A green card is valid for ten years and must be renewed subsequently. A green card holder can apply for U.S. citizenship after five years as a lawful permanent resident.
What is a Green Card?
A green card is formally known as a Permanent Residence Card or USCIS Form I-551. The reason it’s called a green card is that the original card was made of green paper. The card has been other colors and redesigned many times since it was first issued, but it never stopped being known as a green card. Today, it is still green but not made of paper. Also, it has graphics and fraud-resistant security features that are highly secure and more tamper-resistant than the ones that were previously used. A green card holder (or permanent resident) does not hold the same status as a United States citizen. However, people with a green card can apply for citizenship after a number of years of residency, with exceptions made for those who marry U.S. citizens or come to the country as refugees. While green cards can be obtained through family, investment, refugee status, and other special conditions, green cards can also be obtained through employment. Here’s more information about the different types of green cards and how to receive a green card through employment.
Types of Employment-Based Green Cards
Individuals seeking a green card through employment can apply from their home country once they are assigned an immigrant visa number, which is organized based on the following employment-based (EB) preferences:
First Preference (EB-1)
Individuals with special abilities, distinguished academics, professors, researchers, and international executives are eligible for first preference permanent residency. People can provide evidence for why they should receive first preference. That evidence can range from a Pulitzer or Nobel Peace Prize, an athletic award, membership in a professional association, to a publication.
Second Preference (EB-2)
Professionals with an advanced degree or workers with exceptional talent. This also includes foreign nationals interested in a national interest waiver, which is a petition for a visa status that someone can apply for if he or she already has a firm job offer.
Third Preference (EB-3)
Skilled workers and professionals are eligible for the third preference visa. Workers are required to have at least two years of experience and professionals usually require degrees from accredited universities.
Fourth Preference (EB-4)
The following special immigrants may be eligible for the fourth preference visa:
Religious WorkersSpecial Immigrant JuvenileBroadcastersG-4 International Organization or NATO-6 Employees and Their Family MembersInternational Employees of the U.S. Government AbroadArmed Forces MembersPanama Canal Zone EmployeesCertain PhysiciansAfghan and Iraqi TranslatorsAfghan and Iraqi Nationals Who Have Provided Faith Service in Support of U.S. Operations
Fifth Preference (EB-5)
Individuals who are eligible for the fifth preference visa include immigrant investors who are willing to invest between $500,000–$1,000,000 in a venture that creates at least ten new jobs for U.S. citizens or other lawful permanent residents.
How to Get a Green Card Through Employment
There are four basic employment-related ways to obtain a green card. These include the following:
Job Offer
An individual can apply for a green card after receiving a formal offer to work in the United States.
Self-petition
Distinguished individuals with exceptional abilities, or specific individuals who are granted a national interest waiver, can file for a green card.
Investment
An individual who establishes a business venture that creates new jobs in the U.S. can apply for a green card. His or her green card would likely fall into the EB-5 category.
Special-Category Green Card
This includes workers in established special immigrant categories, such as broadcasters, international employees, and certain religious workers, for example.
Green Card Application Process
The green card application process differs based on the method in which one seeks to obtain a green card. The steps will depend on your personal circumstances. Generally, an employer will fill out an I-140 approval notice, which grants the employer the option to employ a foreign national on a permanent basis. In some instances, foreign nationals with exceptional abilities can self-petition for an I-140 filing. Once the petition is approved, the foreign national can apply for a green card through Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence, or Adjust Status. With this application, the foreign national can request to remove any conditional requirements from his or her status. If the priority date for the foreign national is current, he or she should be able to file the I-485 and I-140 at the same time.
The Green Card Lottery Program
The annual Green Card Lottery program (officially the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program) is another opportunity for potential immigrants to become permanent legal residents of the U.S. This program runs each year and provides green cards to applicants who are randomly selected in a lottery process. The annual lottery began in 1990 and seeks to ensure diversity in U.S. immigration. To be eligible for the Green Card Lottery program, you must be a native of a country with a low rate of immigration to the United States. Applicants from countries that have sent more than 50,000 foreign nationals to the United States in the last five years are unable to apply for this visa. You must also meet the education or work experience requirements. In order to qualify for the lottery, a person must have at least a high school education or two years of trade work experience. There is no cost to enter the Green Card Lottery. The only way to apply is to complete and send a form electronically through the U.S. Department of State’s website during the registration period.
Types of Green Card Scams
There are many scams related to green cards and U.S. visas.
How to Avoid Scams
You will not receive an email message notifying you about winning a visa from the U.S. Government. In addition, no other organization or private company is authorized to notify DV applicants. Check your visa status online. Helping With Visa Applications: There are websites that offer to process visa paperwork or request money to complete lottery forms. The only official way to apply for the Diversity Visa (green card) lottery is directly through the official U.S. Department of State website during the registration period. There is no fee to apply. Fees for Government Forms: There is never a fee to pay for a U.S. government form. If a website is charging for government forms, it’s a scam. Government forms and instructions for completing them are always free from the government agency that issues them. Fees for Services: Websites, email messages, letters, or advertisements that say they can help you obtain a visa for a fee are fraudulent. These websites and emails cannot help you obtain a visa. For example, many fraudulent emails offer U.S. visas or “green cards” in return for a sum of money. Visa services can only be obtained from official U.S. government entities, including the Department of State, a U.S. embassy or consulate, or the Department of Homeland Security. Identity Theft: In addition to soliciting payments for visa services, scammers may also seek your confidential information for identity theft purposes. Do not disclose any personal information on third-party websites or via email. All emails related to visa applications will only come from a “.gov” email address, which is the official U.S. government email account. All visa-related correspondence coming from an address that does not end with “.gov” should be considered suspicious. To avoid scams, apply directly to U.S. government websites which end in “.gov.”
