You applied for a U.S. visa, and now you’re waiting for it to come so you can become a green card holder. By learning about the visa bulletin, you can figure out when you’re going to get your visa.
What Is the Visa Bulletin?
First, you need to know what the visa bulletin is as well as its purpose. If you are applying for your green card, you will check the visa bulletin, which the U.S. Department of State issues every month, to see when you can move forward with your green card application. This bulletin is based on when you filed your I-130, Petition for Alien Relative through the USCIS to initiate the green card process.
Information About Wait Times
Keep in mind that if you’re the spouse, unmarried child (under 21 years of age), or parent of a U.S. citizen, then you will not need to check the visa bulletin. There is no wait time if you’re in this scenario. However, you will need to check if you’re the spouse or unmarried child (under 21 years of age) of a green card holder. It should take an average of 12 to 18 months for you to get your green card. And if you’re in a different scenario, it could take months or years to get your green card. It all depends on your situation and the current wait times.
Why Get a Green Card?
There are many benefits of having a U.S. green card. You will be able to work and live in the U.S. A green card is also the first step to becoming a U.S. citizen.
If you have been a green card holder for three years and are married to a U.S. citizen, you can then apply for citizenship. If you have been a green card holder for five years and are not married to a U.S. citizen, you can apply for citizenship.
You also cannot be deported back to your home country if you have a green card if the immigration laws change. But if you commit a crime, you might lose your residency and have to leave the country.
You’re able to renew your green card once every ten years and sponsor other family members who want to get their green cards as well. You can also leave the country and re-enter as often as you want. However, you need to return to the country within 12 months for it to still be valid.
Why Get Citizenship?
Being a green card holder sounds pretty similar to being a U.S. citizen. So, what’s the difference? Why should you apply for citizenship after being a green card holder?
As a U.S. citizen, you’re able to vote in any election in the U.S. and run for public office. You can also apply for visas for your siblings, which a green card holder cannot do. You can travel outside of the U.S. with your U.S. passport, and you don’t have to return within a certain timeframe. You’ll be able to apply for certain federal jobs, which may require you to be a U.S. citizen.
If you need help applying for your green card or citizenship, an immigration attorney can help.
Contact a Florida Immigration Attorney
Do you have questions about your visa wait time or application? Then contact U.S. Immigration Law Counsel through our website or by calling 1-800-666-4996. We deal with the government so you don’t have to. We look forward to assisting you.
