Getting a US Green Card means having a permanent residence permit for immigrants, which makes it possible to live and work in the US with rights and duties. Therefore, the Green Card cannot be purchased. Does buying property in the USA qualify for a Green Card? Do not. If you invest in real estate, you will not get migratory benefits. The US government will still analyze your situation according to the aforementioned assumptions and you will need green card attorney el paso tx.
Green Card: How long does it take?
It is difficult to determine an exact time to obtain a Green Card, as it varies greatly from case to case. In general, it is possible to estimate an average of 2 years in case of employment sponsorship. The processing time for a Green Card application varies depending on the type of visa applied for, the volume of applications in the place where your procedure is taking place, the need to complement documents, etc.
There are two phases of application processing – the first, at USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Service), to approve your sponsor’s petition. The second phase concerns the Green Card itself, and will be longer or faster depending on whether you are already in the US (and then just want an adjustment of status) or if you are still in your country of origin, respectively.
When applying for your Green Card, please be patient and keep in mind that the most urgent matters are considered first. Therefore, a green card for a sibling of a US citizen is likely to have a longer waiting time than a green card for a spouse or a child under 21.
Difference between Green Card and US Citizenship
A common mistake is to confuse the Green Card with US citizenship. Note that these are different things. You are a US citizen only if you were born in the US or if, having been born abroad, you are a child of US parents (mother or father). On the other hand, even if you apply for naturalization. The Green Card is only related to the person’s permanent residence, being a totally different and separate issue from the first. For you to apply for citizenship, you cannot leave the country during this process, and you must have legally lived in the United States for a minimum period of 5 years. In other words, before you apply for US citizenship, you will need to have obtained a Green Card.
How much does a Green Card cost?
Applying for a Green Card will incur various costs, and it is not possible to give an exact total. There are dozens of fees, and they will vary depending on the type of visa and on a case-by-case basis. However, in general, you can account for these expenses –
- USCIS petition fee – $ 435 to $ 3,675 – by petitioner
- Green Card application fee – $ 160 to $ 325 – by applicant
- Statement of support – US$ 120 – by petitioner
- Medical exam fees – Depends on tests required by the US Embassy – by green Card applicant
- Administrative fees – Depends on required prints, copies, and authentications – by Card applicant
- USCIS immigration fee – US$ 220 – by Green Card applicant