For many individuals, their goal is to obtain a green card which will allow them to live and work permanently in the U.S.  The steps you will need to take to apply for a green card will vary depending on your particular case.  If you are interested in applying for a green card, contact us to speak to a green card attorney in Tampa, FL who will evaluate the facts of your case to determine how and if you can achieve this goal.

In evaluating your case, we will first examine whether you are eligible to apply for a green card.  There are a variety of ways to obtain a green card, and the eligibility requirements may vary depending on your immigrant category.

If you are eligible to apply for a green card, we will then determine which application process would be appropriate in your case: adjustment of status or consular processing.  Adjustment of status refers to a process in which you can apply for a green card while in the U.S. while consular processing refers to a process in which you can apply for a green card at a U.S. consulate abroad.  The process that will be appropriate in your case will depend on factors such as whether you are in the U.S., entered without inspection, or overstayed your entry visa.  If you would like to understand which process you will need to undergo in your case, contact our firm to speak to a Tampa green card lawyer.

Although the steps to apply for a green card will vary depending on your particular case, the following are the basic steps involved in the application process:

1. Generally, someone must file an immigrant visa petition for you.
2. Once the immigrant visa petition is approved and a visa is available, you file your application for permanent residency with either U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) or the U.S. Department of State.
3. You attend a biometrics appointment to provide fingerprints, photos, and a signature.
4. You attend an interview.
5. You receive a decision on your case.

If you are the immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, you will not have to wait for a visa to become available since there are an unlimited number of visas for this category.  You will therefore be able to immediately proceed to the step of filing your green card application.

Are you interested in applying for a green card?  Call our office today to consult a green card lawyer in Tampa, FL about your case.