Regions and eligible countries for the Diversity Visa lottery
Media related to Green Cards (United States) at Wikimedia Commons
Applicants (including dependents) to the Diversity Visa lottery (for most recent eligible year with available data), as a percentage of each country’s population
Criticism and repeal efforts
However, the final version of this bill with amendments, signed into law on December 26, 2007, did not include the removal of funds for the program. Although H.R. 2764 was an appropriation bill and could only cut funds for the lottery during one fiscal year, this was the first time that both the House and the Senate passed a bill to halt the Diversity Visa program.
When applying for a green card, one of the final steps of the process is going to be attending an interview. The green card interview can be intimidating. However, as long as you are properly prepared, you can breeze through this step and gain your permanent residency status.
Knowing what the interview process entails is going to put you in a position where you can feel comfortable and confident entering your green card interview. Read through this green card interview guide to find out everything you need to prepare yourself.
The Diversity Immigrant Visa program, also known as the green card lottery, is a United States government lottery program for receiving a United States Permanent Resident Card. The Immigration Act of 1990 established the current and permanent Diversity Visa (DV) program.
New immigrants to the United States (2017–2021), in family and employment categories, by country of birth
New immigrants to the United States (2017–2021), in diversity category, by country of birth
Attempts have been made to end the program since 2005.
The Immigration and Naturalization Service was formed as part of the Department of Labor in 1933, and in 1940 was moved under the Department of Justice along with the Nationality Act of 1940. During the 1940s the predecessor to the “Permanent Resident” card was the “Alien Registration Receipt Card” which on the back would indicate “Perm.Res” in accordance with the Immigration Act of 1924.
Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act
Permanent resident card (2010)
2019 “public charge” restrictions on awarding Green cards
There have also been numerous cases of fraudulent emails and letters which falsely claim to have been sent by the Department of State and that the recipient has been granted a permanent resident card. These messages prompt the recipients to transfer a “visa processing fee” as a prerequisite for obtaining a “guaranteed” green card. The messages are sometimes sent to people who never participated in the lottery and can look trustworthy as they contain the recipient’s exact name and contact details and what appears to be a legal notice.
A green card, which is issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), lets you live and work in the United States on a permanent basis. While there are several avenues to getting a green card, including through family, employment, or status as a refugee or asylee, not everyone qualifies.
Even if you do qualify, wait times under certain family or job status categories can be as long as 20 years. If you do not qualify—or if you want to “roll the dice” while waiting—the Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program popularly known as the green card lottery might be for you.
How to Prepare for the Green Card Interview
The best way to prepare for a USCIS green card interview is by gathering all the required green card interview documents and reviewing all the information provided in your application. When preparing for a green card interview, you can also go over the types of questions that are commonly asked for your type of green card.
You can help your cause further by bringing additional supporting evidence confirming your permanent residency eligibility. Anything you have that backs up your right to obtain a green card can improve your chances of being granted permanent residency.
Green Card Through Refugee Status
If you have experienced persecution or fear persecution in your home country because of your race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or affiliation with a particular social group, you can seek refuge in the United States by applying for a refugee visa. If refugee status is granted, you can come to the United States and, after one year, apply for a green card.
You will apply for a green card through refugee status by submitting Form I-485. You will then go through fingerprinting and biometric screening. The fees for filing and biometrics are waived for refugees. After that, you will have your interview with a USCIS officer.
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The USA Green Card Lottery is a lottery run by the U.S. State Department that gives 50,000 random people a chance to get a permanent resident visa in the U.S. To enter the lottery, you’ll need to be from an eligible country and either have a high school education or 2 years of experience in a field that requires 2 years of training. If you meet the qualifications, fill out the application on dvlottery.state.gov and submit photos of yourself and anyone else listed on your application. If you’re selected, you’ll need to apply for a visa within the designated timeframe. To learn how to check your lottery status, keep reading!
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History of the Green Card
For much of the history of the United States, immigration into the country was unregulated. Eventually, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) was created in 1933 as a division of the Department of Labor. In 1940, the INS was moved out of the Department of Labor and into the Department of Justice.
In the ‘40s, the Alien Registration Receipt Card was awarded to applicants seeking permanent residence in the United States. The Alien Registration Receipt Card was the predecessor of the Permanent Resident card that exists today. The original Alien Registration Receipt Card was bright green, which is why people began referring to it as a green card.
In 1977, the name of the green card was officially changed from an Alien Registration Receipt Card to a Resident Alien Card. Then, in 1997, the name was changed again, to the current Permanent Resident Card. In 2003, the INS has renamed the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which is the current issuer of green cards.
