Why Should You Consider a US Green Card Visa?
Thinking about applying for a US Green Card Visa? Annually, over one million green cards are granted by the U.S. government. By 2019, the United States sheltered approximately 13.9 million green card holders, and among them, 9.1 million met the criteria for potential citizenship. Your immigration to the United States has been made easy with the US green card. Here’s a complete guide on green cards and why you should consider a US green card to become a US citizen.
What is a US Green Card Visa?
A Green Card enables the holders to reside and work in the US permanently. As an official ID document, the well-known immigrant visa also provides the green card owners almost all the rights of a US citizen. The actual name for the US Green Card is the Lawful Permanent Resident Card or Form I-551. Among all the US visas, the Green Card stands out for relocating to America due to its permanent validity as a Lawful Permanent Residence.
The History of the Green Card
It is believed that during the 19th and early 20th centuries, immigration to the United States was still unlicensed. After the American Civil War, the U.S. Supreme Court introduced the first innovations. In recent times, the foundation for U.S. PR Visa was laid during World War II. In 1940, the Alien Registration Act was passed by the U.S. Congress which founded the rules for immigrating to the United States.
What does a Green Card Contain?
The United States Green Card contains the following elements or data:
- Surname
- Given Name
- USCIS number
- Category
- Country of Birth
- Date of Birth
- Sex
- Issue Date
- Expiration Date
- Photo of the green card holder
- Hologram
How to Obtain a Green Card?
The U.S Green Card can be obtained through the following options.
- Through employment in the USA
- By winning the green card lottery
- By making a huge investment in a US company
- For family reunification
How To Apply for a US Green Card Visa?
To apply for a US Green Card, you are required to submit certain documents, which are:
- The nonimmigrant DS-160 application form
- A valid passport
- One photograph
- Proof of payment for a nonimmigrant US visa application
- Details regarding your social media
Before considering residing in America, first explore the following options:
- Do you have family members residing in the United States?
- Do you attain unique skills that could be highly valuable to a US employer?
- Do you qualify for the Green Card Lottery based on eligibility criteria?
Why should You Consider a US Green Card Visa?
Green card holders are considered permanent residents of the US and therefore they become eligible for not all, but several benefits. Below, are some advantages that green card holders are blessed with:
- You are free to travel and settle in any part of the United States.
- As a Green Card holder, you qualify for many federal benefits such as Social Security and government-funded educational assistance. In addition, specific colleges and universities may offer you tuition fees within the state.
- Your employment opportunities expand significantly as a Green Card holder, compared to those with work visas.
- You have the right to sponsor other family members for a green card. The eligible family members include spouses, children, siblings, and some close relatives as well.
Conclusion:
In summary, living in the US without a green card is possible, but can be challenging. Even with a valid work visa, there is always a risk of losing everything. Hence, with the presence of a US PR Visa or Green Card Visa, life in the United States can be projected. Even in times of turmoil, when temporary visas are often not renewed, you can safely apply for a US Green Card renewal.