Adjustment of status to that of a permanent resident [Greencard]
Our office can assist you to acquire your legal permanent residency considering your particular situation through business immigration or a family visa. Once you have such status you are eligible to then apply for U.S. Citizenship after 5 years as a Permanent Resident, or 3 years if your legal permanent residence was obtained through your marriage to a US Citizen.
A Green Card holder (permanent resident) is someone who has been granted authorization to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis. As proof of that status, a person is granted a permanent resident card, commonly called a “Green Card.”
Obtaining U.S. permanent residence (“green card”) through a family member
A U.S. citizen can petition for their spouse, parents, siblings and children.
The family petition of spouse parent and minor children are immediately available, however, petitioning for an adult child can take anywhere from 5-7 years and for a sibling can take anywhere from 10-12 years.
Legal Permanent Residents can petition for their spouse and children. Certain categories have priority dates that are not current and can take longer than a year or two to process, sometimes 5-7 years. Its is recommended that you speak with counsel before petitioning family members that are in the U.S. illegally so do be informed as to the period of time such a petition can take and the risks to your relative during the processing time.
Obtaining U.S. permanent residence (“green card”) through employment
There are a number of employment-based categories that lead to U.S. permanent residence. Our immigration attorneys can assist you in applying through the appropriate employment-based category with the greatest chance of success:
- EB-1: Persons with “extraordinary ability” in the arts, sciences, business or athletics, “outstanding professors or researchers,” or multinational executives.
- EB-2: Advanced-degreed professionals or persons with “exceptional ability” in their respective fields in areas where the Department of Labor has certified that qualified workers are not available in the U.S.
- EB-3: Skilled workers, unskilled workers or professionals in areas where the Department of Labor has certified that qualified workers are not available in the U.S.
- EB-4: “Special immigrants,” such as International Organization (G-4) employees and their families, and religious workers.
- EB-5: Foreign “entrepreneurs” who want to invest between $500,000 and $1,000,000 in the United States to create U.S. employment. We are affiliated with an expert EB-5 attorney, who would be happy to discuss your situation with you.
Our office can answer your questions about immigration law for your business, whether your organization is in the private, governmental, non-profit or educational sector.
We are ready to help your business accomplish its staffing goals through the visa process. Though the process can be long and complex, we can help you meet the necessary requirements to employ and hire foreign employees.