The history of the green card is ever-evolving. Many other changes have been made to the card over the years. While some were minor, including changing the color of the card for some years, most were done to increase the security of this identification card.
Green Card Interview Questions
The specific questions you are asked in your green card interview will depend on the type of green card you are applying for, along with your personal situation and the discretion of the USCIS officer. While it is impossible to know exactly what you will be asked, you can prepare for common questions posed in a green card interview.
Marriage-Based Green Card Interview Questions
When attending a marriage green card interview, you can expect to be asked a lot of questions about your marriage to determine its legitimacy. You will be asked questions regarding how you met, your relationship, your wedding, your friends and family, and your and your spouse’s education and employment history.
See Also: The Current Timeline of Marriage Green Card
The questions asked in these interviews can be personal and prying. Some of the commonly asked questions in a marriage-based green card interview include:
Employment-Based Green Card Interview Questions
Employment-based green card interview questions are far less intensive than marriage interview questions. Questions for this type of green card are simply meant to establish that the information you provided in your application is accurate.
Some common questions asked in a green card interview include:
You may also be asked several questions about your biographical information included in your green card application. Additionally, if your role at work changes from what was originally listed in your application, you will be asked questions about your new job to see if it still qualifies.
Family-Based Green Card Interview Questions
Family-based green card interview questions can be quite varied. They will largely depend on how you are related to your sponsor as well as any potential issues that could affect your legal status to become a permanent resident. Questions will be asked about:
Refugee Green Card Interview Questions
While your refugee green card interview will not be nearly as intensive as in your original refugee visa application, you may still be asked some of the questions you were asked at that interview. These questions may include:
Asylum Green Card Interview Questions
The questions that will be asked in an asylum green card interview are likely to be the same type you would be asked in a refugee interview.
Special Immigrant Green Card Interview Questions
You could be asked a wide array of questions when applying for a special immigrant green card. Be prepared for questions on several different topics. You can expect questions about any and all members of your family and your relationship with them. The immigration officer will also ask about your history in your home country, including your educational background.
You will also be asked about your work history, particularly the work you did for the U.S. that made you eligible for a special immigrant visa. The officer will also likely ask questions about anywhere you have traveled and lived. Additionally, they could ask questions about any phone numbers, email addresses, or social media accounts you have used.
If you have applied to immigrate to the United States in the past, you can also expect to be asked questions about that application.
Green Card Through Special Immigrant Status
The specific process varies slightly for special immigrants depending on their particular status. However, generally speaking, they will need a sponsor to file paperwork supporting their permanent residency.
Afterward, the applicant can submit Form I-485 or Form DS-260, depending on whether or not they are in the country. They will then have biometrics taken and have a one-on-one interview before potential approval of their application for permanent residence.
Winning a Diversity Visa
Winning the green card lottery does not result in your automatically getting a green card in the mail. If you are lucky enough to win, all it means is that you may have won the opportunity to apply for a green card.
You can find out if you are a lottery winner on or after May 8 by going to the DV Entrant Status Check link online. If you have won, you will be directed from there to a confirmation page with further instructions.
As roughly 125,000 names are drawn, with only 50,000 eligible to actually receive a green card, everyone whose name is drawn is put on a waiting list and given a number. If your waiting list number is high, and there are 50,000 people ahead of you who have also successfully completed their paperwork, you won’t get a chance to apply, let alone receive a green card.
Currently Living in the U.
You will then likely go through biometric screening and have an interview with a consular or USCIS officer.
Some of the other categories for obtaining a U.S. green card include applying:
Rights and responsibilities of a lawful permanent resident
Those receiving a green card through a new marriage or as an investor will instead be granted a conditional green card the first time they apply. As the name suggests, certain conditions must be met before a permanent green card can be issued.
A conditional green card is valid for two years, and once that period has expired, permanent residency gets revoked, and the holder is subject to deportation. However, this is avoided if they have filed to have the conditional status of the permanent residency removed. This application must be submitted up to 90 days before the conditional green card expires.
Marriage-based conditional green card holders will need to file Form I-751: Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. Investment-based conditional green card holders must file Form I-829: Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions. Once the application is filed, permanent residency will be extended in one-year intervals until the request is approved or denied.
See Also: How to Remove Conditions on Green Card
When to Register
The online registration period for the DV Program typically runs between early October and November each year. You should register as early as possible once it opens. If you wait until the end of the sign-up period, you could miss out due to heavy website traffic. Late entries will not be accepted.
Permanent Green Card
As mentioned, most green card applicants will receive a permanent green card the first time they apply. This green card is good for ten years and can be renewed indefinitely. However, a permanent green card can still be revoked if you violate certain conditions of your residency.
