What Is A Green Card and How Do I Get One?

Green card is the term used to describe aobtaining a green card, there are special
document that gives a person born in anothercircumstances that allow certain individuals who do
country the right to live and work in the Unitednot meet the above criteria to obtain a green
States. A green card is usually issued to thosecard in a timely manner. These special
people who are permanent resident aliens andcircumstances include the following:
who wish to eventually become a United States
citizen. Once a person has held a green card forAsylum. This special circumstance applies to any
almost five years with no legal problems, they areforeign individual who is in the United States and
eligible to apply for citizenship orfears returning to their country of origin. This fear
naturalization.There are two main ways to becan be brought about by any persecution that is
deemed eligible for a green card. The first way isbased on a person's race, political views or religion.
through your employment in the United States. In
this case, the employer of the foreign individualLabor. Individuals that posses a special skill that is
must agree to sponsor that individual. Oncedesperately needed in the United States can
sponsored the individual may make application forobtain a green card in exchange for their
a green card. This application is usually a muchwillingness to perform the job and skill set at a
faster process for those individuals with morespecific job in a specific region assigned to them.
education or specialized job skills. Those individualsNational Interest Wavier. If an individual
that have common job skills or less educationpossesses the professional skills to be of service
may have to wait for a longer period of timeto the national interest of America then that
before their application is reviewed andperson can be granted a green card without
accepted.The second way that an individual mayemployer sponsorship.
become eligible for a green card is through theirResearchers. For academic researchers who are
immediate family. In this case, if a foreign individualinternationally recognized for their achievements,
has a family member such as a child, parent orthere are special circumstances that allow that
sibling that is an American citizen, then they mayindividual to receive a green card in exchange for
apply for a green card. If a parent of a foreignsharing their information and knowledge.
minor child is an American citizen then that child isSpecialized Skills. Individuals that possess
automatically and immediately eligible for aspecialized skills and that are experts at the top
visa.Another way that a foreign person canpf their field may apply for and be granted a
qualify for a green card is through marriage to angreen card. These individuals are usually exempt
American citizen, however, the American citizenfrom the labor certification process.
must reside in the United States. Once the personAlthough special circumstances do exist, the
has obtained their green card they can apply fornormal application process for and the granting of
permanent residency but the laws controlling thisa green card usually take many months and is a
process are very stiff. In this case, the marriedvery complicated and exhaustive system. If you
parties must prove that their relationship isare contemplating applying for a green card, it is
legitimate.In addition to the above options foradvisable to speak with an attorney before hand.