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What Rights Come with Having a U.S. Green Card?
A green card guarantees an individual the right to live and work in the United States. While it is not the same as having full U.S. citizenship and comes with some limitations, getting a green card is an important step toward becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Green card holders enjoy many benefits of living in the United States and may petition for their spouse and children to live in the country. For help applying for a green card or seeking immigration status for your loved ones, please contact our skilled immigration lawyer right away. Attorney Elsy Segovia has helped countless individuals and families enjoy the American dream by achieving and upgrading their immigration status. Get started by calling us today at 973-313-5794 for an initial consultation.
Live and Work in the U.S.
The most obvious benefit to receiving a green card is that the person may live and work in the United States. Unlike those with a tourist visa, individuals with permanent residency may work, study, and engage in other activities while living in the U.S.
Petition on Behalf of Immediate Family Members
Green card holders may also petition for immediate family members to gain entry into the United States. This is limited to the person’s unmarried minor children and their spouse.
However, once an individual has been naturalized as a U.S. citizen, they may sponsor additional family members for U.S. residency.
Qualify for Government Assistance
Having a green card allows those who need it to seek government assistance, such as through welfare programs. It is important to note that many programs limit who can receive benefits, requiring some individuals to wait up to five years before qualifying. For help getting the benefits you need as a green card holder, contact our immigration team today.
Travel to Certain Visa-Free Countries
Additionally, permanent residents may be able to travel to certain countries that allow visa-free travel to U.S. citizens.
Which Countries Can I Visit as a Green Card Holder?
Many green card holders hope their immigration status will allow them to travel more easily. While this is sometimes true, please be aware that you may still need a passport and tourist cards in some locations.
Canada and Mexico
As countries neighboring the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are two of the easiest countries to visit as a green card holder. Legal permanent residents may enter Canada with as little as their passport and green card. Traveling by air to Canada is a bit more complicated, requiring an eTA (electronic travel authorization).
Those who wish to enter Mexico may also do so without a visa. However, visitors must obtain a Mexico Tourist Card, which could be as easy as paying a small fee and filling out the proper forms when entering the country.
Caribbean Islands
Many of the Caribbean Islands also allow visitors from the United States who have a green card. Some of these locations include:
· British Virgin Islands
· Aruba
· Bonaire
· Curacao
· Saba
· St Maarten
Other Locations
Several other countries throughout the world allow U.S. citizens to enter visa-free. This means that green card holders may also visit these countries relatively easily. Some of these countries include:
· Albania
· Montenegro
· Singapore
· Costa Rica
· Georgia
· Malaysia
· Bosnia
· Morocco
· Turkey
· United Arab Emirates
Depending on your intended destination, the requirements and rules of traveling may vary slightly. It is important to contact a legal representative before making plans to ensure you’ll have the necessary documents when it comes time to travel.
How Do I Qualify for a Green Card?
Qualifying for a green card can be complicated, depending on your unique situation and country of origin. For the best chances of getting approved for legal permanent residency in the U.S., please reach out to a trusted attorney like Elsy Segovia.
File a Petition
The first step in seeking to upgrade your immigration status is filing a petition with USCIS. There are many ways to do this, depending on age, marital status, U.S. citizen relatives, and other variables. Usually, a U.S. citizen sponsors you by petitioning on your behalf. Contacting an immigration lawyer is a good way to ensure you fill out the correct forms.
Provide Necessary Evidence
In addition to submitting the proper form, you must also provide evidence that you are in good health, that you deserve asylum in the U.S., that you are a person of good moral character, and other information needed by USCIS. According to U.S. immigration guidelines, some categories of eligibility for a green card include:
· Family
· Employment
· Special immigrant
· Refugee or asylee
· Human trafficking and crime victims
· Victims of abuse
For help gathering enough evidence and navigating the complex application process, please seek counsel from a trusted legal representative right away. Your attorney can help ensure you have the proper paperwork submitted on time, including necessary evidence, to give you a better chance of getting your green card approved.
Should You Hire Our Immigration Attorney?
Working with a skilled, experienced attorney can make all the difference when seeking immigration status in the United States. Many individuals think they can do it on their own, then face delays and even deportation for submitting the wrong form or forgetting essential parts of the application process
With Attorney Elsy Segovia on your side, you can rest assured that you’ll have the legal counsel and representation you need as you seek legal resident status. Call today to schedule your initial consultation with our caring, capable legal team and take the next step toward enjoying green card status.
