What is the timeline for acquiring a green card?

Generally speaking, the timeline for acquiring a green card in South Carolina is similar to most other states. Potential immigrants must first file an application for permanent residence in the United States. This is usually done by filling out and submitting a form such as Form I-130 (family-based petitions) or Form I-140 (employment-based petitions). Once the application is approved, the applicant will receive a notice of approval, known as an I-797 approval notice, that explains when and how to proceed. Applicants must then submit a complete set of additional forms and documents to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in order to complete the process. This includes Form I-485 (adjustment of status) and various supporting documents. Depending on the immigration category, the processing time for this step can vary from months to years. Once the I-485 form is approved, the applicant will then receive a green card in the mail. However, the entire process can take quite some time, and the USCIS does not guarantee a specific timeline. How long it takes to receive a green card depends on the type of petition and the particular circumstances of the applicant. All in all, it can range from several months to several years, so applicants should plan accordingly.

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Para adquirir una tarjeta verde, el proceso puede llevar de seis meses a un año aproximadamente. La tarjeta verde, a veces llamada tarjeta de residente permanente, le da a un extranjero el estatus legal de residencia permanente en los Estados Unidos. Esto significa que el titular de la tarjeta está autorizado a trabajar y establecer su hogar en los Estados Unidos. El primer paso para obtener una tarjeta verde es asegurarse de que uno cumple con los requisitos de elegibilidad. La persona necesita ser patrocinada por un cónyuge, un padre, un hijo adulto, un hermano o un empleador. Después de determinar la elegibilidad, el patrocinador debe presentar el Formulario I-130. Si el formulario se completa correctamente, obtendrá una carta de aceptación de la Oficina de Ajuste de Inmigración. El siguiente paso es completar el Formulario I-485 junto con los documentos requeridos. Una vez que el Formulario I-485 se ha completado correctamente y los documentos requeridos se han proporcionado, la persona deberá asistir a una entrevista en un Centro de Servicios de Inmigración. La entrevista se llevará a cabo para verificar toda la información suministrada y para asegurarse de que cumpla con los requisitos de la ley de inmigración. Después de la entrevista, la tarjeta verde puede ser emitida y el proceso puede completarse con éxito.

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