Essential Tips Before Applying for a US Green Card – 2024 Guide

Source: indiatimes.com

A Green Card holder is the one who has obtained permission to travel and work permanently in the United States. As confirmation of this position, the U.S. Citizenship and  carImmigration Services (USCIS) issues a permanent resident visa, generally referred to as the “green card,” to an individual.

The authorized office helps the applicant understand all the regulations and rules needed and explain the entire legal process. If there would be any interruption in the procedure, your request will probably be checked by the Department of Homeland Security to evaluate your eligibility. Attorneys, consultants, and paralegals who are specialists in immigration will mostly take the decision. Consequently, having expert legal aid can help you apply for the Green Card & fulfill the requirements faster.

Moreover, there are many ways to apply for it. One of the suggested methods by ashoorilaw.com is through self-petition. You can get a permanent residency even without a job offer and apply for the National Interest Waiver.

Before we indulge in the more in-depth factors, let us first examine the following essential tips before applying. These reminders will help you be enlightened about the first step before living permanently in the U.S.

Tips to ponder before applying for a U.S. Green Card:

Source: boundless.com

You need to know the four categories and their current car processing time where you can obtain a green card:

  • Immigration through Green Card Lottery – It will take for at least seven months within October and November.
  • Immigration through Employment-based categories – Ranges from 1-10 months.
  • Immigration through Sponsorship by a family member will take effect for one year and may extend for at least ten years.
  • Immigration through marriage – 1-10 months on average

Advantages and Disadvantages of Green Card:

Advantages

A green card will offer you the citizen’s rights and duties.

When you get a green card, you will be able to exercise the same rights and obligations as a full citizen has. It implies that everything that applies to that person, from due process to freedom of speech.

You will also be eligible for financial assistance and can work anywhere around the country you wish.

You can sponsor green cards for your family members.

Source: ec.europa.eu

If you get a green card approval, you can sponsor your family members with the same benefits. The United States describes those individuals who qualify as partners, parents, and unmarried children under 21.

The holders of green cards can donate to the electoral candidates.

In the United States, politics is a part of living. It is an integral part of American society. Most citizens find civic participation as a democratic virtue. Thus, as a green card holder, you will not be allowed to vote in local or state until you become a U.S. citizen. Through this report, the Federal Election Committee encourages individuals to contribute financially to their chosen Party.

Accessible travel in and out in the United States.

Source: home.bt.com

To continue holding a green card, you must meet and follow the residency standard and facilitate international travel. The green card is indicative of your permanent legal status in the country. When you enter a border crossing, American immigration programs must accept you, especially when you present your legitimate card.

Therefore, having an expired green card can be troublesome. If you are aware that your 10-year period will expire early, submit your renewal application as soon as possible to ensure your current status.

Disadvantages

You have to fulfill the residency criteria.

When you are from the United States who receives a green card, you have to invest adequate time to show permanent connections. If you don’t plan to make the U.S. a permanent home, this method may not be the best one. If you cannot comply with this requirement, your status will change to “abdication.”

Green Card Holders have tax liabilities.

Source: businessnhmagazine.com

Numerous reasons involving taxes may prevent you from applying for a green card. When you file as a non-resident, your condition and your right to ask for citizenship will be automatically affected.

Many countries allow green card holders in an immigrant’s home country to pay taxes. If you have any concerns about your global tax liability and are interested in getting this file, you’ll have to communicate with a professional foreign accountant.

This might cause an immigrant to lose their benefits to their homeland.

Certain benefits you may lose to your home country when you are already a green card holder in the U.S. Some immigrants may encounter this problem even if they don’t obtain the file but choose to reside in the U.S. for an extended period. Every country has its laws relating to the status of the people living in another country.

As an immigrant, you must investigate your local ordinances to evaluate if there are advantages you would like to retain before applying for a green card.

Others include:

Financial and documents Support.

Source: rocketlawyer.com

The Affidavit of Support is of great importance to the Federal government. You should make sure that you have an adequate means of financial help. Each sponsor’s case can be distinct from anyone, that is why you need to give additional documents such as W-2s, Ok-1s, 1099s, extensions, tax returns, IRS reports, account statements, and so on.

Filling-up the Application

When filling out the immigration form, you must be careful because to get a Green Card; you must include every piece of information accurately in the allocated fields. In submitting your document, the most common mistake is to keep it unsigned. So double-check each data in your report before applying.

These tips will significantly help you understand and be aware of your application for permanent residency in the U.S. It will also give you essential reminders that will be an advantage for your right decisions. Moreover, there are still many crucial factors that you must consider before applying for a green card. If you are an aspirant immigrant, you must first have thorough research and knowledge before you embark on your dream of becoming a permanent resident of the United States.