Applying for citizenship when you become eligible can help protect your right to remain in the country. Only very rare circumstances can empower the government to revoke citizenship once it has been attained.
A Step on the Path to U. Citizenship
Getting a green card can provide you with many rights and benefits. For some people, permanent residency is an end goal, while for others, it is a significant and necessary step on the path to becoming a U.S. citizen.
Whether looking to become a citizen or simply stay in the country as a lawful permanent resident, an immigration solutions company like ImmigrationDirect can help. We can provide you with the resources you need to ensure that your green card application gets filed correctly and make sure that you are ready for your green card interview.
Types of Green Cards
There are two main types of green cards. Most people who receive permanent residency are granted a permanent green card. However, the first card that some applicants receive will be a conditional green card.
Green Card Through the Diversity Visa Program
Under the Diversity Visa Program, up to 50,000 can immigrate to the United States and receive a green card each year. Anyone in a country with low immigration numbers to the United States can apply to get a green card through the Diversity Visa Program, and winners are chosen by lottery.
Entry into the Diversity Visa Program is free. However, those selected will have to pay the necessary fees to proceed with their immigration.
Applicants must first pay the Diversity Visa fee, then, they will either file Form DS-260 if outside the United States or Form I-485 if within the country. Next, biometrics will be taken, and you will have an interview with an immigration officer.
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Because applying for the green card lottery is free, even if you are “in line” waiting for your green card through another avenue, you may want to consider applying for the lottery, just in case.
Increasing Your Diversity Visa Odds
Even though you are entering a random drawing, there are a couple of legitimate (and free) things you can do to increase your chances of winning. Both you and your spouse—if both are eligible—should apply. This gives you two chances to win, as opposed to one. If one of you wins, the other can ignore his or her application and enter as a derivative spouse.
As there is no limit on the number of eligible members of the same family that may apply, your children should also enter if they meet the educational or work experience requirements. You should note that if one of them wins, they will not be able to bring you to the U.S. immediately, but will be able to start a process that could get you there eventually.
Visa-free travel for U. permanent residents
Before registering for the green card lottery, you should determine if you are eligible. You must be eligible by country as well as by education or work experience.
Diversity visas go to natives of selected countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States in six geographic regions Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and the Southern Americas (including South America, Central America, and the Caribbean nations). The list of countries is subject to change each year and appears on the Diversity Visa entry instructions.
If you were not born in an eligible country, you may still qualify for the DV program if your spouse was born in an eligible country, both of you are named on the same entry, and both of you intend to enter the U.S. at the same time.
Also, if you were born in an ineligible country—but neither of your parents was born in or legal residents of that country at the time of your birth—you may still qualify, assuming one of your parents was born in an eligible country.
Education or Work Experience
In addition to eligibility based on country of birth, you must also meet certain education or work experience requirements in order to register for the green card lottery. Basically, this means that you must have a high school education (or equivalent) or two years’ experience within the past five years in a qualifying occupation.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s O*Net Online database can be used to determine if your work experience is sufficient.
Who Can You Bring to Your Interview?
Green card applicants who are not fluent in English can bring an interpreter with them to their interview. The interpreter can be a family member or friend rather than a paid interpreter. However, they must be fluent in both English and your native tongue so that they can translate what is said word for word.
Your interpreter must also present their government-issued ID and complete the interpreter’s oath and sign a privacy release statement. You may also bring a lawyer with you if you have any prior legal or immigration-related issues on your record.
For some types of green card applications, you may be required to bring family members along, such as your spouse, when applying for a marriage-based green card.
Types of Green Card Interviews
While the general outline of the green card interview will remain the same no matter what type of green card you are applying for, the specific can vary. Let’s take a more in-depth look at the different interviews for a green card.
The main purpose of a marriage-based green card interview is to ensure that the marriage is valid and not just a means of working the system so that the immigrant spouse can remain in the United States and enjoy the benefits of a permanent resident.
A marriage-based green card is the easiest green card to obtain, and the process is fast-tracked, which makes this a desirable path for those looking to become permanent residents.
Because of this, marriage-based green cards are highly scrutinized. If the USCIS officer suspects that you entered into the marriage solely to get a green card, you must attend a second interview.
This second interview is called a stokes interview. In this interview, the two spouses will be separated and asked questions about their relationship separately. If the answers don’t match up, USCIS may deny your green card application and begin deportation proceedings.
In an employment-based green card interview, you will be asked questions related to your position in the company, education, and personal history. You typically won’t be asked nearly as many questions as those applying for a marriage-based green card, and your answers won’t be scrutinized as closely.
Your documentation proving your employment is far more important in these applications than the questions asked by the USCIS officer. However, if your answers to these questions do not match up with the information you provided, your application could still be denied.
