Comprehensive Guide to Applying for a Green Card in the US

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This informative guide covers essential information about obtaining a Green Card, including eligibility criteria, application processes, visa bulletin updates, and different pathways such as family sponsorship, the Diversity Visa Lottery, refugee/asylee status, and employment-based options. It also outlines the roles of key immigration agencies and provides insights into the rights and obligations of Legal Permanent Residents. Explore the detailed procedures and requirements to achieve lawful permanent residency in the United States.

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Four Ways to Apply for a Green Card Law Offices of Jacqueline Lentini jacki@lentinivisas.com www.lentinivisas.com 630-262-1435

Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) What is a green card? Allows foreign nationals to work in the US for any employer Permits self-employment Cannot vote Can be deported if commit a crime that would rise to the level of deportation, i.e. a felony www.lentinivisas.com 2

Immigration Agencies -U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) -Customs and Border Protection (CBP) -Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Other Agencies: Department of State ( DOS ) issues visas at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad Department of Labor ( DOL ) oversees H-1B and involved in green card through employment process www.lentinivisas.com 3

Ways to apply for a Green Card 1. Family 2. Diversity (DV) Lottery 3. Refugee or Asylee 4. Employment www.lentinivisas.com 4

Red tape www.lentinivisas.com 5

1 - Family Immediate Family, spouse, children and parent of a U.S. Citizen (USC) means no wait Unmarried sons and daughters of USC s 21 years or older (1st Preference) Spouses & unmarried, minor sons & daughters of Permanent Residents (2A Preference) Unmarried Sons and Daughters over 21 of LPRs (2B Preference) Married sons and daughters of USC s 21 or older (3rd Preference) Brothers & sisters of USC (4th Preference) www.lentinivisas.com 6

Family Visa Bulletin JULY 2018 China- Mainland Family All Chargeability Areas, Except Those Listed India Mexico Philippines 1st 22 Apr 11 22 Apr 11 22 Apr 11 01 Aug 97 01 Jun 06 2A 22 Jun 16 22 Jun 16 22 Jun 16 08 Jun 16 22 Jun 16 2B 15 Aug 11 15 Aug 11 15 Aug 11 08 Mar 97 01 Feb 07 3rd 01 May 06 01 May 06 01 May 06 01 Dec 95 15 Apr 95 4th 15 Nov 04 15 Nov 04 15 Nov 04 15 Jan 98 22 Mar 95 www.lentinivisas.com 7

2 - Diversity Visa Lottery High school degree required 55,000 limit per fiscal year Country limit of 7% www.lentinivisas.com 8

Diversity Visa Lottery July 2018 Region Allocation cut-off number Africa Current Except: Egypt - 21,325 Europe 23,325 Asia Current Except: Nepal - 6,950 South, Central America & the Caribbean 1,585 Oceania 1,400 North America Current

3 - Asylee/Refugee: Fleeing Persecution Refugee applies from outside the U.S. Asylee applies from within the U.S. Must establish well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion. www.lentinivisas.com 10

4 - Employment EB-1: Extraordinary Ability, National Interest Waiver, Multi-national Executive or Manager EB-2: Outstanding Researcher, Professional with an Advanced Degree EB-3: Professional or Skilled Worker EB-4: Special immigrants such as reacquisition of citizenship, religious workers EB-5: Investor program www.lentinivisas.com 11

Employment Visa Bulletin July 2018 All Charge- ability, Except those Listed Employ- ment Based China, Mainland El Salvador Guatemala Honduras India Mexico Philippine s Vietnam 1st C 01Jan12 C 01Jan12 C C C 2nd C 01Jan15 C 15Mar09 C C C 3rd C 01Jan13 C 01Nov08 C 01Jan17 C Other Workers C 01May07 C 01Nov08 C 01Jan17 C 4th C C 08Feb16 C 08Feb16 C C 5th C 01Aug14 C C C C 01Aug14 www.lentinivisas.com 12

Employment Alphabet soup of visas: A, B-1/B-2, C, E-1, E-2, E-3, F-1, H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, J-1, K, L-1A, L-1B, M-1, O-1, P-1, R-1, U and V visas H-1B main visa-apply abroad or from US like many international students seeking to change status in U.S. to work after graduation Long waits for green card/permanent residency Visa Bulletin www.lentinivisas.com 13