In most cases, an employer, family member or sponsor is the one who applies for permanent residence, in favor of another person, but there are ways to process a Green Card without meeting these two requirements.
In order to legally reside and work in the United States, you must obtain a Permanent Resident Card, also known as a Green Card. This can be managed through the permanent Diversity Immigrant Visa program, which grants this document to approximately 55,000 people each year.
This is a big step, since those who obtain the Green Card will be able to acquire US citizenship in the future. The Green Card allows the beneficiary who is going to move to the United States, to take his family group, who will also have legal and permanent residence.
In most cases, an employer, family member or sponsor is the one who applies for permanent residence on behalf of another person. For example, this is required by the EB-5 visa, the requirement of which is to make a minimum business investment of $800,000 in the country.
Despite the fact that to obtain the Green Card you must invest money or have a job offer previously, there are other ways to manage it, which do not require further investment.
Steps to apply for a Green Card without having a job offer or making a strong investment
The Green Card can be obtained through the EB-2 visa or National Interest Waiver. It is an immigrant visa that grants a foreigner legal permanent residence in the United States without the requirement of a job offer, a highly requested alternative, but requires extensive documentation to be approved.
People who can apply for this type of visa
● Those who have a higher than university degree: a master’s degree and/or a doctorate.
● Exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, business, or sports.
● Alternatively, a college degree combined with at least five years of experience in your profession.
Requirements to apply for the EB-2 visa
To apply, at least three of the following requirements must be met:
● Have an official academic record showing that you have a degree, diploma, certificate, or similar award from a college, university, school, or other institution of learning related to your area of exceptional ability.
● Submit letters from current or former employers documenting at least 10 years of full-time experience in your occupation.
● Show a license to practice your profession or certification for your occupation.
● Show evidence that you have earned salary or other compensation for services that demonstrate your exceptional ability.
How to apply for the EB-2 visa for National Interest and what is its cost?
The process to apply for the EB-2 visa for National Interest can be done either in the United States or through an embassy.
● It starts online on the official website of the United States Department of Immigration.
● One of the requirements is to fill out Form I-140 (Immigrant Worker Petition) whose filing fee is $700.
● Then, Form I-485 (Application for Adjustment of Status) which ranges from US$750 to US$1,140, depending on the applicant’s age.
● The process for this type of visa is from 6 to 12 months, but it can vary according to the number of cases that are presented. (YO)
Source: Eluniverso
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