Permanent Visa Service
A significant portion of individuals relocating to the United States do so for official transfers or business purposes. Within this demographic, a considerable number aspire to establish permanent residency in the United States, seeking a 'Lawful Permanent Residency,' commonly known as a 'Green Card.' This status provides complete freedom for permanent residence and employment in the country. However, a comprehensive understanding of the prevailing laws and regulations is essential to navigate the legal procedures for obtaining permanent resident status. The primary objective of Lawgatus, INC as a firm is to guide interested applicants accurately through the entire process, utilizing a dedicated team and a comprehensive online database covering the entire spectrum of immigration.
Submission of Petition
The immigrant visa, issued by a U.S.
consular officer outside the U.S., allows an individual to travel to the U.S. and seek admission as
a permanent resident. To apply for this visa, the foreign citizen must have sponsorship from a
prospective employer, a U.S. citizen relative, or a permanent resident of the United States. The
sponsor must file a petition with USCIS, also known as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
A lawful permanent resident of the U.S. can file an immigrant visa petition for a spouse or unmarried
son or daughter. A U.S. citizen can file an immigrant visa petition for parents, siblings, spouse,
or son/daughter.
Petitions Filed in the United States
U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents
residing in the United States file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with the USCIS Chicago
or Phoenix Lockbox facility, following instructions on the USCIS website. U.S. employers file Form
I-140, Petition for Alien Worker, as outlined on the USCIS website.
Applicants already in the United
States need to file Form I-485, an application to register permanent residence or adjust status.
Adjustment of Status is a process allowing an eligible applicant to acquire permanent residency in
the United States without applying for an immigrant visa from a foreign country. To receive an
E-notification that the petition has been accepted at the USCIS Lockbox facility, Form G-1145 must
be submitted.
Immigrant Petitions Outside of the United States
Those residing abroad must check for a USCIS international office in their city. If available, the petition can be filed at the USCIS Chicago Lockbox facility or the international office. If there is no USCIS office in the city of residence, the petition can be filed at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate office. Upon USCIS approval of the immigrant visa petition, individuals can commence the application process for an immigrant visa.
After Petition Approval
Once the USCIS approves the petition, it is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC) of the Department of State for pre-processing. The pre-processing procedure involves collecting forms, documents, and visa fees from applicants and sponsors (also referred to as petitioners).
The United States allocates limited immigrant visa numbers based on visa categories. Therefore, approval of the petition by USCIS does not guarantee an immediate assignment of an immigrant visa number. However, for some visa categories, the immigrant visa number depends on the petition filing date, known as the priority date. To check the priority date, visit the U.S. Department of State website.
that individuals with approved petitions from USCIS, who have submitted required documents at NVC, should wait for an update from the NVC before submitting additional forms or documents. Once pre-processing is complete, the applicant's case becomes current, allowing them to proceed with further processing.