Q&A for How to Get a Green Card

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Question

How can I get a green card by joining the military?

Valery Cury
Immigration Attorney
Valery Cury is an Immigration Attorney based in Santa Ana, California. With over seven years of experience, she specializes in affirmative cases. Valery earned her Master’s Degree from Brooklyn Law School and her Bachelor’s Degree in Law from Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra in the Dominican Republic. She is licensed to practice in the State of Connecticut. She’s also a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the Dominican Bar Association (DBA).

Valery Cury

Immigration Attorney

Expert Answer

Typically, the military are the ones that handle that directly for you. So, you'd express your interest in proceeding that way and they would go ahead and take care of that for you.

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Question

If I go to the U.S. and marry a U.S. citizen, does that allow me to get a green card?

Community Answer

If you are married to a U.S. citizen you can apply for a green card. However, it is not easy and it is not guaranteed you will actually be approved to get one, so make sure you meet all the criteria.

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Question

My younger sister is a USA citizen. Can she apply for me?

Community Answer

If you get her to say you're going to live with her and be a dependent, or get her to help you set up a job, that will make things go faster.

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Question

Can a friend get me a U.S. green card?

Community Answer

Absolutely not, as it is illegal. You need to go through the proper channels to legally obtain a green card.

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Question

Can I get a green card if I never have lived in the USA?

Community Answer

Yes. You will still need a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to petition for you and you need to meet a list of criteria in order to be eligible for a green card.

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Question

How can I get a green card if I am 15 years old and have no relatives in the United States?

Community Answer

You cannot. in the U.S., you are considered a minor, and unless you are legally declared an emancipated adult by the court, you are still a child and could be put into the system as a homeless person until the age of 18 or be deported back to your home county.

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Question

Can I apply for a green card when I'm not US citizen?

Community Answer

Green cards are permanent resident cards for people who are not U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens are already citizens, so they don't need a green card. In short: the only way you can apply for a green card is if you are not a U.S. citizen.

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Question

What is the cost of changing my last name on a Green Card?

Community Answer

In order to replace the I-551 bearing your former name, the USCIS requires you to fill out Form I-90, Application to Renew or Replace Green Card. The filing fee as of 2011 was $450, which includes both a $365 filing fee and a charge of $85 for the biometric data.

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Question

Can I get a green card if I have no relatives in the US?

Community Answer

It is possible, but it will be super hard. It is easier if you have a relative by marriage or by blood in the US.

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Question

If I enter the U.S. illegally, can I get a Green Card?

Community Answer

No.

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Question

Can I get a green card if my father was born in America, but he's deceased?

Community Answer

No. To get a green card you need to have a U.S. citizen or permanent resident file a petition for you.

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Question

Can I purchase a green card?

Community Answer

You cannot purchase a legal green card; you must apply for one.

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Question

Can I get a green card if I don't fall under family or job requirements?

Community Answer

No. If you don't meet the conditions to get a green card, you cannot apply for one.

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Question

Can I get a green card if my cousin is a citizen?

Community Answer

No. Only immediate relatives (spouses, parents, children, siblings) can petition for you to get a green card.

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Question

How do I apply for a green card if I have been married to a US citizen for over 20 years?

Community Answer

The process is the same as when you are recently married. The only difference is that your first green card won't be conditional, meaning you will not have to undertake action again after two years to remove the conditions.

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Question

How do I get a green card after illegally living in the country for 20 years?

Community Answer

There is a complicated process in which you can apply for a green card based on just illegal residency. However, you can only follow this process if you are already in immigration proceedings and are facing deportation. If you have immediate relatives that are U.S. citizens, they can petition for you to get a green card. Be sure to hire an immigration lawyer, as you may be deported for living in the country illegally.

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Question

We came as a family of five but one of my child is a natural-born citizen. Is there any possibility for us becoming citizens?

Community Answer

It is possible. Consult an immigration attorney for advice.

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Question

Can I apply for a green card if I have a brother that is a U.S. citizen, but we don't have the same last name?

Community Answer

Yes. If you can show proof you are siblings (i.e. birth certificates with the same parents on them), you can follow the process to apply for a green card.

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Question

I am in the US on a visitor visa and staying with my boyfriend. How would I go about obtaining a green card?

Community Answer

Based on the information in your question, the only way would be to get married and apply for a green card. Be careful, because it is not easy and approval is not guaranteed.

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Question

I am over 18 years old, but I don't have a relative in the USA. Can I get a green card?

Community Answer

You can by marrying an American citizen and waiting 3 years.

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Question

Can I get a green card through a family member?

Community Answer

Yes, you can get it, but only if you are under 21 and not married.

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Question

Can I get a green card if my children are US citizens?

Community Answer

Typically you can, but not everyone is able to get a green card.

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Question

Can I apply for a US green card if my children are US citizens but under 21?

Community Answer

No, you cannot apply for a green card based on the fact that your children are US citizens since they are too young to petition for you. You may obtain a green card in another way though.

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Question

What are the chances of me getting a green card when I have no relatives in the USA?

Community Answer

Although having family in the US will make obtaining a green card easier, it isn't a requirement. You can ask your employer to fill out the forms (if you have gotten a job in the US), or you could fill it out by yourself if you have extraordinary abilities, talents or skills.

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Question

Can I get green card through family if a family member lives in the US?

Rahul

Community Answer

Yes, but you need to meet the eligibility criteria and fill the required forms.

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Question

How do I get a green card if I don't have family in the U.S.?

Spaceship

Community Answer

You don't necessarily need to have family in the United States to get a green card. You can obtain a green card for work or study purposes too.

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