How do I become a U.S. permanent resident?

To become a permanent resident of the United States in South Carolina, the individual must first obtain lawful permanent residence status (green card). In most cases, an individual is eligible to apply if they have an approved job offer or a family member who is a U.S. citizen, or are an asylum seeker or refugee. Individuals can apply for a permanent resident visa either through a family petition, employment-based visa, diversity visa program, visa lottery, or special immigrant visa. To apply for a family-based visa, the applicant must be sponsored by a close relative who is already a U.S. citizen or resident. The close relative must file a petition for the applicant and then complete an application process with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Those applying for employment-based visas must have an employer in the United States who is willing to sponsor them. This employer must also complete a labor certification form, often known as a PERM. The applicant must then complete the I-140 form which is submitted to the USCIS. The Diversity Visa Program allocates 50,000 visas per year for those from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. To apply, applicants must complete the ‘Diversity Visa Lottery’ form which is issued annually. Finally, special immigrant visas are available for certain individuals with work experience or special qualifications. These applicants must have an approved petition for a special immigrant visa and then complete an application process with the USCIS. Once the appropriate forms have been filled out and submitted, and all requirements for a permanent resident visa have been met, the applicant will receive a decision from the USCIS on their status.

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Para convertirse en un residente permanente de los Estados Unidos, el primer paso es aplicar para la residencia permanente. Esto puede hacerse a través de un patrocinador de inmigrantes o la propia persona demandante. El proceso de solicitud es largo y requiere muchos trámites. En el caso de los patrocinadores, éstos deben presentar una petición de residencia permanente o Formulario I-130 en nombre del inmigrante. Si el inmigrante está solicitando la residencia permanente por sí mismo, deberán presentar un Formulario I-485, solicitud para registro de residencia permanente. Una vez que la solicitud ha sido presentada, el inmigrante debe seguir todas las instrucciones existentes. Esto incluye una entrevista con el Servicio de Inmigración y Ciudadanía de EE. UU. (USCIS) y la presentación de una prueba de inmunización. Si el inmigrante es aprobado para la residencia permanente, éste recibirá su tarjeta de residencia permanente (también conocida como Green Card). Esta tarjeta permitirá al inmigrante convertirse en un ciudadano americano y recibir los beneficios de la ley de inmigración, como el derecho a trabajar y aun un pasaporte estadounidense. Además, la tarjeta también servirá como prueba de residencia permanente y residencia en los Estados Unidos.

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