Green card, what it is, what it is for and how to get it

The Green Card USA is probably the most sought-after card at the moment, since this document allows a foreigner to reside in the United States for an unlimited period of time.

Usually, every year the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) - the agency responsible for issuing them - issues around 1 million Green Cards, but there could be some changes soon.

In his recent electoral platform, Donald Trump has focused a lot on fighting immigration: given his electoral success, many think that starting in 2025, the number of Green Cards issued could be halved, from 1 million to 500,000 per year.

Those who could pay the price are especially unskilled workers, while Trump has proposed granting the card to the most deserving university students, thus allowing them to remain in the United States.

Let’s see in detail what is the Green Card, then take a look at what is it for and in what ways can it be obtained.

What is the Green Card Usa

The Green Card (Permanent Resident Card) is the document issued to an immigrant to remain living and working forever in the United States.

It is called this because until 1974 it was printed on a green card, while today it is issued in the form of a card while maintaining the same name.

The Green Card is issued by the USCIS, a federal agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that manages the country’s naturalization and immigration system.

Those who obtain the Green Card do not automatically receive American citizenship; this can only be requested after 5 years, which becomes 3 years if the spouse is a US citizen.

What can you do with a Green Card

The US Green Card confers permanent resident status in the United States. Having one offers numerous advantages and opportunities, while maintaining some limitations with respect to citizenship.

Here is what you can do with a Green Card:

• live and work anywhere in the United States without needing a visa or specific permit;
• move freely between US states;
• work legally in any sector or profession in the United States, unless it is a position reserved for citizens only;
• attend public schools and universities at a lower cost than international students;
• after a certain period of residency, you can access benefits such as Social Security, Medicare, and other assistance programs, following specific requirements;
• enter and leave the United States with fewer restrictions than temporary visa holders.

Green Card holders, however, cannot vote in federal elections and in many cases local elections, cannot hold certain public offices or government jobs, and can lose their status if they remain outside the United States too long or commit serious crimes.

How the Green Card Works: Requirements, Expiration, and Renewals

The Green Card is valid for 10 years, while for conditional permanent residents, such as spouses of US citizens married for less than two years, it is valid for 2 years.

The permanent resident status does not expire, but to renew the card, you must begin completing the various procedures - forms to fill out and fees to pay - at least six months before it expires.

Very importantly, to renew, you must go to a USCIS center to provide fingerprints, photo and signature.

Green Card holders must also maintain a stable residence in the United States, not commit a serious crime and update the address with the USCIS within 10 days of moving.

How to get a Green Card

The US Green Card can be obtained in four ways:

• for family reunification;
• by drawing lots through a lottery;
• by applying for humanitarian protection;
• for requirements based on your work.

Family members

This is certainly the simplest and most widespread method, given that approximately 65% of Green Cards are assigned to people who have close family ties with US citizens or permanent residents.

However, not all family ties guarantee the quick delivery or obtaining of the green card. In some circumstances, a limited number of certificates are made available each year.

The fastest and most unlimited method is family reunification through marriage or close relatives of a US citizen. In this case, the waiting time is from 6 to 14 months, while for other cases of family reunification it can take up to over 20 years.

Lottery

The US State Department makes 55,000 Green Cards available each year through a lottery. This practice was necessary to defend the rights of certain categories of citizens who were often excluded from US immigration policies, including Italy.

There are no special requirements to participate, you must have completed at least high school and be a citizen of a country whose participation is permitted.

From early October to early November of each year, you can apply to participate in the lottery for free. Just follow these simple steps:

• fill out the online form with all your personal data and family status;
• provide a photograph that meets the required American standards;
• submit the application. At the end, you will receive a code via email through which you can check the status of your application.

From May 5th until September 30th, it will be possible to view the lottery results. Just enter the assigned code in the appropriate section of the site and check if it appears among the winners. Whoever is drawn will begin the actual bureaucratic process, which will be very long.

The first thing is to schedule an interview at the American consulate. After paying the consular fee, you will have to submit various documents and undergo a medical examination and mandatory vaccinations.

Work

The third way to obtain the Green Card is based on your employment. This is an option given to foreign workers who are usually already temporarily residing in the country. There are various categories of Green Cards aimed at workers. Here are which ones:

• Green Card EB1: reserved for high-level professionals such as managers and university professors;
• Green Card EB2: also dedicated to exceptional professionals, in various fields;
• Green Card EB3: for specialized workers who have received a permanent job offer from an American company;
• Green Card EB4: refers to religious citizens belonging to some religious organization and to minors who have been entrusted, for various reasons, to the guardianship of a US court.

Humanitarian protection

Another quota is reserved for individuals who need humanitarian protection, such as refugees or political asylum seekers.

Costs of the Green Card

Obtaining the Green Card involves significant costs. Here are the costs you will have to pay:

• the documentation to be presented can cost between 400 and 800 dollars;
• then you will have to pay the fee for the Green Card application: between 100 and 400 dollars;
• to these figures you will then have to add the costs related to other necessary documents.

Finally, for the renewal the fee to be paid is around 540 dollars, with this figure that includes the cost for fingerprints.

Original article published on Money.it Italy. Original title: Green card, cos’è, a cosa serve e come ottenerla