While a marriage-based green card is a type of family-based green card, other family members can also obtain a green card using this method. When parents, siblings, or children apply for a family-based green card, the interview process is not nearly as intensive as a marriage-based green card interview.
The family green card interview is to establish the relationship between the sponsor and the permanent residency applicant. You will have to prove that you are related but will not need to show that you have a deep relationship, like with a spouse. This is because a relationship with a parent, sibling, or child is established at birth.
In a refugee green card interview, the USCIS officer will review your case to ensure that you still qualify to be in the country as a refugee.
You will not have to prove your case like when you first applied to come to the country as a refugee. However, if new evidence is uncovered that shows that you obtained your refugee status fraudulently, your application will be denied and deportation proceedings will begin.
Alternatively, if conditions change in your home country and it is determined that it is safe for you to return, your green card application will be denied.
See complete information about “Refugee Green Card & its benefits“.
The asylum green card interview process is the same as the process for refugees. Both asylees and refugees are exempt from being found inadmissible on some grounds that apply to other non-citizens. If an asylum seeker is a public charge or entered the U.S. without the proper documentation, they can not be found inadmissible.
However, the USCIS officer will review your case for other grounds that could cause your green card application to be denied. These include health, criminal, and security-related concerns.
See complete information about “Asylum Green Card & its benefits“.
Special immigrant visas get awarded to foreign nationals who have aided the United States abroad. When you attend a special immigrant green card interview, you should have supporting documents showing your qualifying work to assist the U.S. government.
You should also be prepared to answer questions about your family and your work history that qualified you for a special immigrant visa. They will also likely ask many questions about your personal history to assess whether you have any connections to any individuals or groups that are deemed to be threats to national security.
Reading a permanent resident card
1–6: birth date (in YYMMDD format)
7: check digit over digits 1–6
8: gender
9–14: expiration date (in YYMMDD format)
15: check digit over digits 9–14
16–29: country of birth
30: cumulative check digit (over digits 6–30 (upper line), 1–7, 9–15, 19–29 (lower line))
To renew your green card, start the process at least 6 months before your card expires by going online to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services website and completing form I-90. Alternatively, you can call to get a paper form mailed to you, and fill that out. If you file for renewal online, you’ll have to submit an electronic copy of your expiring green card and pay the $540 fee with a credit card. For renewal by mail, you’ll need to submit a photocopy of your green card along with a personal check, cashier’s check, or money order to cover the fee. To learn how to read the notification of receipt you’ll be sent after you file and what to do next, scroll down!
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Different Ways to Get a Green Card
There are many paths you can take to get a green card. The circumstances under which you come to the country will dictate what permanent residency path to take.
See Also: Form I-864: Affidavit of Support, Requirements of sponsoring your permanent residency
Green Card Through Family
Green card through family member is the most common paths to become U.S. green card holder. You can apply for a green card as:
Recommended Reading: How to Get Green Card for Parents & Siblings
Green Card Through Marriage
When obtaining a green card through marriage, it is critical that the marriage is legitimate and not carried out solely for the purpose of immigration. If you married shortly before applying for a green card, you can expect immigration to thoroughly investigate your marriage to ensure that the relationship is real.
Green Card Through Employment
Green card through employment is an another common way of getting a US green card. The ability to immigrate to the United States and obtain a green card varies depending on your skill level, educational background, and the field in which you work.
First Preference Immigrant Worker
You can also get an employment-based green card as an immigrant investor, spending money to create jobs in the country.
Green Card as a Special Immigrant
There are several other categories of U.S. immigrants who can apply for a green card. You can get permanent residency if you are a special immigrant, such as a(n):
Green Card Through Refugee or Asylee Status
Another path toward getting a green card is through refugee or asylee status. As a refugee, you will be eligible to apply for a green card one year after you arrive in the country a refugee. As an asylee, eligibility begins a year after you are granted asylum.
Green Card for Human Trafficking and Crime Victims
If you were a victim of human trafficking, you can apply for a green card after receiving a T nonimmigrant visa as a victim of human trafficking. Victims of other crimes involving mental or physical abuse can apply for a green card after receiving a U nonimmigrant visa.
Green Card for Victims of Abuse
Abuse victims may also get a green card in certain situations. An abused spouse or unmarried child under the age of 21 of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident can apply for a green card. Additionally, an abused parent of a U.S. citizen may apply as well. These applicants apply under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) as self-petitioner.
A child may apply for permanent residency if they have been abused, abandoned, or neglected and have Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status.
Immigrant victims of abuse from certain countries can obtain a green card as well. An abused spouse or child of a Cuban native or citizen can apply under the Cuban Adjustment Act. Additionally, an abused spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident who received a green card through the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (HRIFA) can apply for a green card.
