American Green Card: what it is, advantages and how to apply

The American Green Card is the document that guarantees permanent resident status in the United States for foreigners.

Having a Green Card means being able to live and work legally in the country indefinitely.

But how do you get a green card?

In this article, we’ll explain what the Green Card is, its advantages and how to apply for it.

We’ll also look at the main ways of obtaining a Green Card, so that you know how to achieve this much-desired goal.

Read on to find out all about it:

Resumo do conteúdo

What is a Green Card?

The American Green Card is a document that grants a foreigner the right to live and work in the United States permanently.

It serves as proof that the bearer is a legal US resident and therefore has similar rights and benefits to American citizens, such as the ability to travel freely in and out of the country.

This document can be obtained through work, sponsorship by a US employer, investment in US businesses, union with a US citizen or in cases of political asylum.

Green card holders need to fulfill certain obligations, such as paying taxes, complying with American laws, and renewing the card every 10 years.

In addition, after a few years of permanent residence, they can apply for American citizenship.

Benefits of the American Green Card: check it out

Whoever has an American Green Card enjoys a number of benefits. The main ones are:

Permanent residence: There is no need to renew your tourist or work visa frequently;
Right to workThe possibility of working legally in the United States without the need for a work visa;
Free movement: Permission to travel freely in and out of the United States, without the need for a visa to enter the country again;
Social benefits: access to social benefits such as health insurance in the USApublic education and social programs;
Possibility of applying for citizenship: After a few years of permanent residence, it is possible to apply for citizenship, which gives you access to more rights and benefits, such as the right to vote and the right to carry an American passport;
Access to business opportunities: permission to invest and open businesses in the United States.

How does the US Green Card work?

Obtaining an American Green Card is a desire of people all over the world who want to live and work legally in the United States.

Here’s how the Green Card works, who can apply for it, the types, how much it costs and much more:

Who can apply for a Green Card?

There are several ways to become eligible to apply for a Green Card. Here’s a look at the situations in which you can apply for a Green Card:

Family sponsorship: Close relatives of US citizens or permanent residents can apply for a Green Card (includes spouses, children, parents and siblings);
Employment: It is possible to apply for a Green Card on the basis of a job offer in the United States or for being considered an above-average professional – with proven experience after academic training. Employers can also sponsor foreign workers for permanent positions. Find out which professions are in high demand in the USA;
Diversity: The Diversity Visa Lottery Program, also known as the Green Card Lottery, is a program that citizens of countries with low immigration rates to the United States participate in an annual drawing to obtain a Green Card, however, the method is not available to Brazilians;
Asylum and refuge: People fleeing persecution in their home countries can apply for asylum or refugee status in the United States. If asylum or refugee status is granted, these people may eventually become eligible to apply for a green card;
Victims of human trafficking or crime: Victims of human trafficking (T visa) and victims of certain crimes (U visa) may become eligible to apply for a green card after meeting certain requirements;
Investors: foreigners who invest a significant amount of money (usually at least $900,000) in a business in the United States and create jobs for U.S. citizens or other permanent residents can apply for a green card based on their investment(EB-5 visa). Learn more about the US investor visa,

These are just some of the common categories of eligibility for the Green Card. There are other specific and less common categories too. There are other types of American visas that don’t qualify for a green card, such as the EB-2 NIW, a type of work visa. Check out all the details about this type of visa and how not to get it EB-2 NIW visa refused here on the D4U immmigration blog!

The process and requirements vary for each category, so it’s important to consult a specialized immigration consultancy, such as D4U Immigration.

How much does a green card cost?

There is no fixed cost for obtaining a Green Card, as the amount can vary depending on various factors, such as:

Type of application: whether it is through a petition from an employer, family member or as a refugee, for example;

Process fees: also varies depending on the type of application and the process you are going through;

Fees: depending on whether you do the process, you may need to pay fees to lawyers or immigration advisors;

Other costs: medical examinations, translation of documents, fees for obtaining birth or marriage certificates, among others.

Therefore, if you are interested in obtaining a Green Card and need help with the process, it is advisable to speak to one of D4U’s agents.

We are an immigration advisory company that can help you at every stage, from immigration planning to diploma validation in the USA.

Talk to us and we’ll give you precise information on the costs involved and help you choose the best option for your specific situation.

Contact D4U Immigration now for more information!

How long is the green card valid for?

Green cards have different validity periods, depending on the type issued. Understand:

Regular green card: most documents have an expiry date of 10 years. Although the card itself has an expiration date, permanent resident status is continuous as long as the holder complies with the legal requirements. However, it is necessary to renew the physical card before it expires;
Conditional green card: some people can receive a conditional Green Card valid for 2 years. This usually occurs in cases of marriage to a US citizen or when the holder obtains the Green Card through an investment (EB-5). In this case, in order to obtain unconditional permanent resident status, the conditions must be removed within 90 days prior to the card’s expiration date.

Maintaining a green card requires compliance with certain responsibilities and rules, such as paying taxes and not staying outside the US for longer than 12 months.

If the green card holder does not meet these requirements, their permanent resident status may be revoked.

Conclusion

The American Green Card is a great opportunity for those who want to live and work legally in the United States. Find out more about our real estate advice in the USA.

The advantages are many, from the freedom to travel and study to the possibility of applying for American citizenship after a certain period of time.

To get a green card, it’s important to understand the different ways of applying and the requirements for each.

But don’t worry, D4U Immigration is here to help. In addition to this question, we can help you with several others, such as: what are the rules for bringing a pet to the USA.

With our immigration consultancy and advisory services, you can be sure that you will have all the support you need to obtain your Green Card efficiently and safely.