How to Apply for a Green Card

How to Get a Green Card.

Having a green card, or permanent residence status, gives you the ability to legally live and work in the United States, and it's a step toward becoming a U.S. citizen. You can apply for a green card through your family, your employer, and for other special reasons. The process can take a long time, but the reward is great. 

Get a Green Card

A Green Card holder (permanent resident) is someone who has been granted authorization to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis. As proof of that status, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) grants a person a permanent resident card, commonly called a "Green Card."

You can become a permanent resident several different ways. Most individuals are sponsored by a family member or employer in the United States. Other individuals may become permanent residents through refugee or asylee status or other humanitarian programs. In some cases, you may be eligible to file for yourself.

Next Steps

USCIS provides thorough information on how to apply for your green card.

1. Visit the Green Card Eligibility webpage to learn if you are eligible.  
2. Visit the Green Card Based Forms page for details on which forms you will need to complete and submit in order to apply for your permanent residence status.
3. Follow form instructions to submit application for you green card. Make sure to follow all of the instructions or USCIS might not be able to process your application.

Tips

USCIS provides an excellent resource tool for new immigrants called, Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants. This guide is available in 14 different languages. It provides information you will need to know about keeping your permanent status and adjusting to life in your new country.

Kenyans applying for Green Card advised to ensure compliance before spending

Nairobi, Kenya: Kenyans seeking greener pastures in the US have been asked to exercise great caution and obtain the necessary information before applying for the green card lottery. Political and Diplomatic Secretary in the ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr Robert Mutua Ngesu asked Green Card Lottery holders to obtain proper information from government agencies and the America Embassy beforehand. “There is need to obtain proper information from government agencies and the American Embassy before proceeding to incur heavy expenses in the process of obtaining a visa.

He said that the government was concerned over the rising number of complaints from Kenyans seeking refunds after a failed attempt at qualifying for the green card. “The complaints received range from lack of proper information on educational requirements, undergoing expensive medical examinations and incurring heavy expenses which are not refundable,” he noted. The unsuccessful Kenyans, he further said, end up with mental and financial distress on realizing they funds used are non-refundable. 

Thousands of Kenyans apply annually for the green card as a passage to start a life in the US. However, only a selected few get to realize their dreams. To be considered eligible, an applicant must have been born from a qualifying country and have a high school education or its equivalent or five years’ work experience in one of the selected qualifications. The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs had earlier this month announced that willing participants can apply for the 2015 green card lottery from October 1, to November 1, this year. Applicants are asked to register online through the US State department website during the 30 day open registration, for free. 

Mr Ngesa however cautioned Kenyans that the amount paid for medical expenses and Visa fees is non-refundable. “Please note that granting of a Visa is the prerogative of the receiving state and the government cannot compel such state to grant the visa or refund monies paid if the visa is not granted,” he said. He urged interested parties to always cross check the authenticity of any transaction they conduct to avoid incurring heavy expenses.