Green Card Through Registry
The registry is a special immigration law that allows people who have held a continuous residency in the United States dating back to January 1st, 1972, or earlier to apply for a green card, even if they are in the country unlawfully.
The Diversity Visa Program allows up to 50,000 people to immigrate to the United States and receive a green card each year. Applicants are chosen by lottery from countries with low immigration numbers to the United States.
There are a variety of other less common ways for people to immigrate to the United States and receive a green card. Some of the other options for immigration include:
Get Help With Your U. Green Card Application Today
Applying for a U.S. green card can often be a long and stressful process. Unfortunately, many factors in the application process are out of your control. However, that makes it even more important to do everything you can to take control of the things you can. An immigration solutions company can help you ensure that your application gets filed correctly.
Mistakes on a green card application can lead to significant delays. By filing everything right from the start, you won’t add any unnecessary time to the processing of your green card application. At ImmigrationDirect, we provide you with the tools you need to fill out your application forms correctly and ensure that you don’t miss any filing deadlines.
A green card can open up many opportunities, including clearing your path toward U.S. citizenship. After you have received your green card and are beginning to approach your eligibility date for citizenship, we can also help you through this process. Don’t hesitate to get started on the path to your new life today.
How Long Will It Take to Get a Green Card?
The amount of time it takes to get a green card can vary depending on the route you are taking to obtain your permanent residency. Let’s take a closer look at some of the possible wait times for various green card applications.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Green Card Through Family?
The wait time for getting a green card through a family member can vary dramatically depending on your relationship with the sponsoring family member and their residency status. For an immediate family member of a U.S. citizen, like a spouse, an unmarried child under the age of 21, or a parent, wait times range from six to 18 months.
For immediate family members of permanent residents, wait times can range from 11 months to over four years.
Meanwhile, for all other family members, the wait time is likely going to be much longer. In some cases, it can take as many as 10 years to get a green card as a family member of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Furthermore, family members with Filipino or Mexican citizenship can wait over 20 years for a green card.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Green Card Through Marriage?
In most cases, getting a green card through marriage will take between six and 18 months if your spouse is a U.S. citizen. However, extra time can be added if you are living in the United States while your application is being processed.
For spouses of lawful permanent residents, the waiting period can be over four years.
See Also: Check the exact timeline of Marriage Green Card
How Long Does It Take to Get a Green Card Through Employment?
The wait time for an employment-based green card depends on the popularity of the employment category under which you are applying. In some cases, it can take less than a year to receive a green card. However, if applying under a popular category, you may have to wait as many as six years for acceptance of your application.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Green Card as a Special Immigrant?
The wait times for a green card as a special immigrant can vary significantly depending on your specific status. However, generally speaking, you will likely be looking at a wait of around one year up to five years. Of course, in some complicated cases, the wait time can be even longer.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Green Card Through Refugee or Asylee Status?
Wait times for refugees or asylees seeking green cards typically vary from eight months to two years depending on the backlog of refugee and asylum seekers and the immigration office where the application is filed.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Green Card for Human Trafficking and Crime Victims?
Victims of human trafficking and other select crimes become eligible to apply for a green card after three years of continuous residency in the United States. After that, the application can take another three years or more before they receive their green card.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Green Card for Victims of Abuse?
The wait times for victims of abuse to get a green card will depend on the program through which they are applying. Obtaining a green card for a victim of abuse will likely take somewhere between two and five years.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Green Card Through Registry?
As the Registry law currently stands, applicants can likely wait less than a year to receive their green card because there are very few people applying for a green card under this category. The reason for this is that the date for continuous residency is over 50 years ago, leaving very few eligible applicants in the country.
However, if the date for the registry changes and moves into the 21st century, many previously ineligible immigrants will be able to apply, and wait times will likely rise.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Green Card Through the Diversity Visa Program?
If selected in the lottery under the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, you likely won’t have to wait as long for your green card as applicants in many other categories. In most cases, you can receive a green card through the Diversity Visa Program in one to three years.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Green Card Through Other Categories?
The amount of time it takes to get a green card through other categories can vary wildly. Depending on the specific path towards permanent residency, you could be looking at as little as one year, all the way up to 10+ years.
Cost to Get a Green Card
In most situations, getting a green card can be quite expensive. The exact cost to get a green card will vary depending on the path you are taking to permanent residency.
Cost to Get a Green Card Through Family
Getting a green card through a family member comes with several costs. Your family member must file Form I-130: Petition for Alien Relative, which costs $535. Meanwhile, you must submit Form I-485: Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, which costs $1,140. You must also have to pay $85 for your biometrics exam fee in most cases.
