Most of the time an immigrant must go through three steps to qualify for a green card. This is not a quick process, and can take several years. The length of time for approval depends on many factors, including the type of application and the immigrant's home country.

The first step in the green card application process involves having a petition approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. The petition needs to be filed by a qualifying relative or the immigrant's employer. A qualifying relative is an immediate relative, such as a spouse, a child under 21, or parents of a child under 21 who is either a U.S. citizen or an immigrant who already has a green card.

After approval of the petition, the second step is getting an immigrant visa number through the state department. These numbers are released in limited quantity each year as are the number of immigrants from given countries that already have a high population in the U.S. Approval of the petition does not guarantee the availability of an immigrant visa number. Most immigrants are put on a long waiting list. (Immigrants with qualifying relatives do not have to wait for an immigration number.)

Once a person has received their immigration number, the final of the three green card requirements is to apply with the USCIS to have their green card residency status. changed from temporary to permanent resident. This can be done in the U.S. or at the nearest U.S. consulate if the applicant lives outside the United States.

Other Legal Methods for Obtaining a Green Card

The green card lottery, a Congressionally-approved government program, is another way to get a card legally. Every year the government sets aside 50,000 green cards to be given away through the lottery. Winning the lottery gives immigrants the chance to legally live and work in the United States. Only immigrants from certain countries qualify to enter. Immigrants who gain green cards by this method are classified as "diversity immigrants." Successful applicants are chosen at random from a computer-generated drawing.

Online Resources

There are many places online to get information about green cards.

http://www.usagcls.com - This multi-lingual site provides information on the Green card Lottery, including the ability to check if a person is eligible to apply.

http://www.visa-us.com - This site provides information on all aspects of U.S. immigration and includes an extensive section on green cards.

http://www.uscis.gov - As the official site for the USCIS, this page provides information on all aspects of the green card process.

http://www.usimmigrationsupport.org/ - This provides a large variety of information on green cards including application download.

Getting a green card is one of the best ways to live in the United States legally. It is relatively easy, although time consuming, to apply for a green card. One of the easiest ways to try to get a green card, while not guaranteed, is through the Green card Lottery. If you are looking to get into the United States, start the process today!

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