How much does a green card cost? Question asked by several Brazilians, who see immigration as a chance to change their lives, the most desired document for those who want to move to the USA.
Every year, thousands of people leave their country of origin to seek opportunities in the USA. Here you will learn how to apply for a green card, what the conditions are, and how much it costs.
What is the Green Card?
The Green Card is officially called the US Permanent Resident Card.
It is usually granted by the US authorities to immigrants who want to live and work in the United States.
In the United States, all types of visas are temporary;
- Work visa, which lasts only for the period of the contract with the American company.
- Student visas that last as long as the course and do not allow you to work. Therefore, those who intend to move their lives permanently to the United States should start researching how much a green card costs as soon as possible.
With this document in hand, the immigrant is granted the same rights as a citizen born in the United States. He can work anywhere in the country and take courses at affordable prices.
The card, which guarantees permanent residency in the United States, does not allow the bearer to stay more than one year outside the country.
Is it difficult to get a Green Card?
If you want a green card to live and work in the United States, there are a few ways to get the document legally.
Marriage to an American
The simplest way to get a green card is to marry an American. After confirming the marriage, you will be entitled to a Green Card, same sex marriage also guarantees the document.
But be careful, forging a marriage just to get your green card is considered a federal crime and most of the time easily discovered by the authorities.
After you marry an American, you can apply for your green card by filling out the I-130 form from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Having close relatives with American citizenship
Another quick way to get a green card is through close relatives who already have American citizenship. If your father, mother, siblings or children have American citizenship, you can already apply for your permanent visa.
The permanent residency card, by family, must be requested by filling out the I-130 form, just like marriage.
A specialized consultancy is the safest way to obtain the green card, so you will be best instructed in the whole process.
Have a job in the USA
When it comes to applying for the document, it helps a lot if you are working in the US. This is because, obviously, once the company considers you as an indispensable employee, they can use this argument before the US government.
This would soon turn your work visa into a green card.
Those who want to get a permanent residency card through their employer need to fill out the I-140 form.
In all cases, you may need to buy a house in the United States to have a better quality of life on this new journey.
Invest in the United States
With various incentive programs for investors, the American government seeks to create jobs and inject as much capital as possible into the country’s market.
If you are interested in obtaining a green card to live and work in the USA, it is possible to achieve this goal by investing some money in the country.
The EB-5, a visa which facilitates the issuing of the Green Card, works in the following way, the foreigner makes a loan to the United States in order to grow the country. The money is used by companies, schools, hospitals, among other organizations.
And how much does a green card cost? After a period of 5 to 7 years, the invested value returns, with the proper monetary corrections and the permanent residence card, which includes spouse and children.
New draft immigration law
On February 18, 2021, the White House announced an immigration bill that aims to reverse policies adopted by the former president. The goal of the reform is to streamline documentation for immigrants who arrived in the US as children.
- The bill aims to reduce the path to acquiring American citizenship from thirteen to eight years;
- People who came to the United States as children can acquire a green card automatically, as long as they meet the requirements, such as having no criminal record.
- Only immigrants who arrived in the United States before January 1, 2021 will be covered by the immigration reform.
How much does a green card cost?
In this case, it is estimated to cost around $1,400 to $1,960, considering the expenses of government fees, biometrics, and medical examination.
This figure may increase if an attorney is retained. The processing time varies from 7 to 15 months.
The immigrant spouse first receives a conditional green card, which lasts for two years. After this period, if the marriage still exists, a new interview is scheduled by the USCIS to grant the 10-year document.
How long does it take to get a green card?
The time between application and issuance varies from case to case.
Some people can get the document within a few months. Others need to wait up to 5 years to get permanent residency in the United States.
In any case, it is good to have a lawyer to speed up the process and to know how much a 2021 green card costs.
WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO OBTAIN A U.S. RESIDENCY CARD?
- The foreigner needs to get a Brazilian passport, apply for a visa, have his process approved, move to the USA,
- start the green card process, obtain the provisional card
- Renew the provisional document for the permanent one.
Do I need to renew my green card?
After 10 years with the provisional card, the foreigner must renew the green card. He can also exchange the green card for American citizenship
IS IT VERY EXPENSIVE TO GET A GREEN CARD?
You need to pay an American green card attorney’s fees, exams and fees. The cost ranges from $10,000 to $25,000.
Highly skilled immigrants have a better chance of getting a green card
One of the measures adopted by Donald Trump is to take into account the qualification level of the foreigner when granting a green card.
Highly qualified professionals can live in the United States through the EB1 and EB2 visas. In both cases it is necessary to prove experience and have titles earned through merit throughout the career.
Doctors, lawyers, scientists, and athletes, by proving extraordinary abilities, can apply for the EB1 modality. And how much does a green card cost? The cost of the application is 25 thousand dollars, and the time it takes to be issued can take up to two years.
Professionals with more than 10 years of experience are qualified to apply for the EB-2. In this case, it is necessary to prove that your professional skills will contribute to the economy, culture, or education in the USA.
Knowing all these options and how much a green card costs, you can now get organized to get your dream green card.
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