My Journey Towards Getting A US Green Card
When we talk about a US green card, many people would say that getting one is like winning the lottery, but that is definitely not the case. I recently just successfully got my green card and I am always happy to pass as much information on to clear the misconception about the matter.
So, how does one acquire a green card? Short answer? It's not easy. It's 'do-able' but not easy. Be organised, do your research and get ready for an emotional roller coaster.
Long answer? I have been in the US twice before on a tourist visa and last 2017 when I met my husband and got married, I naturally had to change my status so I can permanently reside here with him. In my case, it was a fairly easy process. Since getting married to an American citizen, my husband has always been 'pushy' with processing my status here in the US more than me. So I decided to focus on it and put more effort and time into processing my papers. At first, it was intimidating and I thought that it will be a hard and tedious process. I did some research and read blogs about applying for the change of status and a lot of them said that hiring an attorney would help me ease the process towards application. But then as I read the application process and instructions, I thought, I could do this by myself without the need to hire a lawyer, which of course would just be a waste of money.
There are a number of categories that will qualify an individual to apply for a US green card. They are Family-based green card, Employment-based green card, Eligibility green card as a special immigrant, Asylum protection based green card, Green card for special agricultural workers and long time residents. In my case, my application was family based as a spouse of a US citizen or what is known as marriage green card.
What is a marriage green card? If you and your spouse plan to permanently reside in the US together, the next big thing to do is to apply for a marriage green card. A marriage green card allows the spouse of a US citizen to live and work anywhere in the US. A green card holder will have a permanent 'resident status' until they decide-if they wish- to apply for US citizenship for which they become eligible after three years.
Getting a green card through marriage is generally a three-step process:
1. Establishing the marriage relationship ( Form I-30 )
2.Applying for adjustment of status ( Form I-485 )
3. Attending for interview and waiting for approval
Of course these are the general steps. If you visit the USCIS website online and do your research like I did, it will help you and give you instructions on how to start applying for your change of status. I admit it can be pretty intimidating and overwhelming at first, but if you are determined to do this without shedding a large amount of dollars for attorneys fees, it can actually be done.
Basically what I'm trying to say, is be focused. Be organized. There will be a lot of filling out of forms and documents that will be needed to be copied and sent to them each step of the way. What I found easy though is that to make the process easier, I keep track of the forms I sent and the documents that I sent along with it. You do not have to send the original copies when sending them with the forms because USCIS will be asking for the originals during the interview. Also, make sure to have a folder where you can organize and keep correspondence and notices that USCIS mails you. This will help you keep track of where you are in the process. Follow their instructions to the book and I'm sure everything will go smooth and easy.
There will be corresponding fees that you will have to pay for the forms that you need to submit. Of course look at it this way, if you want to be with your spouse in the US, a couple thousand dollars is money well spent.
When you are finally scheduled for an interview, be sure to go prepared. Read all instructions and produce all documents that will support that your marriage is real and not based on fraud. The US government is very strict on making sure that green card applications based on marriages are not fraudulent and a way to scam the system. So don't be defensive of the overwhelming requirements that you will be required to produce like joint bank statements, utility bills in both your names, properties in both your names, health insurances, tax returns and other proofs that your marriage is real. I brought with us all these documents and I organized them in a folder and labeled them accordingly. I also have an album full of pictures of me and my husband with families and friends on regular days and special occasions. Pictures of our wedding, cards that me and my husband give each other, the greeting cards that we received and other special token that I've kept over the time.
All my research and preparedness and get ourselves ready for this interview paid off. Thanks to the support of family and of course my husband who has been there all the way and worked with me towards our success. Last week I just received my green card and thinking about it now, relieves us and makes us stress free.
XOXO,
Karen