If you are getting your green card through consular processing, it will cost another $300 to $350. To improve your chances of getting your green card approved and speed the process along, you might also want to hire an immigration lawyer who will likely charge thousands of dollars. All told, you will probably pay between $2,000 and $7,500 for your initial green card.
Cost to Get a Green Card Through Marriage
The same forms will need to be filed to receive your green card through marriage as through any other familial relationship. When applying for a marriage-based green card, you will pay $1,760 in fees plus potential additional expenses such as hiring an attorney and translation services.
Cost to Get a Green Card Through Employment
Some of the costs associated with an employment-based green card will be paid by you, while others will be paid by your employer. For first preference immigrant workers, your employer will pay the Form I-140: Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers fee of $700. For a second or third preference immigrant worker, your employer will also pay $3,000-$4,000 for Labor Certification.
Meanwhile, you will pay $1,140 for Form I-485: Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, along with $325 for the Immigrant Visa Application, $85 for Biometrics services, and $220 for the USCIS Immigrant Fee. The total of all your expenses will be $1,770.
Immigrant investors will have to pay the same $1,770 as immigrant workers. However, they will also have to pay $3,675 for the processing of Form I-526: Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor.
Cost to Get a Green Card as a Special Immigrant
The costs for a green card as a special immigrant vary depending on the specific category under which you are applying. However, you can generally expect to pay at least as much as a family or employment-based green card.
Many special immigrants will have to file Form I-360: Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, which has a fee of $435 in addition to Form I-485.
Cost to Get a Green Card Through Refugee or Asylee Status
Refugees and asylum seekers will generally have to pay $1,140 for the processing of Form I-485, along with $85 for biometrics for those between the ages of 14 and 79. However, if you can not afford these costs, you can submit an application to have the fees waived.
Cost to Get a Green Card for Human Trafficking and Crime Victims
When applying for a green card for human trafficking and crime victims you will have to pay the costs of $1,140 for Form I-485 and the $85 biometrics fee, if applicable. However, like refugees and asylum seekers, it is possible to apply to have these fees waived.
Cost to Get a Green Card for Victims of Abuse
Abuse victims can file Form I-360 for free. Like refugees, asylees, and victims of human trafficking and other select crimes, you can apply for a waiver of the fees for Form I-485 when applying for a green card for victims of abuse.
Cost to Get a Green Card Through Registry
Those who apply for a green card through the registry will have to file Form I-485 and pay the filing fee of $1,140.
Cost to Get a Green Card Through the Diversity Visa Program
Entering the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program lottery is free. However, those selected in the lottery will have to pay $330 for the Diversity Visa fee. Applicants outside of the U.S. will pay an additional $325 to file Form DS-260, while applicants already in the country on a temporary visa will pay $1,140 to file Form I-485 to adjust their status.
Cost to Get a Green Card Through Other Categories
The cost to get a green card for applicants in other categories can vary significantly. Some of these applicants may be able to get their fees waived, like refugees and asylum seekers, while others will pay up to thousands of dollars for their application and additional costs if they hire an attorney to help them with the process.
Speak with an immigration lawyer or immigration solutions company to get a better understanding of how much it will cost for your specific green card application.
Recent Developments in Processing and Issuing Green Cards
USCIS has recently taken steps to address the backlog issue and improve the processing and issuing of green cards. In March of 2022, the agency announced three separate initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce the burden on the immigration system.
One of these initiatives is to reduce processing times and shrink the backlog by increasing capacity, improving technology, and expanding staffing. The goal is to reduce processing times to the new target by the end of the 2023 fiscal year.
Another step to reduce the backlog is increasing the forms that qualify for premium processing. In addition to the current expedited processing of Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker and certain cases involving Form I-140: Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, USCIS will now offer expedited processing for Form I-539, I-765, and more I-140 applications.
Another step being taken is extending the validity periods for certain employment authorization documents as well as providing expedited work authorization renewals for healthcare and childcare workers.
Obtaining a green card through employment is another common path that people take to permanent residence. The difficulty of obtaining an employment-based green card will vary depending on your experience, education, and skill level, as well as the industry in which you work.
Workers who possess extraordinary ability in the fields of art, science, athletics, education, and business have first preference. Also in this category are outstanding professors and researchers, as well as multinational managers or executives.
Second preference workers must work in a profession that requires an advanced degree or display exceptional ability in the arts, sciences, or business. Meanwhile, third preference workers perform skilled or unskilled labor and can work in a profession that requires education up to a bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent.
When applying for an employment-based green card, your employer will submit Form I-140: Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers and pay the associated fee, as well as paying the fee for Labor Certification, if necessary. Meanwhile, you will have to go through consular processing or submit Form I-485. Investors can also get this type of green card by creating U.S.-based jobs.
