Apply for Green Card/ Permanent Resident Card United States of America : USCIS USA
Organisation : U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Facility Name : Apply for Green Card/ Permanent Resident Card
State/Province : All States
Country : United States of America (USA)
Website : https://www.uscis.gov/green-card
What is USCIS Green Card?
Having a Green Card (Permanent Resident Card) allows you to live and work permanently in the United States. The steps you must take to apply for a Green Card will vary depending on your individual situation. Determine if you are eligible for permanent resident status. Review the eligibility requirements needed before applying for your Green Card.
Green Card Eligibility
To apply for a Green Card, you must be eligible under one of the categories listed below. Once you find the category that may fit your situation, click on the link provided to get information on eligibility requirements, how to apply, and whether your family members can also apply with you.
Green Card through Family :
Immediate relative of a U.S. citizen:
** Spouse of a U.S. citizen
** Unmarried child under the age of 21 of a U.S. citizen
** Parent of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old
Other relative of a U.S. citizen or relative of a lawful permanent resident under the family-based preference categories :
** Family member of a U.S. citizen, meaning you are the:
** Unmarried son or daughter of a U.S. citizen and you are 21 years old or older
** Married son or daughter of a U.S. citizen
** Brother or sister of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old
** Family member of a lawful permanent resident, meaning you are the:
** Spouse of a lawful permanent resident
** Unmarried child under the age of 21 of a lawful permanent resident
** Unmarried son or daughter of a lawful permanent resident 21 years old or older
How to Apply for Green Card?
Before starting the application process, there are two questions that you should answer first
General Application Process :
The steps you must take to apply for a Green Card will vary depending on your individual situation. However, here is the general application process that most applicants will go through:
** Someone usually must file an immigrant petition for you (often referred to as sponsoring or petitioning for you). In some cases, you may be eligible to file for yourself.
** After USCIS approves the immigrant petition, and there is a visa available in your category, you file either a Green Card application with USCIS or a visa application with the U.S. Department of State.
** You go to a biometrics appointment to provide fingerprints, photos, and a signature.
** You go to an interview.
** You receive a decision on your application.
How to Track Delivery of Your Green Card, Employment Authorization Document (EAD), and Travel Document?
i. Sign up for a Case Status Online account to get automatic case updates, including your U.S. Postal Service (USPS) tracking number when we mail your card or travel document.
ii. Register for Informed Delivery through USPS to get daily images of mail being sent to you. With Informed Delivery, you can:
** Automatically track the packages you’re expecting
** Set up email and text alerts
** Enter USPS Delivery Instructions™ for your mail carrier
** If your USPS tracking information shows your package was delivered but you have not received it, contact your local post office immediately. Remember, we will mail your card or travel document to the address you provided on your application.
** If your mailing address changes after you file your application, you must update your address with USCIS and USPS as soon as possible. We recommend you use the USPS Look Up a ZIP Code tool to ensure that you give USCIS your full address using the standard abbreviations and formatting recognized by USPS.
** If you don’t update your address promptly, your case could be delayed, your document(s) could get lost, and you may need to reapply and pay the fee again.
How to Replace Your Green Card?
** If you are a lawful permanent resident or conditional permanent resident and need to replace your Green Card based on the reasons in the When to Replace Your Green Card section, you may begin the application process for a replacement Green Card by filing Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, online or by mail. When you file online, you can:
i. Apply using a computer, phone, or tablet;
ii. See when we receive your application;
iii. Receive online updates on your case; and
iv. Communicate with us directly.
** If we approve your application, we will mail you a new Green Card.
** If you are applying to renew your Green Card, your Form I-90 receipt notice can be used with your expired Green Card as evidence of your lawful permanent resident status and will say the following:
i. This notice, together with your Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (also known as the Green Card), provides evidence of your lawful permanent resident status for 36 months from the expiration date on your Permanent Resident Card.
ii. You remain authorized to work and travel. This notice, presented with your expired Permanent Resident Card, is evidence of your status and work authorization.
** If you no longer have your Permanent Resident Card and you need evidence of your lawful permanent resident status while waiting to receive your replacement Card, we may issue you an Alien Documentation, Identification & Telecommunications (ADIT) stamp after you file this form.
** If we determine you must submit biometrics, we will mail you a biometrics appointment notice with the time and place of your appointment.
** This notice does NOT serve as notification of your biometrics appointment.
** If you need help obtaining an ADIT stamp, have questions, or need to update your personal information listed above, please visit the USCIS Contact Center webpage at uscis.gov/contact center to connect with a live USCIS representative in English or Spanish. If your mailing address changes while your case is pending, please update it through your USCIS Online Account, if you have one.
** If you have questions about presenting this notice with your expired Permanent Resident Card for Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, please call 888-897-7781. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, please call 877-875-6028.
** We will notify you separately about any other application, petition, or request you may have filed with us.
** If USCIS already accepted your application to renew your Green Card, USCIS will mail you a new receipt notice to use with your expired Green Card as temporary evidence of your lawful permanent resident status.
** As of Sept. 10, if you had a pending Form I-90 application, USCIS will print an amended receipt notice before your initial 24-month validity extension on your Green Card expires (read more here: USCIS Extends Green Card Validity Extension to 36 Months for Green Card Renewals).
** If you are outside the United States and your Green Card will expire within six months (but you will return within one year of your departure from the United States and before the card expires), you should file Form I-90 as soon as you return to the United States.
** If you are a conditional permanent resident and your Green Card is expiring, you must submit Form I-751, Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence, to apply to remove the conditions on your permanent resident status. For more information, see our Conditional Permanent Residence webpage.