A green card gives you lawful permanent residency status in the U.S. That may sound simple, but the process for obtaining one can be complex. The documentation required for a green card can be overwhelming and you do not want to make errors or omissions that could result in delays or a denial. That is why it is crucial that you work with a skilled Chicago green card attorney at Borjas Law Group, LLC.. Our firm is devoted to practicing U.S. immigration law, which gives us in-depth knowledge in this field.
Need a green card? Get dedicated legal help from our team. Contact us online or at 312-788-2783.
Navigating The Green Card Application Process
The first step in obtaining a green card is to determine under which immigration category you will apply. If you are currently living in the U.S., you may apply for a green card through the Adjustment of Status process. This application will be done domestically so that you do not have to return to your home country. If you are residing outside the U.S., you will apply through the consular processing route. Your application will be sent to a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country.
Green cards can be:
- Family-based
- Employment-based
- Asylum- or refugee-based
- For victims of abuse
- For victims of human trafficking or crimes
- For special immigrants
Many categories require that your petition be filed through a sponsor, such as a family member or an employer. Each category has distinct rules and procedures that must be followed thoroughly and accurately if you wish to succeed.
Green Card Processing Times
Green card processing times vary widely. Some applicants wait years before receiving theirs. Country of origin plays a major role in processing times for employment-based and family-based categories. USCIS allocates only a limited number of green cards per country each year. Applicants born in high-demand countries like India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines can face long wait times due to huge backlogs.
Adjustment of status cases currently take roughly one to two years on average. Consular processing timelines depend heavily on the specific embassy or consulate involved. USCIS publishes a monthly Visa Bulletin that tracks priority dates for backlogged categories. If you are from a high-demand country, you may want to monitor this bullet as you plan your immigration journey. A Chicago immigration attorney can help you understand where you stand in the queue and suggest steps you can take to keep your case moving forward as efficiently as possible.
What You Need to Know About Conditional Green Cards
If you receive a green card based on a recent marriage, USCIS will issue it on a conditional basis. A conditional green card is valid for two years, rather than the standard ten-year card. USCIS issues these conditional green cards for applicants whose marriages are less than two years old at the time USCIS approves the application.
If you receive a conditional green card, you and your spouse must file Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) to get a permanent, ten-year green card before your card expires. If you miss the filing window or file your Form I-751 incorrectly, you risk losing your permanent residency status.
The I-751 petition process requires you to provide evidence that your marriage is genuine, and USCIS may schedule an interview to verify that. An immigration law firm can help you gather the right documentation and make sure your petition is filed correctly and on time. Your lawyer can also help you prepare for your interview if USCIS requires one.
How to Keep Your Green Card Valid
A standard green card is valid for ten years. You will need to file Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card) to renew it before it expires. You do not automatically lose your permanent residency if you let your green card expire, but an expired green card may affect your ability to work legally and travel internationally. This is because many employers and border officials require a valid green card as proof of your lawful status.
If you have a standard green card, you should file your renewal application within six months of your card’s expiration date. If you hold a conditional green card, you must file Form I-751 within the 90-day window before your two-year card expires. If you miss a renewal deadline, it could create serious complications for your case. A Chicago immigration lawyer can track these deadlines for you and handle the process of preparing your renewal paperwork and addressing any complications that arise.
The Path to Citizenship After You Receive Your Green Card
For many people, a green card is a step toward something bigger: US citizenship. Once you become a lawful permanent resident, you may be eligible to apply for naturalization after five years of continuous residence in the US. If you obtained your green card through marriage to a US citizen, that waiting period is only three years, as long as you remain married to and living with that spouse.
You will need to meet other requirements to obtain citizenship, including physical presence thresholds and good moral character standards. You must also demonstrate basic English language and civics knowledge. The naturalization process involves its own application, biometrics appointment, and interview. A lawyer can assess your eligibility for citizenship and flag any potential issues in your background that could affect your application. They can also prepare you for biometrics appointments, tests, and interviews so you can approach every step of the process with confidence.
Trusted Chicago Green Card Guidance At Borjas Law Group, LLC
We deal with immigration issues every day and understand the problems that can delay your application or result in a denial. Our firm is dedicated to providing professional legal assistance aimed at reducing these kinds of issues so that you can achieve lawful permanent residency as smoothly as possible. We believe in building relationships with our clients based on responsive communication and mutual respect. If you are facing any kind of immigration issue, we are the firm you can count on.
Ready to start your green card application? Reach out to our team at 312-767-1102 today.
