Permanent Residency & The Green Card

Permanent Residency. Permanent residency ispreference. A second criteria includes the country
often referred to as having a Green Card. Thereof the relative's origin. Economically poor countries
are two primary categories of immigration:such as China and India tend to have the longest
Immigrant status and Non-immigrant status.waiting periods.
Immigrant status allows permanent residency inEmployment Immigration Green Card. Aliens
the United States. Non-immigrant status providesseeking permanent residency in the United States
an authorization to aliens for temporary residencyfor employment purposes must fit into one of
that expires upon the occurrence of a specificfive categories. The first category is "Priority
event.Workers" which includes Intra-Company
A Permanent Resident is commonly referred toTransferees of Managers and Executives,
as a "Green Card" holder. Permanent residentsOutstanding Professors and Researchers and
have many rights which include the following:Aliens of Extraordinary Ability in the Sciences,
The right to live in the United States permanently;Arts, Education, Business and Athletics. The
The right to reenter the United States aftersecond employment category is "Aliens of
traveling out of the country abroad;Exceptional Ability in the Sciences, Arts or
The right to apply for U.S. Citizenship afterBusiness" which includes Professionals with
continuously living as a Permanent Resident in theadvanced degrees. The third category includes
United States for five (5) years"Professionals with Bachelors Degrees not
The right to employment in any work that is legal;qualifying in the 2nd Preference, skilled workers,
There are four main categories for green cardand unskilled workers in special needs professions.
permanent residency and even moreThe fourth category is very narrow
subcategories under each main category. Theencompassing "Religious Workers" who are here
main green card categories include Familyto carrying out their religious mission. Finally, the
Sponsored Immigration, Employment Immigration,last category is based on economic development
DV Lottery, and Asylum and Refugee status.and includes individuals who invest one million
Family Sponsored Immigration Green Card. Foreigndollars ($1,000,000.00)in a new "commercial
family members of U.S. citizens and permanententerprise" or in a "troubled business" or those
residents may qualify for an immigrant visa.who invest Five Hundred Thousand Dollars
However, the United States sets strict limitations($500,000.00) in a "new commercial enterprise" or
on the number of immigrant visas allowed each"troubled business" in a "targeted employment
year. The closer the relative is the higher thatarea."
person falls on the priority scale for obtaining anDV Lottery Green Card. 55,000 immigrant visas
immigrant visa. Immediate family members of U.S.each year are available to those winning a Visa
citizens are given the highest priority. ForeignLottery. The number of lottery visas are
parents, children under the age of 18, andapportioned to countries that have fewer visa
spouses fall outside of the quota system andapplicants. To apply, an immigrant must fill out a
usually qualify quickly for an immigrant visa.number of forms detailing their background with
Extended family members of United Statesthe INS. Each year lottery contestants are drawn
citizens and family members of permanentand notified if they have won. A winning alien may
residents may also qualify. However, the waitingmake application for an immigrant visa.
period may be much longer. In some cases, theRefugee/Asylum Status. Refugee and Asylum
wait for a visa may exceed 10 years. The prioritystatus allows foreigners fearing persecution to
list for family sponsored immigration is as follows:seek refugee status in this country. Foreigners
(1) F-1 - Unmarried Sons or Daughters of U.S.outside of the United States may seek refugee
Citizens over the age of 21; (2) F2-A -Spousesstatus. Foreigners already in the United States
and unmarried Children of Permanent Residentsmay seek asylum to prevent deportation. After
under the age of 21; (3) F2-B -Unmarried Sons orapproval of Refugee or asylum status, the alien is
Daughters of Permanent Residents over the ageallowed to enter or remain in the United States
of 21; (4) F-3 -Married Sons or Daughters of U.S.and may seek an adjustment of their status to
Citizens over the age of 21; (5) F-4 - Brothersone of permanent residency after one year.
and Sisters of U.S. Citizens.For legal assistance Call (952) 746-2153.
The relationship is only one criteria in determining