Over the last several years, immigration has been under attack, and the rules continue to evolve. It is understandable that those looking to come to this country can get confused as to what the current green card eligibility rules are. This blog will outline the current rules from the USCIS website. If you are a recent arrival to the United States and need legal assistance, the immigration attorneys at Probinsky & Cole are here to help.
To apply for a Green Card, you must be eligible under one of the specified categories. For more information, click here.
- Green Card Through Your Family: You may be eligible to apply if you are an immediate relative (spouse, child or parent) of a U.S. citizen; relative of a lawful permanent resident; fiance(e) of a U.S. citizen; widow(er) of a U.S. citizen
- Green Card Eligibility Through Employment: You may be eligible for a Green Card are an immigrant worker if you possess extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics; are an outstanding professor or researcher; are a multinational manager or executive who meets certain criteria; are a member of a profession that requires an advanced degree; are a skilled worker with a job requiring a minimum of 2 years training or work experience; are a physician who agrees to work full-time in clinical practice.
- Green Card as an Immigrant Investor: You may be eligible if you have invested or are actively in the process of investing at least $1,050,000 in a new commercial enterprise in the U.S. which will provide (10) qualifying full-time positions.
- Green Card Eligibility as a Special Immigrant: You may qualify for a Green Card if you are a religious worker; a juvenile who has been abused or meglected; and Afghani or Iraqi national who helped the United States as a translator or interpreter; are an international broadcaster; or are a retired officer or employee of an eligible international organization or NATO.
- Green Card as an Asylee, Refugee, Crime Victim or Human Trafficking Victim, Victim of Abuse: Be sure to work with your immigration attorney to determine if you fall under any of these categories.
- Green Card Through Other Categories: There are several diverse categories that may grant Green Card eligibility, such as:
- A Liberian national who has been continuously physically present in the United States since Nov. 20, 2014
- Selection for a diversity visa in the Department of State’s diversity visa lottery
- A Cuban native or citizen
- The spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident via the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (HRIFA)
- A native or citizen of Vietnam, Kampuchea (Cambodia), or Laos who was paroled into the U.S.
- Individuals born in the U.S. to a foreign diplomatic officer stationed in the U.S. at the time of birth
Most people who apply for a Green Card will need to complete at least two forms— an immigrant petition and a Green Card application (Form I-485). If you are in need of a professional immigration attorney and live in Sarasota, Tampa, Brandon or Orlando, call the law offices of Probinsky & Cole. We will help to determine your Green Card eligibility as well as assist with necessary paperwork and representation.
Immigration is complex, and making a mistake can have disastrous consequences. Don’t atttempt your Green Card alone – call us today.
