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Do Law Office: Guide to Hiring a Green Card Lawyer
Whether you’re looking for a green card or are already a legal permanent resident of the U.S.A., our lawyers will help you obtain your desired outcome.
What Is a Green Card?
A green card is an identity card that shows that the holder is a lawful permanent resident of the United States. A green card can change your life immensely. It allows you to apply for US citizenship later down the track, opens up employment opportunities, and allows you to sponsor your family to come to the United States.
However, obtaining a green card can be a complicated process without the help of a green card lawyer. A green card lawyer can explain the laws to you and help you navigate the green card application process.
Green Card Eligibility Categories
There are different eligibility categories for a green card. Getting a green card is impossible if none of the categories apply to you. You can ask an immigration lawyer for more details on the categories and determine which ones you can qualify for.
Some of the green card eligibility categories include:
- Family-based categories
- Employment-based categories
- Diversity Visa Program or green card lottery
- Victim of criminal abuse or activity
- Refugee or asylum status
Family-based Categories
A US citizen or a green card holder can help their relatives get a green card. Your family immigration lawyer can help you navigate the immigration laws for a family-based green card.
Employment-based Categories
An employment-based green card requires that the immigration applicants have an employer sponsor. This category of green cards includes people with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, religious workers, and multinational executive managers.
An investor-based green card is an option, but it requires you to invest more than $1 million in a new business, creating at least ten new jobs in the United States.
Diversity Visa Program or Green Card Lottery
This annual lottery grants permanent residency to immigrants with low rates of immigration into the United States randomly.
Victim of Criminal Abuse or Activity
To qualify in this category, you must have U nonimmigrant status. This status is granted to victims of certain crimes who sustained significant physical or mental abuse and were helpful in the investigation or prosecution of those crimes.
Refugee or Asylum Status
A person with a refugee or asylum status is eligible to apply for a green card if they were admitted as a refugee or granted asylum status at least one year ago.
Whether sponsored by family members, an employer, or applying as a refugee, the US immigration law has specific procedures you must follow to get a green card.
An immigration lawyer can advise you on the relevant procedures and guide you through the application process. They can also advocate for you in deportation proceedings.
Green Card Application Process
The green card application process differs based on the eligibility category that a green card applicant falls under.
Regardless of which eligibility category is relevant to you, you must submit your application through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The USCIS determines if you qualify for a green card by examining your family relations, labor certification, or refugee status based on your immigration case. If they approve your application, they will grant you a lawful permanent resident status and issue you with a green card.
While the exact steps of your application differ based on the category of your application, specific steps are the same for all categories:
Step 1: Immigration Petition
The application process starts with an immigration petition. A petition could be supported by an alien employment certification, job offer, or a family sponsor. A labor certification is essential for an employment-based application not in the EB-1 category.
Step 2: Medical Examination and Submission of Documents
Once this petition is approved, the applicant undergoes a medical examination. As an applicant, you must also provide the necessary documents to support your application, such as employer confirmation or an affidavit of support.
Step 3: Interview
The last step towards getting your green card is usually an interview, although the USCIS can waive the interview.
How Much Does A Immigration Lawyer for Green Card Cost?
The amount you will have to pay your immigration lawyer depends on your immigration case. More complex cases involving court appearances will cost more.
While you will have to pay for a green card attorney, the cost is worth it. In the long run, working with a lawyer saves you money and time. An experienced immigration lawyer can help you speed up your green card process and ensures that you maximize the chance of your application being approved.
Even though you can approximate your attorney fees using attorney advertising, you might be better off scheduling a consultation and getting a total estimate of the bill you should expect.
Do Law Office: Providing Green Card Immigration Services in Georgia
While it is not compulsory to have immigration lawyers, they understand immigration laws and can help you with any issues in your application.
Do Law Office has a green card practice, and we strive to maintain an excellent attorney-client relationship with our clients throughout the application process.
Another immigration service that our immigration law firm offers is naturalization. If you have already been in the US for a long time as a green card holder, you might choose to undergo the naturalization process to become a US citizen. Our naturalization lawyer can help you know if you’re eligible and provide legal help in the process.
If you have already been in the US for a long time as a green card holder, naturalization might be the next step in your immigration journey.
Are you looking for a Vietnamese immigration lawyer? At Do Law Office, we are here to help you with all your green card needs at an affordable charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does it Take to Process a Green Card Application?
Once you have submitted all the necessary documents and attended your interview, your application is reviewed for approval. It might take up to a month before you receive a response.
If you get stuck at any step or are confused about the documents you need, seek assistance from an immigration attorney.
Where Can I Apply for a Green Card Overseas?
If you are outside the US, you can opt to apply for a green card through a consulate. Foreign nationals usually use this option.
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Duluth, GA 30096
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PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL US:
Email: info@dolawoffice.com
Tel: 678-224-8940
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