Permanent Legal Resident (Green Card)
Permanent legal resident status allows a foreigner to live in the United States for an indefinite period of time. So long as he or she obeys the laws of the US, a green card holder can live in this country for as long as he or she wishes. Gaining legal permanent resident status is one pre-requisite for attaining full citizenship.
Routes to Lawful Permanent Residency
Fortunately, there are several legal ways to obtain lawful permanent residency (LPR) in the United States.
- Marriage. Although not an automatic ticket to LPR status, getting married to a US citizen can dramatically simplify the process of getting a green card.
- Employment. Permanent labor certification can be a route to a green card. This requires employer sponsorship.
- Green Card Lottery. For some hopeful immigrants, the green card lottery can be a chance to live and work permanently in the United States. Every year 50,000 visas are made available to people who are residents of countries which have significantly low rates of immigration to the US.
- US Sponsor. Some foreigners can gain lawful permanent residency status through the efforts of a US citizen who sponsors their application for a green card.
Permanent Legal Residency and Citizenship
Permanent legal residency is also one of the first steps on the road to becoming a full US citizen. With a green card and uninterrupted residence in the United States, a LPR can apply for citizen through a process of naturalization. An experienced immigration attorney can assist a resident seeking a US citizenship by providing sound counsel and aggressive legal defense.
Please contact the law offices of XXX. We are immigration lawyers who are well-versed in the legal issues that can crop up in residency and naturalization cases. Our immigration lawyers can help you or family member obtain the legal right to permanently live in the United States. At XXX, we have the experience to handle all facets of immigration law, including changes in status, gaining permanent resident status and applying for a green card.
Call today and discuss your residence status with an experienced YYY immigration attorney. We can help you or a family member move forward in becoming US citizens, or clear up immigration issues that are standing between you and a green card.