Looking for a Green Card Lawyer?
If you’re looking for a green card lawyer, we can help.
ARM Lawyers immigration attorney Lauren Allu is an experienced green card lawyer who can help you file for and receive your green card.
Attorney Allu will guide you through the filing process for lawful permanent residence, facilitate your communication with USCIS, and ultimately help you obtain your green card.
What is a Green Card and how do I get one?
A Permanent Resident Card, commonly known as a Green Card, is a document issued by the U.S. Government through the United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) that grants the holder the right to live and work permanently in the United States.
Obtaining a green card can be a complex process that often involves various types of visas. A visa is an official document that allows a foreign national to enter and stay in the United States temporarily or permanently, depending on the visa type.
Understanding the relationship between visas and green cards is crucial.
In many cases, securing an immigrant visa is a step toward obtaining a green card. Below, we outline the different paths to obtaining a green card, including the relevant visa categories involved in each process.
These include:
Family-Based Green Cards
Family-based green cards are among the most common ways to achieve permanent residency in the United States. If you have a close family member who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, they may sponsor you for an immigrant visa, which can lead to a green card.
Key Family-Based Visa Categories:
- Immediate Relative Immigrant Visas (Unlimited Visas):
- IR-1 Visa: For the spouse of a U.S. citizen.
- IR-2 Visa: For the unmarried child under 21 of a U.S. citizen.
- IR-3 and IR-4 Visas: For orphans adopted by U.S. citizens.
- IR-5 Visa: For the parent of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old.
- Family Preference Immigrant Visas (Limited Visas):
- F1 Visa: For unmarried sons and daughters (21 years and older) of U.S. citizens.
- F2A Visa: For spouses and unmarried children (under 21) of lawful permanent residents.
- F2B Visa: For unmarried sons and daughters (21 years and older) of lawful permanent residents.
- F3 Visa: For married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
- F4 Visa: For brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (if the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old).
Attorney Allu can help you understand which visa category applies to your situation, assist with the necessary paperwork, and ensure that your petition is filed correctly to avoid unnecessary delays.
Marriage-Based Green Cards
Marriage-based green cards are specifically for spouses of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. This path involves obtaining an immigrant visa that leads to a green card. The following are the primary visa categories associated with marriage-based green cards:
Key Marriage-Based Visa Categories:
- Immediate Relative Immigrant Visas:
- IR-1 Visa (Spouse of a U.S. Citizen): For couples married for more than two years at the time of visa issuance. This visa leads directly to a permanent (10-year) green card upon entry to the U.S.
- CR-1 Visa (Conditional Resident Spouse of a U.S. Citizen): For couples married less than two years at the time of visa issuance. This visa leads to a conditional green card valid for two years.
- Family Preference Immigrant Visa:
- F2A Visa: For the spouse of a lawful permanent resident (green card holder).
- K Visas (Nonimmigrant Visas Leading to Green Cards):
- K-1 Visa (Fiancé(e) Visa): Allows the foreign fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen to enter the U.S. to marry within 90 days.
- K-2 Visa: For the unmarried children under 21 of a K-1 visa holder.
- K-3 Visa (Nonimmigrant Spouse Visa): Allows the foreign spouse of a U.S. citizen to enter the U.S. while awaiting approval of an immigrant visa petition (Form I-130).
- K-4 Visa: For the unmarried children under 21 of a K-3 visa holder.
Our experienced green card lawyer will help you determine the best visa option for your situation, prepare a strong application, gather necessary evidence, and ensure compliance with all requirements to transition smoothly to lawful permanent residency.
Employment-Based Green Cards
Employment-based green cards allow foreign nationals to obtain permanent residency through job opportunities in the United States. These are typically pursued through specific employment-based immigrant visas.
Key Employment-Based Visa Categories:
- EB-1 Visa: For priority workers, including persons of extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, and certain multinational executives and managers.
- EB-2 Visa: For professionals holding advanced degrees or individuals with exceptional ability in the arts, sciences, or business.
- EB-3 Visa: For skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers.
- EB-4 Visa: For special immigrants, including religious workers, certain broadcasters, and others.
- EB-5 Visa: For investors who create jobs through significant capital investment.
The application process often requires labor certification and a permanent job offer from a U.S. employer.
Our green card lawyer can assist both employers and employees in preparing and filing the necessary documents, ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.
Investment-Based Green Cards
Investment-based green cards are primarily obtained through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which provides a pathway to permanent residency for foreign investors.
Key Investment-Based Visa Category:
EB-5 Visa: For investors who invest in a new commercial enterprise in the U.S. and create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers.
Attorney Allu can guide you through the EB-5 application process, help you understand the investment requirements, and assist in compiling the necessary documentation to demonstrate compliance with USCIS regulations.
Asylum Status Green Cards
If you have been granted asylum in the United States, you may apply for a green card one year after receiving your asylum status. To be eligible, you must have been physically present in the U.S. for at least one year since being granted asylum and continue to meet the definition of a refugee.
While there isn’t a separate visa involved in this process, adjusting your status from asylum status to permanent resident is a critical step.
Attorney Allu can help you transition from asylum status to lawful permanent resident, ensuring that all eligibility criteria are met and that your application is thoroughly prepared.
Diversity Immigrant Visa Program
The Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program, also known as the green card lottery, provides up to 55,000 immigrant visas annually.
Key Diversity Immigrant Visa Category:
DV Visa: For individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S., selected through a random lottery.
If you are selected for the program, our green card lawyer can assist you in completing the necessary steps, preparing your application, and ensuring that you meet all deadlines and requirements.
Our Green Card Lawyer Office Locations
ARM Lawyers proudly serves clients throughout Pennsylvania and beyond. With offices located in:
we are accessible to clients across the North East. We also offer virtual consultations for clients who are unable to visit our offices in person.
Our green card lawyer team is committed to providing you with personalized legal services to meet your immigration needs.
Green Card Lawyer Fees
We understand that the cost of legal services is an important consideration. At ARM Lawyers, we offer competitive and transparent pricing for our green card services.
The fees vary depending on the complexity of your case and the specific services required.
During your consultation, we will provide a detailed explanation of the expected costs and discuss flexible payment options to accommodate your budget.
Green Card Lawyer Consultation
Take the first step toward securing your future in the United States by scheduling a consultation with our green card lawyer. Attorney Lauren Allu will evaluate your case, explain your options, and answer any questions you may have.
Contact us today on our Contact Page to schedule your consultation.
Let our green card lawyer be your trusted partner on your journey to becoming a lawful permanent resident of the United States.
