Is there any difference between a green card and a visa?

Yes, there is a difference between a green card and a visa. A green card, also known as a permanent resident card or Form I-551, is a document that gives a person the legal right to live permanently in the United States. It permits a foreign national to become a lawful permanent resident (LPR) and eventually become a United States citizen. A visa, on the other hand, is an endorsement from a foreign government that allows a person to enter a foreign country or to remain in a particular country for a specified period of time. Visas are issued in various types including tourist, business, student, and work visas. They generally are not a form of legal permanent residence, but in some cases, they may lead to permanent residence. In West Virginia, if you are a foreign national and married to a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident, you can apply for a green card through the immigration process. This process is called adjustment of status. After the adjustment of status, the foreign national is entitled to obtain a green card and live permanently in the United States. A visa is not required for this process.

THELAW.TV ofrece respuestas en español a todas las preguntas sobre la ley de inmigración.

Sí, hay diferencias entre una tarjeta verde y una visa. La tarjeta verde es un permiso de residencia permanente otorgado a los extranjeros por el gobierno de los Estados Unidos. Esto significa que la persona es autorizada a trabajar, estudiar y vivir permanentemente en los Estados Unidos. Por otro lado, una visa es un documento temporal que permite a un extranjero ingresar a los Estados Unidos con fines limitados, como visitar, estudiar o trabajar. Una visa también otorga a su titular el derecho a estadía temporal en los Estados Unidos. En el estado de Virginia Occidental, una visa de unión legal se puede otorgar a los extranjeros que buscan casarse con un ciudadano de los Estados Unidos. Esta visa se aplica a la persona extranjera y se otorga para que puedan venir a los Estados Unidos y casarse con su cónyuge. Una vez que se casen, el extranjero obtiene una tarjeta verde, que lo convierte en un residente permanente. La vida como residente permanente también le da a la persona extranjera los derechos de residencia, como trabajar y recibir beneficios.

Related FAQs

What is a “T visa” and how do I qualify?
Is there any special documentation I need to provide to prove my marriage is real?
Can I file for an Adjustment of Status if I am already in the U.S.?
If my spouse is a permanent resident, can I file for a marriage-based visa?
What are the requirements to become a U.S. citizen through marriage?
How do I apply for citizenship if I am a legal permanent resident?
Is there a deadline for filing a marriage-based visa application?
What documents do I need to provide to prove my identity when filing for a marriage-based visa?
How long does it take to process a marriage-based visa application?
Are there any special requirements for marrying a foreign national?

Related Blog Posts

Understanding the Legal Requirements for Immigration Marriage: What You Need to Know - July 31, 2023
What Happens After Getting Married for Immigration Purposes? - August 7, 2023
Immigration Law: How to Navigate the Marriage Visa Process - August 14, 2023
Immigration Marriage and the K-1 Fiancée Visa: What You Need to Know - August 21, 2023
Immigration Law: Requirements for Marriage-Based Green Cards - August 28, 2023