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

In order to become a United States permanent resident, or "green card" holder, in Virginia you must meet certain requirements set by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The most common ways are to be sponsored by an immediate family member who is already a U.S. citizen, to obtain an employment-based visa, and to enter through a diversity lottery. If you are sponsored by an immediate family member, your relative must file a petition (form I-130) with the USCIS. The petition will need to include evidence of your relationship to the family member and proof of their U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence. If you are obtaining an employment-based visa, you must have a job offer from a U.S. employer who has filed form I-140, the Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, on your behalf. The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program or DV Lottery is a U.S. government program which allows up to 50,000 people annually to receive a green card. To be eligible, you must meet certain requirements which vary depending on the year. The program is administered by the Department of State and the application process is done online. Finally, once you have obtained a visa you must enter the United States and then apply for a green card by filing form I-485, the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, with the USCIS. Once you have received your green card, you are eligible to become a U.S. permanent resident.

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Para convertirse en residente permanente de los Estados Unidos (también conocido como "tarjeta verde"), una persona debe obtener una visa de inmigración permanente de una embajada estadounidense, o ser aceptada en un programa de inmigración por el gobierno de los Estados Unidos. Cada visa de inmigración permanente tiene su propio requisito de elegibilidad. Los motivos más comunes para solicitar una visa de inmigración permanente incluyen el empleo, la familia o la inversión. Las visas de inmigración de empleo se otorgan a personas calificadas para empleos específicos. Las visas de inmigración familiar se otorgan a ciertos parientes cercanos de ciudadanos o residentes permanentes de los Estados Unidos. Las visas de inmigración por inversión se otorgan a personas que tienen ciertos recursos financieros para invertir en los Estados Unidos. Si está interesado en obtener una visa de inmigración permanente, debe comenzar por completar el Formulario I-485. A continuación, deberá presentar una solicitud de visa apropiada a la embajada estadounidense o asistir a una entrevista con un oficial de inmigración. Si se le otorga la visa, deberá presentar la solicitud a una oficina de inmigración de los Estados Unidos. El oficial de inmigración decidirá si se le otorga la tarjeta verde y el estatus de residente permanente.

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