, you – the alien – will then be considered a Lawful Permanent Resident and you will then receive your green card.