If you plan to move to the United States for many years or forever, then you will need a permanent residence permit - a green card. This is an official immigration document that allows a foreigner to remain in the United States and work, although a work permit will have to be obtained separately.
You will need
- - a package of documents proving your identity, education and status;
- - photos for documents;
- - contact addresses and telephone numbers of the US Embassy and the US Department of Immigration.
Instruction manual
1
You can get a green card in several ways: political asylum, investment in the economy, marriage with a US citizen, an invitation from an employer with a job, and even a lottery. Choose the most suitable for you and start collecting documents.
2
The easiest way is an annual lottery. If you decide to rely on chance, go to the official website of the lottery at www.dvlottery.state.gov and fill out the form. First make sure that you meet the requirements: you are over 18 years old and you have at least a secondary education. You can apply for participation only once a year, in October. Keep in mind that this lottery is absolutely free, and do not trust the offers of scammers to pay even some small money. You can see the results of the draw on the same site.
3
If you plan to get a green card as a result of marriage with an American, keep in mind that in this case you need a US citizen, and not just a holder of a residence permit. When submitting documents to the embassy, be prepared to provide documentary evidence of your life together: photographs, statements from general accounts, joint credit cards, etc. Do not be surprised if embassy staff arrange a real interrogation with all the details regarding your family life. Moreover, in this case, you will receive your first green card only for a period of two years.
4
If you have high professional qualifications, try to find an American employer who will be ready to hire you and complete all the necessary documents. In this case, the main bureaucratic procedures will fall on the receiving side, that is, on your future boss. But you yourself must prepare documents on education, on the confirmation of your qualifications, internships and work experience.
5
Getting a green card as a political refugee can be very difficult, but there are still some chances. To do this, you must gather evidence that in your country you are being persecuted and pressured for political, religious or ethnic reasons. Please note that all cases of harassment that you refer to must be documented and confirmed by witnesses.
Useful advice
If you do not plan to emigrate to the United States as a highly qualified professional, they will not officially require you to pass an English proficiency test. However, if you can communicate with the employees of the American Embassy in English, this will make a positive impression and will give you extra points when deciding whether to provide you with a green card.
