For anybody who wishes to move to the United States as a permanent resident, they must have a green card. A green card allows a person to legally reside and work in the United States. There are a couple of different ways to apply for a green card.

The process can take several years. The person applying will need to have a relative or job in order to be eligible to even start the application process. The country a person is immigrating from will also factor into the application process. There are quotas set every year, that determine how many applicants can be accepted into the United States. To apply for permanent status with sponsorship from an employer, the employer must be able to document why they need that particular individual for the job. Read the rest of this entry »

Immigration to the United States can be very complex or quite simple, depending on the place of origin of the immigrant. Immigration falls under the control of the Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) division of the Homeland Security Department. All petitions for visas of any type must be approved by the USCIS and the petition must be accompanied by detailed support documents relative to financial responsibility, purpose of the visa; visit, work, student or immigration; and background of the petitioner.

Immigrants from parts of the world where the United States has a presence and a working relationship with the government there, face less rigorous requirements than those from Eastern European Soviet Bloc countries, the Middle East or parts of Asia. Read the rest of this entry »