Steps After the Green Card Interview
After your green card interview, there are three possible answers you could receive from USCIS. These outcomes are:
A request for additional evidence could mean a second interview or simply the submission of additional documents for USCIS to review. If extra evidence is requested, USCIS will inform you of how to provide that evidence. If your application gets denied, you may be able to appeal the decision or reapply from the beginning, depending on the reason for the denial.
If your permanent residency is approved, all you need to do is wait for your green card to arrive in the mail.
At the close of the 2021 fiscal year, which ended September 30th, 2021, there were more than nine million green card applicants in the processing backlog. Approximately 7.5 million of these applications were for family-based green cards, while about 1.6 million were for employment-based green cards.
Green card processing times continue to increase as the backlog continues to grow. Many potential reforms to green card processing have been proposed to speed up the process. However, as with most things in government, implementing change is a long process.
Get Help Applying for a U. Green Card Today
At ImmigrationDirect, we provide our clients with all the resources they need to get a green card through whichever path they take. The road to permanent residency can be long and costly. However, the benefits of becoming a permanent resident in the United States are worth the battle. One of these perks is that getting a green card is a necessary step on the path to U.S. citizenship.
Receiving citizenship through naturalization will grant you the full rights of native-born U.S. citizens. If you plan to remain in the United States for an extended period, citizenship might be the right choice for you. We can help you not only with the process of becoming a permanent resident but also guide you through the steps to becoming a United States citizen.
Tips for Your Green Card Interview
When attending your green card interview, there are steps you can take to help avoid potential issues and increase your chances of getting your green card application approved. Some things you should do before and during your interview include:
Conditional permanent residents
As part of immigration reform under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), as well as further reform enacted in the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA), eligible persons who properly apply for permanent residency based on either a recent marriage to a U.S. citizen or as an investor are granted such privilege only on a conditional basis, for two years. An exception to this rule is the case of a U.S. citizen legally sponsoring a spouse in which the marriage at the time of the adjustment of status (I-485) is more than two years old. In this case, the conditional status is waived and a 10-year “permanent resident card” is issued after the USCIS approves the case. A permanent resident under the conditional clause may receive an I-551 stamp as well as a permanent resident card. The expiration date of the conditional period is two years from the approval date. The immigrant visa category is CR (conditional resident).
The applicant receives an I-551 stamp in their foreign passport upon approval of their case. The applicant is then free from the conditional requirement once the application is approved. The applicant’s new permanent resident card arrives via mail to their house several weeks to several months later and replaces the old two-year conditional residence card. The new card must be renewed after 10 years, but permanent resident status is now granted for an indefinite term if residence conditions are satisfied at all times. The USCIS may request to renew the card earlier because of security enhancements of the card or as a part of a revalidation campaign to exclude counterfeit green cards from circulation.
The two-year conditional residence period counts toward satisfying a residency requirement for U.S. naturalization, and other purposes. Application for the removal of conditions must be adjudicated before a separate naturalization application could be reviewed by the USCIS on its own merits.
Differences between permanent residents and conditional permanent residents
For all types of green cards, the government filing cost starts from $535 to $2000. This range of green card fee varies for different categories and location. Apart from this there is fee for the medical exam, biometrics etc.,
Abandonment or loss of permanent residence status
If the green card is not relinquished, then the holder is subject to double taxation when living or working outside of the United States, whether or not within their home nation, although double taxation may be mitigated by foreign tax credits.
Obtaining a family-based green card is one of the most common paths taken toward immigration to the United States. You can qualify for a family-based green card through several different familial relationships. The closer your relationship to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, the quicker and easier the process of obtaining permanent residency will be.
To begin the process of getting a green card through family, the sponsoring relative must file Form I-130: Petition for Alien Relative, as well as provide proof of their status as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and proof of your familial relationship.
Meanwhile, if you are outside of the United States, you will have to go through consular processing. Once the submitted Form I-130 has been approved, it will be sent to the embassy or consulate in the country where you reside. You must submit Form DS-260: Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration and have a one-on-one interview with a consular officer.
If you are already in the U.S., you need to file Form I-485: Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status with the USCIS. This form can be submitted simultaneously with Form I-130 if you are an immediate relative and must be submitted along with the required documents. You will then go through biometrics screening and an interview with a USCIS officer.
Does Everyone Get an Interview for a Green Card?
While the majority of green card applicants are required to attend an interview, for some, the green card interview will be waived.
When an applicant is clearly not eligible to receive a green card, USCIS rejects applications for green cards without conducting an interview.
