Get Your U.S. Green Card

Green Card Renewal

A Green Card, also known as an Alien Registration Card or Permanent Resident Card, is generally only valid for ten years and must be renewed prior to its expiration.

In addition, under U.S. Immigration Law, Lawful Permanent Residents must carry their Green Card at all times. Lawful Permanent Residents who cannot produce their Green Card as evidence of status may have difficulty establishing authorization to work, travel or apply for financial services or government benefits. Therefore, if your Green Card is lost or stolen, it is important to replace it right away.

Green Card Replacement

There are times when a Lawful Permanent Resident needs to request a Green Card Replacement before the current card expires. For example, if one loses their Green Card or has it stolen, a Green Card replacement card can be requested.

Green Card - Family Based

In order to apply for a Family-Based Green Card, you must be sponsored by a family member in the U.S. If the sponsor is a U.S. citizen, then he or she must be the foreign applicant's husband or wife, mother or father, brother or sister or son or daughter. If the sponsor is a Lawful Permanent Resident (also known as a "Green card Holder"), then he or she must be the foreign applicant's spouse or child.

Green Card - Employment Based

Generally, in order to apply for an Employment-Based Green Card, a foreign applicant must be sponsored by a qualifying U.S. employer. For most employer sponsors, this involves submitting a Labor Certification Application. The Labor Certification is a test of the labor market to determine whether there are any qualified U.S. workers who are willing to do the job that is offered to the foreign applicant. Only employers who are unable to find qualified U.S. workers to fill the vacant position may sponsor a foreign national for a Green Card through the Labor Certification process.

Labor Certification can be a difficult and time-consuming process. In some situations, employees may be able to obtain an Employment-Based Green Card without first obtaining Labor Certification.

Green Card: Remove Conditions on Green Card with Form I-751

Individuals who obtain a Green Card through marriage to a U.S. Citizen are granted "Conditional" Green Card status, which is only valid for two years. Individuals who have been granted Conditional Green Card Status are required to apply to remove the Conditions on their Green Card within 90 days of the date that their Conditional Permanent Resident status expires.

Green Card: Asylum & Refugee

A person granted Refugee Status or Asylum may apply for a Green Card after he or she has been in the U.S. for one year.

Green Card Process

General information provided on How to Start the Green Card Renewal Process.

Green Card Priority Date

Check Green Card Priority date which is published by The Department of State monthly in a Visa Bulletin that tells applicants when their Priority Date is current. Applicants must wait for their Priority Date to become current before they can apply for a Green Card.