The "American Dream" is the goal of many people around the world. For those seeking better opportunities and quality of life in the United States, obtaining permanent residency, known as a Green Card, is an essential step. However, there are certain requirements and minimum years of residency that must be met to apply for it.
What is the Green Card?
The Green Card is a document that allows you to reside in the United States for ten years. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires that the applicant has lived in the country for a minimum of five years before submitting the application. Additionally, they must have been physically present in the country for at least 18 months during those five years. It is also necessary for the applicant to reside in the same district where they file their application for at least three months before initiating the process.
Eligibility Categories
To apply for a Green Card, you must be eligible under one of the following categories:
- Through Family
- Through a Special Immigrant Employment
- Through Refugee or Asylee Status
- Victims of Human Trafficking and Other Crimes
- Victims of Abuse
- Through Other Categories
- Through Registry: for those who have continuously resided in the United States since before January 1, 1972.
Application Process
Once the appropriate category is identified, you must visit the USCIS website and select the corresponding option. There, you will find the detailed process to continue with the permanent residency application.
The Green Card not only offers the possibility to live and work in the United States but also to establish a stronger connection with the local community, an aspect that immigration authorities consider during the evaluation of the application.
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