How to Attain a Green Card
Becoming a naturalized citizen, or attaining a green card, is the aspiration of many immigrants. A green card essentially makes you a citizen of the United States -- with a few restrictions. Getting a green card takes footwork and patience, but there are several ways to get one.
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Instructions
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One way to get a green card is to legally marry a man or woman who is a U.S. citizen. However, you cannot simply get married and instantly receive your green card. You must fill out paperwork at a local courthouse as well as submitting a copy of your marriage license and certificate and the birth certificate of your spouse.
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Another method is to gain full-time employment with a registered and legal U.S. company. If you find full-time regular employment, you can apply for a green card at a local courthouse or immigration office by showing proof of your employment, such as a pay stub or a letter from the employer, and filling out the paper work. There is a waiting period of about a week or more to receive your green card.
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Arrive in the United States as a refugee. This is the rarest method of gaining a green card because it takes much more paper work and there is a much longer waiting period. If you arrive in the U.S.seeking refuge as the result of oppression in your country of origin, you can appeal to an immigration office by saying you need a green card to stay in the U.S. This may require some hefty fees for applications and having your case heard by a court of law. Waits for green cards under such circumstances can be 90 days or more.
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References
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