Birmingham Green Card Lawyer
Establishing yourself as a lawful permanent resident within the United States can be a watershed moment in your life since it could open a world of new possibilities. For instance, many people who acquire green cards have new employment options and are eventually able to become U.S. citizens. However, successfully applying for and obtaining LPR status is far from a simple endeavor, especially if you have no prior experience dealing with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services.
When it comes to getting your green card in the most efficient and proactive manner possible, there is no substitute for support from a hardworking immigration attorney. By retaining a Birmingham Green Card lawyer for guidance with your application, you could substantially improve your odds of securing the permit you need.
Determining Eligibility for Legal Permanent Resident Status
Most people who become eligible to apply for Legal Permanent Residence do so through sponsorship by a citizen or permanent resident family member. Additionally, in other cases, immigrants use an employer as a sponsor for their new green card.
Different prerequisite conditions and filing requirements might apply to these kinds of applicants, depending respectively on their specific relationship with their sponsoring family member or what kind of services they will provide their employer.
There are, however, a few other ways in which an immigrant could become eligible to obtain a green card. For instance, individuals who are granted refugee or asylee status in the U.S. are then able to apply for LPR status after residing in the country for one year. Similarly, holders of valid T and U visas, permits for survivors of human trafficking and criminal activity, might be eligible for green cards through their unique statuses.
Finally, some special immigrants—like religious workers and employees of NATO or another eligible international organization—can apply for LPR status without a sponsor. Making sense of all these eligibility requirements can be challenging for someone unfamiliar with immigration law, but a knowledgeable attorney in Birmingham could help a client determine green card eligibility during a consultation.
The Forms and Documents Needed to Apply for a Green Card
People who are already in the United States at the time of their application go through a process called adjustment of status when applying for green cards, while individuals outside U.S. borders go through consular processing. Either way, an applicant generally must obtain a valid visa before actually applying for their green card, a process that can differ depending on how they qualified for LPR status.
The entire process of adjusting status to obtain a green card begins with Form I-485, which must be completed and submitted to USCIS along with photocopies of documents like a birth certificate, Form I-797 indicating approval of sponsorship, an affidavit of support, and whatever else is necessary to establish eligibility. A detail-oriented Birmingham lawyer could help with compiling and submitting all this required information, to minimize procedural headache associated with obtaining a green card.
Consider Working with a Birmingham Green Card Attorney
The Green Card application process is not easy to get through by yourself, and even a small mistake or omission could lead to lengthy processing delays. If you want the best odds of securing the resolution you want from your application, representation from an experienced legal advocate is key.
Thankfully, a Birmingham Green Card lawyer could provide the assistance you need – handling negotiations, double-checking paperwork, and answering your many questions. Contact our office today to speak with a team member.
