| The basics of Green cards and Visas Immigration is | | | | permanent residence in the United States and possibly |
| now a hot topic in the United States and the issue of | | | | after a number of years to become a U.S. citizen by |
| family based immigration is still an ever changing area | | | | doing any of the following: |
| of law. Here is a list are certain types of Visas and | | | | Adjustment of Status |
| Green cards and a general overview of their | | | | Adjustment of status applies to individuals who already |
| advantages and disadvantages. | | | | have a Notice of Action granted by the United States |
| K-1 -Fiance Visas | | | | Citizenship and Immigration Service. A U.S. Embassy or |
| K-1 Visas are for fiances of U.S. Citizens who are | | | | Consulate issues the lawful permanent resident card |
| entering for the sole purpose of getting married. This | | | | or Green Card after the initial interview process. A |
| type of visa requires the holder marry within 90 days | | | | lawful permanent resident card will entitle the holder to |
| of entering the United States. | | | | travel to the United States and apply for admission. An |
| Green Cards | | | | immigration inspector at the port of entry determines |
| There are several types of green cards which a | | | | the LPR card holder's eligibility for admission into the |
| foreign national can be granted to allow permanent | | | | United States. The adjustment of status requires an |
| residence in the U.S. Green cards are specifically | | | | appointment for review. |
| provided to foreign nationals to allow them to have | | | | Citizenship |
| permanent residence in the United States. Green cards | | | | Birth and naturalization are the only two ways of |
| can either be family based or employment based. | | | | becoming a U.S. citizen. Unless you were born in the |
| There are different means to gaining a green card and | | | | U.S. or your parents were U.S. citizens at your time of |
| the most common is through family based immigration, | | | | birth, you will need to apply for citizenship by |
| through a U.S. citizen who is a relative of the applicant. | | | | completing the naturalization process. Again the birth to |
| Green cards can also be obtained through marriage | | | | a U.S. citizen can be a tricky matter as certain |
| and the individual must make certain to qualify for this | | | | individuals born in certain years qualify easier than |
| type of green card and the marriage must be legal | | | | others. By completing the correct documentation an |
| and not a fraudulent marriage. | | | | individual can be naturalized if they meet certain |
| Employment based green cards are divided into 4 | | | | requirements. Requirements such as living in the U.S. |
| categories EB-1 through EB-4, depending on the type | | | | for 5 years as a legal permanent resident or for |
| of work and the priority of work performed by the | | | | individuals married to U.S. citizens, you must have |
| foreign national. There is also the EB-5 or investment | | | | permanent residency for at least 3 years. Other |
| by a foreign entrepreneur of between $500,000 and | | | | requirements through the USCIS can be found on their |
| $1 million dollars in a commercial enterprise which may | | | | website. Clients wishing to obtain U.S. citizenship should |
| allow individual to obtain a permanent resident card in | | | | complete a form N-400. A qualified immigration |
| the United States. Permanent Residency again can | | | | attorney can help you navigate all the aspects of a |
| also be established through the green card lottery, | | | | tricky and risky immigration application. Immigration law |
| asylum, and adoption. Each of these types of family | | | | can be complicated and can involve many different |
| based visas or cards allow the individual to have | | | | areas of law. |