Green Card Lawyers

What Is a Green Card?

A green card, officially called a “Permanent Resident Card”, grants a foreign national the ability to live permanently in the United States. A green card holder can live and work in the U.S. indefinitely, travel freely, and eventually apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization, if desired.

Green cards are issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and come with responsibilities, such as continuing to reside in the United States, renewing the card before its expiration date, and avoiding certain criminal charges.

There are two main ways to get a green card:

• Adjustment of Status: If you're already in the U.S.
• Consular Processing: If you're applying from your home country

Whether you're a foreign national applying for yourself or a U.S. citizen or green card holder sponsoring a family member, having the right legal support can make all the difference.

Ways to Get a Green Card

Several different immigration pathways allow people to obtain green cards:

• Marriage-based green cards: For foreign nationals married to U.S. citizens or green card holders.
• Family-based green cards: For immediate relatives of U.S. citizens or green card holders.
• Employment-based green cards: For workers eligible under the labor certification process, a national interest waiver, or special categories like religious workers.
• Diversity Immigrant Visa Program: Through the green card lottery, which randomly selects citizens of countries with low U.S. immigration rates to apply for residency.
• Asylum or refugee status: Allows those granted protection to apply for permanent residency after one year.
• Special categories: For human trafficking victims, domestic violence survivors under the Violence Against Women Act, and others.

Each of these paths has specific processes, eligibility rules, and documentation requirements. Processing timelines also vary widely among green card categories.

Our green card lawyers can guide you through applying for permanent residence. We’ll work together to determine your eligibility, gather the required documents, and meet deadlines, helping you avoid costly mistakes along the way.

Get Help Securing Your Green Card

Whether you’re applying for yourself, a spouse, or a family member, SimVisa’s legal team will walk you through the green card process — from petition to approval. Reach out today for a consultation.

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Can I Sponsor a Family Member for a Green Card?

If you’re a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, you may be able to sponsor a family member for a green card.

Green card holders can sponsor the following relatives:

• Spouses
• Children

U.S. citizens can sponsor these relatives:

• Spouses
• Children
• Parents, as long as the citizen is at least 21
• Siblings, as long as the citizen is at least 21

To sponsor a family member, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old and living in the U.S.
• Have proof of your financial ability to support the applicant
• Have proof of your citizenship or permanent resident status
• Complete and sign Form I-130 and other required documents

USCIS separates family-based green cards into preference categories, and these categories greatly affect the timeline. Green cards for spouses and unmarried children under 21 tend to have much shorter processing times than those for siblings or children over 21.

How to Obtain a Green Card

The green card process involves several steps, and the details depend on your specific category. Here's how it typically works:

1. You or your sponsor files the appropriate petition:
   
   • Family-based: Form I-130
   • Employment-based: Form I-140
   • Special cases: Forms like I-360 (VAWA), I-526 (investor), or I-918 (crime victim)
2. Wait for approval: USCIS will review the petition and send it to the National Visa Center if consular processing is needed.
3. Complete processing: If you're inside the U.S., you’ll file Form I-485 to adjust your status. If abroad, you'll complete DS-260.
4. Attend your interview: You’ll answer questions, provide supporting documents, and undergo a background check.
5. Get the decision: If approved, you’ll receive your green card by mail or get instructions to pick it up.

Throughout this journey, SimVisa’s legal team will help with every step, from filing to final approval.

When Will You Get Your Green Card?

The time it takes to get a green card depends on your immigration category, whether you're applying from inside or outside the U.S., and the backlog at your assigned USCIS service center. Processing times also vary based on priority dates, country of origin, and background checks or interviews.

Some green card applications — like those for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens — can be processed in under a year. Others, like certain employment-based or sibling sponsorships, may take several years.

Timeline for Getting a Green Card

Green card timelines vary based on the path you take. Here’s a general idea:

• Immediate relatives (spouses, minor children, parents): 10 to 14 months through adjustment of status; slightly longer for consular processing.
• Other family-based categories: 1 to 15 years, depending on visa backlogs and country of origin.
• Employment-based green cards: 1 to 3 years with labor certification; faster with a national interest waiver.
• Asylum or humanitarian cases: At least 1 year after approval of asylum or protection status.
• Diversity lottery winners: Must complete the green card process within the fiscal year of selection.

Additional delays can occur due to missing documentation, consular backlogs, or errors in applications.

Our attorneys can help you estimate your timeline, avoid preventable delays, and move through each step. If complications arise — such as a request for evidence or inadmissibility concerns — we'll handle them directly and, if needed, represent you in immigration court.

How SimVisa Can Help

A green card isn’t just a piece of paper; it’s a legal status that requires careful handling. Here's how an immigration lawyer can support you throughout the entire process:

• Assessment: Our experienced Chicago green card lawyers will determine the best green card category for your situation and identify any red flags early.
• Petition and paperwork: Our team handles the petition and supporting documents, confirming that they’re complete, accurate, and filed properly.
• Strategic guidance: We address potential challenges, applying for a waiver of inadmissibility if necessary.
• Interview preparation: If an interview is required, we’ll prepare you to present your case effectively when the time comes.
• Timely updates: You’ll know exactly where your case stands — we update you regularly and respond quickly to USCIS updates or notices.
• Reliable advocacy: We’ll advocate tirelessly on your behalf, acting as a go-between with USCIS to get your application processed smoothly and address any concerns.

Furthermore, if you have a conditional green card, we’ll walk you through the steps you need to take to remove the conditions and obtain a permanent green card.