Getting your permanent resident card, also known as a green card, is a very exciting time in someone’s life and will give the bearer the right to permanent residency in the United States. There are many requirements in order to be granted this special privilege, and there is extensive paperwork that is required along with each of these requirements. Minor clerical errors on the application, omitted paperwork, or incorrect documentation can set an applicant back significantly and can cause a series of delays for relatively minor issues on a green card request.
Working with an immigration attorney is the best way to ensure that you are minimizing your risk of delays on your application and that your chances of being approved the first time are as good as possible. We will go through each step of your application with you, making sure that all of the required documentation is included in your submissions, that your deadlines are all met, and that any information required is provided clearly.
Read more below about some specifics regarding a green card application. If you’re getting a green card in FL or applying for a green card renewal, contact us now to schedule an initial consultation to speak with a Florida immigration attorney today.
A green card is officially known as a “Permanent Residence Card.” An immigrant to the United States who is a green card holder is authorized to work and live in the United States permanently. In addition to the privileges granted by a green card regarding living and working freely, anywhere in the United States, the green card is also the next step towards citizenship. Once an individual has been granted a permanent residence card, they will be able to start working towards citizenship within three to five years.
There are a variety of different paths towards a green card, and ultimately U.S. citizenship. Take a look below to see a brief overview of a few of the most common types of green cards issued in the United States.
A family-based green card is an opportunity for family members of someone who is either already a U.S. citizen or green card holder to get a pathway towards their own permanent residence card. The family members that are considered for this type of green card are spouses, children, siblings, and parents. In addition, it includes the spouses, children, and siblings of those who are eligible. More distant relations are not eligible for this pathway.
There are many different types of employment-based green cards depending on the applicant’s industry, level of expertise, specialty, and more. Since there is such a wide variety of employment-based green cards, it is recommended that you work with a Florida green card attorney in order to determine the most appropriate application for you to complete, and the right green card for your circumstances.
The diversity lottery is a program that randomly selects up to 50,000 people each year from a wide range of countries of origin. The initial criteria for this type of visa is that the person is from a country with historically-low immigration numbers into the United States—hence the “diversity” focus of the lottery.
The following are just a few questions that we commonly answer during initial consultations. Be mindful of the fact that these questions are extremely specific to your situation, and so the best way to get an accurate answer is to contact us as soon as possible.
A “green card,” more officially known as a permanent resident card, is issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The bearer of a permanent resident card is authorized to live and work anywhere in the United States. Typically a green card must be renewed every 10 years unless issued through marriage or another conditional green card; these must be replaced within the first two years.
If you have a “nonimmigrant” visa then this certification is temporary and you will need to consider your next step before it expires. If you have an active work visa, then you will be able to perform work in the United States until it expires. However, if you want to have a permanent ability to live and work in the United States, then you will need to apply for a green card. This is also a significant step in becoming a naturalized American citizen.
Typically, a green card is valid for 10 years, at which point you will need to apply for a replacement card. However, your rights as a permanent lawful resident do not expire with the card; once you are issued a green card, your residency is permanent except for very specific situations where it may be revoked, such as if you are convicted of certain types of fraud or other criminal activity.
FL green card renewals can be complicated, which is why we recommend working through an attorney who handles U.S. citizenship and immigration cases. You should start the green card renewal application process six months before your green card expires. You can renew your green cards online or by mail.
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According to the Department of Homeland Security’s page about Lawful Permanent Residents, “lawful permanent residents (LPRs), also known as “green card” holders, are non-citizens who are lawfully authorized to live permanently within the United States. LPRs may accept an offer of employment without special restrictions, own property, receive financial assistance at public colleges and universities, and join the Armed Forces. They also may apply to become U.S. citizens if they meet certain eligibility requirements.”
When the U.S. Government issues you a green card, you can reside, work, and go to school in the United States. If you have a green card, you do not need to apply for other permits, such as a work visa or student visa. You do not, however, enjoy the full rights of a U.S. citizen. For instance, you cannot vote in local, state, or federal U.S. elections.
Depending on your personal situation, there are a number of other avenues that will allow you to move to the U.S., maintain employment, attend school, or conduct business. You should speak to an attorney if permanent resident status is not an option. You may be eligible for a visa that can help you accomplish your goals.
While there are too many specific visa types to list individually, the U.S. Department of State grants visas for many circumstances, including:
Because there are so many types of visas, it’s easy to apply for the wrong type or to file for an application that is not optimal for your situation. Contact our immigration law office to learn more about the options that are available to you.
According to the USCIS website, obtaining a green card can take 120 days from the date of the application. There are, however, other factors that may delay the process and it could take a year or more. For instance, the U.S. Government occasionally puts freezes on the immigration process. Additionally, errors in application documents have caused significant delays and denials in the past.
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Caring and compassionate, Saman Movassaghi Gonzalez is a Florida immigration attorney dedicated to producing the results her clients need. She has over 17 years of experience helping both corporate and individual clients with an emphasis in employment/investment cases and family adjustment cases.
As the Managing Attorney at Florida Immigration Law Counsel, Saman Movassaghi Gonzalez and her team are capable of representing and helping individuals looking to attain a Family Visa, Work Visa, and Citizenship/Naturalization. Her experience successfully representing clients in front of the Department of Justice for cases involving Deportation/Removal Proceedings will lead to success in your case.
Her experience and expertise in immigration litigation has led to multiple Avvo awards and other accolades, including the Clients’ Choice for 2017 Immigration Attorney. Her clients also consistently post positive reviews on her Facebook page. Her experience has also allowed her to teach a new generation of lawyers as an adjunct professor of law at Nova Southeastern University, and she also regularly gives speeches on immigration matters.
Counselor Gonzalez is also experienced in helping corporate clients through the process of filing for Employment Visas, Labor Certifications, and Business and Investment Visas with the Department of Labor. She takes on the entire case from start to finish, simplifying the process for her clients and allowing them to focus on their business.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and Farsi – Saman Movassaghi Gonzalez is dedicated to making her clients feel comfortable and assured in making her their go-to immigration attorney in Florida. Her goal is to ensure that those who want to live the American dream have a professional fighting for them and making the process as painless as possible.
Saman’s passion for immigration law stems from her personal life as the daughter of immigrants. Her parents were recipients of the student F1 visa in 1971. Her father came into this country with the goal to improve his life and the life of his children. He earned a PhD in Civil Engineering and Business, instilling in his daughter a strong work ethic that she carries to this day. Saman saw firsthand what it means to be an immigrant and achieve the American Dream.
Saman Movassaghi Gonzalez can personally understand the struggle of immigrants and the children of immigrants navigating through the bureaucratic process of immigration law. Because of this, she dedicates herself fully and provides her personal attention to every case. She prides herself on developing a strong relationship with each and every client, and she is not afraid of pushing the envelope and looking for answers where other attorneys have failed.
Saman Movassaghi makes it her goal to provide you with only the best representation for immigration matters because she believes it’s time for you to live the American dream!
