What is the Green Card and what is needed to obtain it?

Those who pursue the "great American dream" by immigrating to the United States know that they must ensure their permanence to avoid legal problems and fulfill their citizenship duties.

This is achieved by obtaining the famous green card, about which we will talk more extensively for you to know its details.

What is the green card or permanent residency card?

In the United States, as in other countries, you need a document that guarantees your permanent stay in that place if you are not a citizen.

The green card or permanent residency card is the one that fulfills this purpose before the U.S. authorities, being the one that allows you to work, study, receive health care and make a life in the USA.

Green card for pemanent residencyIncorporated into the registry at the end of World War II, the green card owes its name to its original color.

Just like a modern passport with its respective security measures, it has the holder's first and last names, date of birth, a photo and other relevant information for personal identification.

This document does not give you the same benefits as U.S. citizenship. In fact, you are still considered a foreigner and must carry your green card with you at all times wherever you go to show it in case an immigration officer asks for it. This is not the case for nationals, who do not need to carry special identification.

While the green card may be sufficient to lead a normal life in the United States, it is also limited by law. This is revealed in the following stipulations:

  • Permanent residents do not have the right to vote.
  • Nor can they participate in state or federal elections.
  • They do not have the power to bring their immediate family members into the country, but they may sponsor certain members.
  • Males between the ages of 18 and 26 must be registered in the Selective Service System of the Armed Forces.

What is needed to get a green card?

If you are looking to immigrate to eventually get a green card and ultimately naturalization, there are different ways to do so. Among the most popular are:

  • Parents or siblings of citizens. Children living in the U.S. who are 21 years of age or older can apply for a green card for their parents. The same is true for siblings, which is done through the F4 application.
  • Children of citizens or stepchildren of deceased nationals. In the first case, the F1 is requested, which can take from 6 to 20 years depending on the circumstances and you can check how the process goes in the visa bulletin. In the second instance, the stepchild must be 21 years of age or older and meet certain requirements.
  • Children of citizens under the age of 21. This type of petition is one of the fastest petitions available, taking 1 year or less. It applies to biological or adopted children and stepchildren. The latter are subject to special rules for approval.
  • Marriage to a national. This is a popular way to get a green card, but there is no guarantee and it is not an automatic process. The U.S. spouse must petition for the document. This applies to both homosexual and heterosexual unions. After 3 years of cohabitation, naturalization can be requested.
  • Green Card Lottery Drawing. Every year, the U.S. government draws some 50,000 visas in what is known as the diversity lottery. Free registrations run from October to November and the lottery is held the following year (May).
  • Self-sponsorship condition. Assuming you have extraordinary qualities in the areas of business, education, science, business or art, you can apply for the EB-1 visa. This unsupported application is reserved for professionals and is known to be very demanding.
  • Investment to generate employment. Buying real estate in the U.S. does not qualify for a green card. Instead, you must put at least $500 thousand USD to create a business through the EB-5, which gives you different options.
  • Work sponsored by an organization. Here there are EB-1, EB-2 and E-B3 categories. The first one is for professors and notable researchers or multinational executives. The second is for graduates with proven expertise (5 years) in the arts, sciences and business. The latter is for graduates and professional or non-professional workers with 2 years of experience and whose work is not temporary.
  • Green card for refugees or asylees. Those who win an asylum case or are granted refugee status may apply for a green card for themselves and their immediate family.

Obtaining a green card allows you to acquire a number of privileges and access to a number of products, such as financial services like personal loans, mortgages or credit cards.

Español: Qué es la Green Card