How to Get a Green Card

For millions of people, a green card is a bit like a golden ticket, allowing them to work and stay in not a Chocolate Factory, but a Land of Opportunity – the United States of America. A green card means that you are a permanent resident and can live and work in the USA, but how do you get your hands on one?

How To Get a Green Card

There are various methods of getting a green card and becoming a legal resident of the USA. It’s very often a case of not what you know, not even who you know, but who you are related to!

Family Based Immigration

If you are a close relative of a US citizen, you’re in! Of course, third cousin twice removed on Great Aunt Lucy’s side is not considered close, we’re talking spouse, child, step-child or parent of a US citizen, or a Green Card holder – hey, you take me, you take my whole family. Actually, married children of Green Card holders might have a bit more trouble, it’s really for the unmarried variety.  Many immigrants have so little money that they often turn to Medicaid funeral expenses to cover unanticipated deaths.

Employment Based Immigration

Of course, if you are exceptionally skilled in something which the United States thinks might come in useful, that could be your ticket to a green card. Outstanding researchers and professors, executives or managers of multinational companies or extraordinary people with extraordinary ability stand a very good chance of being accepted – can’t think why but they get first preference. If you’re not really “outstanding” but still “exceptional”, or have an advanced degree you could stand a chance too, especially if you’re involved in “activities that will substantially benefit the U.S. national interest”.  Other people who are qualified in certain employment categories are also welcome to apply. There is a real shortage of nursing staff in the U.S. so they’re always welcome, but there are also other professions which are in short supply and if you are qualified in one of these areas you stand a very good chance of being accepted.

Green Card Lottery

The U.S. Department of State holds a Green Card Lottery every year, and every year 50,000 green cards are handed out to anybody who is lucky enough to win the lottery – it doesn’t matter who you are, what you do and where you live, it’s a lottery. It is regulated by your country of birth which changes each year, so check it out. Watch out though, there have been a few Green Card Lottery scams about lately, well, the stakes are high and there are always those ready to take advantage of people – there’s only one Green Card Lottery every year so don’t let anyone else tell you differently.

Investors

If you have plenty of dosh you might be welcomed with open arms, especially if you invest $500,000 in a targeted area which will create at least 5 full time U.S. jobs and therefore benefit the U.S. economy, or $1,000,000 in some commercial enterprise which will create at least 10 full time U.S. jobs and benefit the economy of the U.S. (I don’t think the area is restricted for that one).

Adoption

Any child, under the age of 16 years who is adopted by either a U.S. citizen or a green card holder will be eligible for a green card – that’s a bit tricky for most people to organize isn’t it, I mean, it’s not like training to be a nurse!

Registry

If you’re a foreign national but have lived in the U.S. since 1972, then you can automatically have a green card, mind you, if you’ve been there for nearly 40 years I should think so too.