A green card is a document that allows foreign nationals to live and work in the US.It can be difficult to get an employment-based Green Card since it costs money and takes time to arrange.If you are already eligible to apply for a Green Card, you can improve your chances.Discuss your options with your employer if you want to get a green card.Make sure you have the documents you need to apply with your employer.
Step 1: You should look into your employment authorization status.
You need permission to work in the US in order to get a Green Card.If you have been authorized to work in the US on an H-1B visa or Employment Authorization Document, then the Green Card application process will be easier.If you don't have a visa or other form of approval to live and work in the US, you may have to wait a long time for Green Card approval.If you don't have permission to work in the US, there are other options.If you are in the US temporarily as a refugee, a student, or a non-permanent employee, you can submit an Application for Employment Authorization.Non immigrant visas are available for people who want to work in the US temporarily.These visas can be used to start the Green Card application process.
Step 2: You can check the eligibility categories for employment-based Green Cards.
Before approaching an employer or potential employer about getting a Green Card, consider whether you belong to one of the following categories: workers with exceptional skills in the arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics, including researchers, professors, and multinational managers or business executives.Workers in professions that require an advanced degree, people who are highly skilled in the sciences, arts, or business, and workers applying for a job are the second preference.For labor requiring less than 2 years of experience or training, skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers are the third preference.Immigrants with special status include religious workers, physicians, broadcasters, and other categories.
Step 3: If anything makes you ineligible, find out.
There are other factors that may affect your ability to get a Green Card or work in the US.If you have a health condition that is potentially a threat to others, such as a communicable disease, or a mental disorder that may cause you to behave in ways that threaten yourself, you may not be able to get a Green Card.Have a criminal record in another country.Have ties to organizations that are hostile to the US.They have been working in the US without permission.
Step 4: When applying for a job, be honest about your eligibility.
Many jobs ask applicants if they are eligible to work in the US.If your potential employer asks you if you will need sponsorship in the future, answer honestly.If they are willing to interview you or make a job offer with that information in mind, chances are they will sponsor you for a Green Card.Employers in the US are not allowed to ask if you are a US citizen, and they can't ask about your national origin.If you are currently authorized to work in the US, they can only ask if you need sponsorship for the future.Unless you are offered a job, you don't have to prove your eligibility to work in the US.
Step 5: Discuss green card sponsorship after a job offer.
If you have gotten as far as receiving a job offer, your employer is very interested in working with you and likely already knows about your immigrant status.It's a good time to talk about Green Card sponsorship.If you just received a job offer, you might say, "I am very interested in this opportunity and would like to accept your offer."Can we discuss the steps we need to take together to help me get authorization to work permanently in the US?
Step 6: Discuss the Green Card policy with your employer.
There isn't a consistent policy regarding Green Card sponsorship.Your employer's willingness to sponsor you may depend on a number of factors, such as how big the company is, which eligibility category you fall into, whether or not you already have permission to work in the US, and whether you are a potential hire or a current employee.Some employers may have an immigration lawyer on staff.Some employers might start the process of sponsoring you for a Green Card immediately at the time that you are hired, while others may expect you to spend some time with the company on a work visa first.
Step 7: Talk to your employer about your eligibility.
The process for getting your Green Card depends on which eligibility category you fall into.If you are a first preference worker, your employer will not need to file as much paperwork.If you already have an immigration or work visa, let your employer know.You can call the US Citizenship and Immigration Services office to find out more about permanent employment eligibility for immigrants.
Step 8: If your employer expects you to cover expenses, find out.
The Green Card filing process can be expensive for both you and your employer.Your employer may expect you to cover some or all of the other required fees for obtaining your Green Card, even if you don't have a job.If you want to come up with a formal agreement about who will be responsible for which expenses, sit down with your employer.You may be held responsible for the I-140 and I-485 filing fees by your employer.If you apply for yourself, these fees can be as high as $1,925.If you are seeking Green Cards for dependents or relatives, additional fees may apply.Employees may be charged attorneys' fees for the Green Card filing process.
Step 9: You can find out if you need an application for permanent labor certification.
Most immigrant employees need a permanent labor certification before they can apply for a green card.If you work for an employer that does not need to file for a permanent labor certification for you, you will not have to.All application fees for your Permanent Labor Certification are paid by your employer.It may take several months to complete the process of filing for Permanent Labor Certification.The status of the application can be checked by your employer.
Step 10: You can ask your employer to file an I-140 form for you.
After your employer obtains a Permanent Labor Certification for you, the next step is for them to file an I-140 form on your behalf.You may need to get your I-140 petition approved before you can apply for a Green Card.If there is no wait time for you to get your immigration visa, you can file your I-485 and I-140 forms at the same time.Make sure your employer has all the information they need to fill out the I-140 correctly, including your full name, country of citizenship, mailing address, passport number, and I-94 Arrival-Departure Record Number.If you have any family members or dependents who will be immigrating with you, your employer will need to provide information about them on the I-140.If you are a religious worker, a Canal Zone employee, or a physician working under certain circumstances, your employer will need to file an I-360 form.It usually takes several months for I-140 to be processed.Premium processing guarantees a processing time of 15 days for most categories of immigrant workers.Premium processing requires a filing fee of $1,225 and the completion of an I-907 form.
Step 11: If you're already in the US, you should file a Form I-485.
It is your responsibility to file the application.You must be present in the US and have an immigrant visa available to you immediately in order to file the I-485.The form is free from the website of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.The typical filing fee for employment-based applicants is $1,225USD.Employers may be willing to pay a fee for you.Depending on your immigration status, the wait time for I-485 approval may be different.If you paid your immigrant visa fee in the US, the processing time may take up to 120 days.
Step 12: You can submit any other documents.
In order to support your application, you will need to submit various documents.Depending on your circumstances and eligibility category, these may include 2 passport-style color photos of yourself.A photo of your passport with a government-issued ID.A proof that there is no birth certificate available.You were admitted into the US with copies of documents certifying that you were checked by an immigration officer.There is documentation for your immigrant category.An official job offer from your employer.A form completed by a civil surgeon certifying that you do not have any medical conditions that would prevent you from being eligible to live in the US.
Step 13: You can check the status of your application.
You can check the status of your application online once you have submitted all of the necessary paperwork.You will need the receipt number to look up your case if you keep your filing receipts.You can check your status here: https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.
Step 14: You can file an appeal if your application is denied.
You can submit an appeal to the AAO if your application for a Green Card is denied.Within 30 days of an unfavorable decision, an appeal must be filed.You can file a notice of appeal.You will need to pay a $675 filing fee.