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United States Permanent Resident Card, also popularly known as “Green Card”, is
an identification card for a permanent resident of the United States of America
who doesn’t have US citizenship. A Permanent Resident Card holder has permission
to permanently reside and take employment in U.S.
An immigrant usually has to go through a three-step process to get the green card,
which entitles him/her to live and work permanently in the United States. The whole
process may take several years depending on the type of application and the country
of origin.
In the first step, USCIS approves the immigrant petition by a qualifying relative,
an employer, or in rare cases such as with an investor visa, the applicant.
Second, unless the applicant is an "immediate relative", an immigrant visa number
through the State Department must be available. This number might not be immediately
available even if the USCIS approves the petition because the amount of immigrant
visa numbers is limited every year. There are also certain additional limitations
by country. Thus, most immigrants will be placed on lengthy waiting lists. Those
immigrants who are immediate relatives are not subjected to the limited quotas of
immigrant visas and may proceed to the next step immediately. Immediate relatives
are defined as spouses and children under 21 of U.S. citizens, and parents of a
U.S. citizen who is 21 or over.
Finally, when an immigrant visa number is available, the applicant must apply with
USCIS to adjust their current status to permanent resident status. If the applicant
is outside the U.S., he/she has to apply for an immigrant visa at the nearest U.S.
consulate before being allowed to come to the U.S. |