Alternatively, some applicants qualify to skip the interview process and receive their green card without one. However, USCIS has the right to interview anyone even if they qualify for an exemption. Always prepare for a green card interview, even if you don’t ultimately end up attending one.
Benefits of a Green Card
A green card grants many rights and benefits to the owner. The primary right imparted on a green card holder is indicated by its official name of Permanent Resident Card. As implied, this card signifies that the holder has the right to remain in the country on a permanent basis as long as they do not commit any acts that would make them removable under immigration law.
Additional benefits of a green card include granting the permanent resident the right to:
Furthermore, the government can not revoke citizenship except in very specific and rare cases. That means that your residency in the United States will be protected. And unlike with green card holders, you will never need to reapply for the extension of this right.
When Will You Have a Green Card Interview?
Your green card interview is one of the final steps in the process of becoming a permanent resident. How long you will have to wait after submitting your application to adjust your status depends on many factors. When your application has been processed, USCIS will contact you to notify you of your interview date and time.
What Will They Ask at Your Green Card Interview?
The specific green card interview questions you will be asked vary based both on the type of green card you are applying for and your particular circumstances. There is not a set list of required questions that a USCIS officer must ask. Instead, they will review your case and ask relevant questions to determine whether or not you are eligible for permanent residency.
Where and How to Register
It’s important that you read the instructions carefully, noting all required documentation including your passport number, photos, and so forth. The U.S. State Department video tutorial on registering for the green card lottery explains the steps as well.
What Are Your Chances?
The DV program issues 50,000 immigrant visas annually, based on the results of a random drawing. The visas are apportioned among countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S.
For fiscal year 2021, the most recent figures available, more than 11.8 million people applied to the green card lottery. The first 50,000 to register, after notification, were the “winners” for that year. The reason for drawing more than 50,000 names is that not everyone selected will start the green-card application process, and some who do will not complete it.
Key Takeaways
The process for obtaining a green card can vary dramatically depending on the path you are taking to achieve permanent resident status. No matter what road you are taking, you can expect the process to be a lengthy one, and in most cases, getting a green card will not come cheap.
While USCIS is constantly working to improve processing times and get applicants their green cards quicker, the wheels of the government turn slowly. That coupled with the fact that the number of green card applications continues to grow with each passing year means that you will likely have to be very patient when applying for a green card.
Let’s take a more thorough look at some of the different paths available to obtaining permanent residency and getting your green card.
Documents Required for Green Card Interview
When attending your green card interview, you are required to bring several documents along, including:
For an employment-based green card, you need to include an updated letter from your employer showing your employment and salary.
For a family-based green card, you will need proof of your relationship with your sponsor relative, including birth certificates, adoption papers, and photographs.
Green Card Through Asylee Status
The process for getting a green card through asylee status is much the same as for a refugee. The only real difference is that refugees apply for their initial refugee status while abroad, whereas asylees apply while already in the country.
Green Card Interview Process
When filing Form I-485: Adjustment of Status or going through consular processing, you may be required to attend an interview before your adjustment of status gets approved and you become a permanent resident. A typical green card interview should take around 15 minutes. Once your interview has been scheduled, you should begin to prepare for the interview itself.
See Also: What happens after filing the form I-485.
Before attending your green card interview, you should:
When you attend your interview, you should arrive at least 15 minutes early and make sure to dress appropriately. Avoid ragged clothing, flashy jewelry, and clothing displaying controversial pictures and slogans.
At the interview, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officer will verify that all your documents are valid and that you are eligible for permanent residency. You will be asked to take an oath to speak the truth, and the officer will then ask you questions about your case to confirm the information presented in your application.
How Much Time Will It Take to Get a Green Card?
The processing time for getting a green card can vary wildly depending on the path you are taking to obtain your permanent residency. Even the quickest road to a green card is going to take at least six months, while in some extreme cases, it can take upwards of 20 years to receive a green card.
Applying From Inside the U.
The current wait time for spouses and immediate family members (parents and minor children) of U.S. citizens applying through adjustment of status takes in months. The wait time can be significantly longer, usually two years or more, for spouses of US green card holders, and other relatives of U.S. Citizen, and green cards obtained through employment.
Applying From Outside the U.
The current wait time for spouses and immediate family members (parents and minor children) of U.S. citizens applying through consular processing takes in months. The wait time for spouses of green card holders from outside the U.S. also takes in months to complete. Rest green card wait time depends on the country caps and varies accordingly.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Green Card After the Interview?
If you were in the country when applying for your green card and submitted Form I-485: Adjustment of Status, you should receive your green card within 30 days of receiving your approval notice.
If you applied for a green card while outside of the country, through consular processing, you should get your green card within 45 days of your arrival in the United States.