Family Green Cards
US Immigration Attorneys
San Diego Office:
7486 La Jolla Blvd., PMB 175
La Jolla, CA 92037
phone: (858) 375-4566
fax: (858) 446-4506
(858) 375-4566
or Contact us
Green Card Advantages
" Green Card" is a common term for what is properly known as an Alien Registration Receipt Card. Years ago, the cards were green. Today, they come in a variety of colors.
A Green Card allows you to work at any job, for any company anywhere in the US, or you may choose not to work at all.
You may live anywhere in the US and stay as long as you like. While all cards issued today have expiration dates, they can be renewed.
You will be allowed to apply for US citizenship after you have held your Green Card for a certain length of time.
Having a Green Card identifies you as a permanent resident immigrant of the US. You are required to make the US your permanent home. If you don't, you risk losing your card.
You may also travel in and out of the US whenever you wish with your Green Card in hand. However, you cannot remain outside the US for more than one year at a time without special permission or you risk losing your card and your US permanent resident status. Even if you plan to travel out of the US for less than a year, the INS or overseas Consulates can become suspicious you have moved and may no longer consider the US is your permanent home. If that happens, your Green Card can be taken from you.
Our law firm can assist you in obtaining a green card for yourself or for a family member. During the Green Card application process, even before your card is issued, we can help you obtain travel and work privileges.
AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE we advise clients on how to maintain their Green Cards once they are issued and how to renew them once they expire. When clients travel or live temporarily overseas, we advise on how to minimize risks so the Green Card is not taken away and they may return to the US without problems.
We will remain a source for all of your immigration needs relating to your US Green Card for so long as we continue to remain in the business.
How can I apply for a Green Card ?
First, you need a Sponsor ...
You must have at least one family member who is willing to sponsor you for a Green Card. Sponsors of family-based green cards must themselves be either a US citizen or Green Card holder. Sponsors cannot be an immigrant in the US on a work visa, visitor's visa, student visa or other visa.
If your sponsor is a US Citizen , your sponsor may be:
- your husband or wife;
- your adult child, adult step or adopted child;
- your parent, your step or adoptive parent;
- your sister or brother, or your stepsister or stepbrother.
If your sponsor is a Green Card holder, your sponsor may be:
If you have more than one possible sponsor in your family, we can help you decide how to chose the most suitable sponsors.
If your family member can sponsor you, give us a call and we will be glad to assist and answer any questions you have. There is no charge for phone consultations, and all calls are treated Confidentially.
Filing the Petition and Application ...
We will file what is called a "petition" with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (known as INS) on your sponsor's behalf. After the USCIS approves the sponsorship petition, we can then apply for a US Green Card for you. In many cases, it can take several years to process your Green Card from the time the petition is filed. However, there are exceptions such as when you are the spouse of a citizen and you live in the US. See Time Issues for more information. Our offices will obtain your US Green Card in the shortest possible time.
Call us at 858-375-4566 or Contact us and we will be glad to assist in determining how best to proceed in your case.
How can my family members get Green Cards?
You may help sponsor your family member to obtain a Green Card if you already have a Green Card yourself, or if you are a US Citizen. You cannot act as a sponsor if you are a foreigner in the US on a work visa, student visa, visitor's visa or other visa.
If you are a US Citizen, you may help the following members of your family obtain their Green Cards:
- your husband or wife;
- your children, stepchildren, and adopted children;
- your parents, step parents, and adopted parents;
- your sisters and brothers, or your stepsisters or stepbrothers.
If you are a Green Card holder, you may help the following family members get their Green Cards:
You may sponsor more than one family member at a time provided you have enough income to meet certain minimum income requirements for sponsorship.
Just because you can be a sponsor, this does not mean your family member automatically qualifies for a US Green Card. There are many immigration rules and USCIS (known as INS) procedures that affect the ability to obtain a Green Card in addition to how long it will take. It is best to speak with us before taking the next step of filing paperwork with the USCIS. An improperly filed Green Card petition can result in delays and a potential bar against your family member from entering the US for up to ten years.
If you believe you can be a sponsor for your family member, give us a call and we will assist and answer any questions you have. There is no charge for phone consultations and all calls are treated Confidentially.
Filing the Petition and Application ...
We will file what is called a "petition" with the USCIS (known as INS) on your behalf. After the USCIS approves the sponsorship petition, we can then file an application for a Green Card for your family members. In many cases, it can take several years to process the Green Card from the time the petition is filed. However, there are exceptions such as when you are a citizen and your foreign spouse lives in the US. See Time Issues for more information. Our offices will obtain your Green Card in the shortest possible time.
Green Cards by marriage or family relations is our specialty
Contact us for assistance with marriage immigration and other permanent resident applications.
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