A Green Card allows a person to live and work permanently in the United States. There are a number of ways to obtain a Green Card, including through family, employment, or investment. In this article, we will focus on the process of applying for a Green Card through employment.
This is important to know
If you’re reading this, chances are good that you’ve seen advertisements for the “Green Card Lottery” in which 50,000 people are granted permanent residence in the United States every year. It sounds like a wonderful opportunity and one of the best ways to come to America if you can’t get a job here.
However, it’s important to understand how the process works and whether or not entering is really the right move for you. The first thing to know is that there are two different types of visa available through this program: a Diversity Visa, which is granted on a random basis to people from countries with low rates of immigration to the US, and an Employment Visa, which is granted on a merit-based system for those who have skills or degrees that are highly in demand in America.
The lottery only grants Diversity Visas (although some people may end up with Employment Visas through this process), so make sure you understand what you’re getting into before submitting an application.
Benefits of a Green Card in the U.S.
There are many benefits to having a Green Card, including the ability to live and work permanently in the United States, to sponsor family members for Green Cards, to apply for U.S. citizenship, and to receive Social Security and other government benefits.
Some of the other benefits of having a Green Card include being able to travel freely in and out of the United States, and having access to better job opportunities and educational opportunities.
Green Card through employment: process of applying
The first step in applying for a Green Card is to obtain an offer of employment from a U.S. employer. Your employer will then need to file a petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If you are already in the United States, you will then need to file an application for Adjustment of Status with the USCIS. If you are outside of the United States, you will need to apply for an immigrant visa through the U.S. Department of State. After your application is approved, you will be given a Green Card.
If you have any questions about the Green Card application process, you can contact the USCIS or the U.S. Department of State. You can also consult an immigration lawyer to help you with your application.
The Requirements for Obtaining a Green Card for employment
To be eligible for a Green Card, you must first meet a number of requirements, including that you have an offer of employment from a U.S. employer, that you are skilled in your field of work, and that you have a good moral character. You will also need to pass a medical examination and a background check.
If you meet all of the above requirements, you will then need to fill out an application and submit it to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Once your application has been reviewed and approved, you will be issued a Green Card.
Please note that the requirements for a Green Card are subject to change at any time, so it is important to keep up to date on the latest information.
Different Types
There are two main types of Green Cards: immigrant visas and nonimmigrant visas. Immigrant visas are permanent and allow you to live and work in the United States indefinitely. Nonimmigrant visas are temporary and are typically granted for a specific purpose, such as work or study. Green Cards can also be classified as either employment-based or family-based.
Employment-based Green Cards are reserved for foreign nationals who have been offered a job in the United States. Family-based Green Cards are available to certain relatives of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents.
How to Renew or Replace Your Green Card
If your Green Card expires or is lost or stolen, you will need to renew or replace it. You can renew your Green Card by mail or online. To replace your Green Card, you will need to fill out an application and submit it to the USCIS. You may also need to submit supporting documents, such as a copy of your birth certificate or passport. There is a fee for renewing or replacing your Green Card.
You can find more information on how to renew or replace your Green Card on the USCIS website. If you have any questions, you can contact the USCIS customer service center.
The Green Card lottery
In addition to the options mentioned above you may participate in the Electronic Diversity Visa Program of the U.S., commonly known as Green Card Lottery. For more information on this, you may visit the respective official Green Card Lottery website of the U.S. government.
The requirements to qualify are:
- Be at least 18 years old (or have graduated high school) and not older than 50
- Be a native of one of the countries eligible to participate in the program
- Have at least a high school diploma (or its equivalent), or trade/apprenticeship certificate
- Be able to speak, read, and write English
- Register online before your country’s registration deadline
Alternatives for Germany
Germany and the European Union has a program compareable to the U.S. Green Card. Here it is called the EU Blue Card. Germany as a nation state also introduces the “Chancenkarte“, which is in general something similar to the Green Card, too. Furthermore, non-Germans can start an Ausbildung or join a voluntary program in Germany.
