Permanent Resident Resources and Information Cente

Obtaining a Green Card Through the Lottery

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:02:00 +0000

The green card lottery program is a golden opportunity for people living outside the United States to come over to America with a green card to live and work permanently. This program, established and enacted by the United States Congress in 1996, is an annual program that allows for 50,000 US visas to be distributed randomly. The green card lottery program is run by the USA State Department.

Obtaining a green card through the lottery can be done by applying through the internet, and many resources can help you through the process. There are some qualifications that you have to pass. You must be from a Country that is on a predetermined list, as well as pass economic and employment conditions.

It has recently been determined that the green card lottery application process must now be done exclusively online. The State Department will no longer accept mailed submissions. Given this information, many people use programs such as this one to submit their information.

The computer selection process, though random, is set up to diversify among many different ethnic groups. No more than seven percent of a demographic will be granted these green cards to ensure this diversity. The whole idea behind the program is to bring a larger mix of immigrants to the United States to work.

This program was put into place so that people could come into the United States with green card in hand, and ultimately become a United States permanent resident. In spite of the large number of immigrants to the United States, certain areas and ethnic groups are not very well represented in the melting pot we call America. By granting these green cards, the United States is ensuring diversity, and offering great opportunities to everyone around the world.

The lottery does extend to your entire family should you win a green card through the lottery. This covers your wife, and any children under 21 that are not married. Though you come into the United States with green card in hand, you still must apply for United States citizenship if you wish to become a US citizen as well.

To apply for this green card lottery, you only need to meet the minimum requirements. Becoming a US resident that is working and living in America is now a real possibility for you. Be sure to check out the website and sign up for your chance at a green card today.

To find out more about immigrating to America and the green card lottery please visit Green Card Lottery Info.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Russell_Hancock

US Green Card

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 10:22:00 +0000

Green card is a legal permanent residence status given to a foreign individual by US government. Basically, green card allows immigrants from all over the world to work and live in the US with the same rights of US citizenship except for right to vote up to 5 years. After 5 years, a person can apply for US citizenship.

There are some legal ways to eligible for a green card.

1) Green Card through employment in the United States

2) Green card through immediate family staying as citizens in US.

3) Green card through marriage to a US citizen.

Addition to the above options for obtaining green card, there are some special cases that allow individuals to obtain a green card.

The special cases are as follows:

1) National Interest Wavier

2) Researchers

3) Labor

4) Asylum

5) Specialized Skills

Green Card through employment in the United States:

In this case, the employer of the foreign nation must sponsor that individual. Once the employer sponsored the individual may make application for a green card. It is a much faster process for the individuals with more education or specialized job skills.

Green card through immediate family staying as citizens in US:

In this case, if a foreign individual has a family member such as parent or child that is an US citizen, then they are eligible for a green card. If a parent of a foreign minor child is an American citizen then that child is automatically and immediately eligible for a visa.

Green card through marriage to an US citizen:

Foreign person can eligible for a green card is through marriage to a United States citizen; however, the American citizen must stay in the United States. Once the person has obtained their green card they can apply for permanent residence.

There are some other special ways to apply for green card on time basis.

Detailed information on US immigration visas and Green card can be obtained from http://www.immigrationforum.com; it also provides various categories like Nonimmigrant visas, Immigrant visas, Citizenship, Canada immigration, UK immigration, Australia immigration and more for discussion.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ranjeeth_A

The 7 Most Common Mistakes Green Card Applicants Make and How to Avoid Them

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:33:00 +0000

Applying for a US Permanent Residency card (or Green Card) is an important step for immigrants seeking to live and work in the United States.

Green Cards are issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), who has set instructions and filing fees that must be followed stringently—otherwise, your application may be denied or delayed.

Below are some tips on how to avoid the most common mistakes that result in a Green Card application being delayed or denied.

1. Not making sure you are eligible for the immigration category you are applying to. Depending on your type of immigration—through a family member, employment, or investment—you must meet certain criteria before applying for a Green Card. To check whether you are eligible for a Green Card, go to www.uscis.gov/greencard

2. Relying on outdated information. Immigration forms and fees change from time to time. Although USCIS may accept older versions of certain forms, they will not accept an incomplete payment. Check current fees at www.uscis.gov (Click on ‘Immigration forms’).

3. Submitting incomplete documentation. Green Card forms require that you submit supporting documentation such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, employment verification letters, etc. The more documents you can submit to strengthen your case, the better. Always double check that all the supporting documentation is included in your packet.

4. Failing to sign your immigration forms. Many times you fill out your forms but forget to sign and date them—this may be especially true when you are filing your dependents’ forms (they must sign their own if they are not minors).

5. Filing non-English documents without translations. Every non-English document—diplomas, birth certificates—must be accompanied by an English translation—it does not need to be official.

6. Not filling out your checks correctly. Immigration fees should be made payable to Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services—not the Immigration and Naturalization Service, which was the agency’s old name. Also, payments must be done with money orders or cashier’s checks—not personal checks.

7. Paying an immigration lawyer for what you can do yourself. Immigration lawyers charge you thousands of dollars for filing a stack of documents that you collect in the first place. Unless your case is very complex, you should file for a Green Card by yourself.

