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All over the world, people dream of moving to the United States for a new life. There are different opportunities for foreigners to apply for permanent residence, each with their share of benefits and challenges.
The road to successfully obtaining a Green Card can be long but doesn’t have to be stressful. Since there are many legalities involved with each application bid, potential immigrants should enlist the help of immigration lawyers to handle the complicated steps.
Niren and Associates has over 30 years combined experience in assisting foreigners with their Green Card pursuits. With a proven track record for getting results, we guide each applicant through the process, helping individuals and families with their unique immigration needs to become US permanent residents.
Contact our Montral immigration law office for a no-obligation, professional, honest assessment
I’m extra thankful for how you handled my sponsorship case. It had been impossible without your strong efforts. Your submission was so excellent as well as considerable. With your assistance, my husband and I are going to be living together shortly. – Caroline D.
Options for US Permanent Residence
There are diffent avenues towards obtaining a Green Card. Each has its own requirements and steps, and you need to determine which option suits you best.
Family Based Petitions or Family Sponsorships
Depending on your situation, you may be eligible to apply for a US Green Card using a Family based Petition for having relatives living in the US as US Citizens or Green Card holders. Certain family members may be eligible to sponsor or petition you for a Green Card.
Spousal Sponsorship Petitions I-130
If you are married to a US Citizen or a Green Card holder, your spouse may be eligible to sponsor you by filing an I-130 Petition. However, your spouse must earn an income that is equivalent to at least 125% above the poverty line.
If this is not the case, your spouse will have to have a co-sponsor or co-signer complete an I-864 application form. Of course it is more complicated than this.
Further, if your spouse is not a US Citizen and only a Green Card holder or a US Permanent Resident, then the application can take much longer, usually a number of years to process.
Application Procedures for US Citizen Spouses
1. The Consular Processing application where the foreign spouse usually remains outside the US while the application is in process and the application is forwarded to that spouse’s local US Consulate.
2. The Adjustment of Status (AOS) process. This process is for applicants who are already in the US usually as visitors, workers or students and who marry a US Citizen and want to remain in the US while their Spousal Petition is in process. This application involves filing an AOS application (Form I-485) along with the other applications such as the I-130 and I-864. The application is usually filed the local district office in the state you live in.
Note: If you file an AOS application you cannot leave the US until the application has been approved unless you also file an I-131 application for Application for Advance Parole with the other AOS documents.
Employment-Based Petitions for a Green Card
You may have a US employer who is willing to petition you for US Permanent Residence. In this case, most applicants are usually already in the US on a valid US Work Visa such as an L1 Visa or an H-1B Visa. These Green Card applications are called Employment Based Petitions and usually involve filing an I-140 application to the Service Centre located in the jurisdiction of the place of employment.
Our Montreal Immigration Attorneys Have Extensive Knowledge About Each Option
Applying for a Green Card without professional assistance is very risky. Since there are many specific details that need to be fulfilled, such as proper documentation or application sections, the success of your case depends on your awareness of the requirements.
Often, it is not clear what needs to be done, and if you accidentally omit information or submit immigration material incorrectly, your application may be delayed or denied.
When you have Niren and Associates’ attorneys working on your case, you can relax knowing that we will not miss any important information. Your chances for an approved application are greatly increased wth our professionsl services. We give you the chance to concentrate on planning your new life in the US.