Diego Pineda is the author of Getting a Green Card for Less: How to file the I-485 without an immigration lawyer. To learn how to save up to $5,000 in attorney’s fees go to http://www.greencardforless.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diego_Pineda

Permanent Residency

Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:41:00 +0000

Permanent residency refers to a person's visa status: the person is allowed to reside indefinitely within a country despite not having citizenship. A person with such status is known as a permanent resident.

Also known as Legal residence (Tax resident), which is colloquially meant by "permanent residency" in most contexts where visas and citizenship issues do not generally apply.

Legal residence is the principle that each legal person (natural or corporate) has a single location of primary residence. This is of relevance with respect to taxation and other state-imposed obligations, but is also important with respect to the determination of citizenship or nationality.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Blue Card (European Union) 2

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 02:18:00 +0000

The blue card proposal was presented at a press conference in Strasbourg on the 23rd of October, 2007, by the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso and Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security Franco Frattini. Barroso motivated the proposal with the EU’s future lack of labour and skills, the difficulty for third country workers to move between different member states for work purposes, the conflicting admission procedures for the 27 different member states, and the "rights gap" between EU citizens and legal immigrants. The proposal was presented along with another proposal, COM(2007)638, which includes a simplified application procedure and a common set of rights for legal third-country workers.

Shortly after the proposal was presented, it received heavy criticism. South African Minister of Health Manto Tshabalala-Msimang pointed to the fact that several African countries already suffer from the migration of skilled health workers and said that this proposal might worsen the situation. Moroccan international economic law professor Tajeddine El Husseini went further, saying that this "is a new form of colonisation, of discrimination, and it will be very hard to find support for it among southern countries".

On 20 November 2008 the European Parliament backed the introduction of the blue card while recommending some safeguards against the brain drain and greater flexibility for EU Member States.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Blue Card (European Union)

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 01:55:00 +0000

The Blue Card or the Blue European Labour Card is a proposed EU-wide work permit allowing high-skilled non-EU citizens to work and live in any country within the European Union, excluding Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom, which are not subject to the proposal. [1] It is inspired by the United States' Green Card and takes its name from the EU flag, which is blue with twelve golden stars.

The proposal, which has been presented by the European Commission, will offer a one-track procedure for non-EU citizens to apply for a work permit, which would be valid for up to two-years, but can be renewed thereafter. Those who are granted a blue card will be given a series of rights, such as favourable family unification rules. The proposal also encourages geographic mobility within the EU, between different member states, for those who have been granted a blue card. The legal basis for this proposal is Article 63(3)(a) and (4) of the Treaty of Rome, which states that the Council shall adapt measures on immigration policy concerning “conditions of entry and residence and standards on procedures for the issue by Member States” and measures “defining the rights and conditions under which nationals of third countries who are legally resident in a Member State may reside in other Member States”.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Proof of permanent residency

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 06:26:00 +0000

People who are granted permanent residency in a country are usually issued some sort of documentary evidence as legal proof of this status. In the past, many countries would merely stamp the person's passport indicating that the holder was admitted as a permanent resident or that he/she was exempt from immigration control and permitted to work without restriction.

Other countries would issue a photo ID card (known in the United States as a "green card") or would issue a visa sticker in the person's passport or present them with letter to indicate their permanent resident status.

In Australia and New Zealand, a printout of permanent residence visa or residence permit is stuck to a page of the permanent resident's passport.

In Canada, permanent residents are issued a photo ID card known as PR Card or Maple Leaf Card.

In Hong Kong, permanent residents are issued a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card.

In Singapore, permanent residents are issued a blue identity card with their photograph, thumb print and other personal particulars.

In Switzerland, permanent residents are issued a yellow ID

Loss of the identification document and/or the possession of a stolen document are major crimes in many countries.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Automatic entitlement

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 06:23:00 +0000

Full permanent residence rights are granted automatically between:

the Republic of Ireland and United Kingdom

the states of the Nordic Council

Rights conferred under the European Union Treaties do not extend to full permanent residence, but in practice there is little difference.

Australian and New Zealand citizens have significant rights of residence in each other's nations under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Access to citizenship

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 06:20:00 +0000

Usually permanent residents may apply for citizenship by naturalisation after a period of residency in the country concerned. Dual citizenship may or may not be permitted.

In many nations an application for naturalisation can be denied on character grounds sometimes resulting in individuals that are not in danger of being deported but may not proceed to citizenship. In the United States, the residency requirements for citizenship are normally five years, even though permanent residents that have been married to a US citizen for three years or more may apply in three years. Those who have served in the armed forces may qualify for an expedited process allowing citizenship after only one year, or even without any residence requirement.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Loss of status

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 06:15:00 +0000

Permanent residents may lose their status if they fail to comply with residency or other obligations imposed on them.

For example:

• they leave the country beyond a maximum number of days

• they commit crimes so as they may be subject to deportation or removal from the country

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Obligations of permanent residents

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 06:09:00 +0000

Permanent residents may be required to fulfill specific residence obligations to retain their status. In some cases, permanent residency may be conditional on a certain type of employment or maintenance of a business.

Some countries have compulsory military service for Permanent Residents and Citizens. For example, Singapore requires all males who are citizens and permanent residents to complete a compulsory 2 years of service in the army known as National Service (NS) upon attaining 18 years of age. However, most first generation permanent residents are exempted, and only their sons are held liable for NS.

In a similar vein, the United States has Selective Service, a compulsory registration for military service, which is required of all male citizens and permanent residents ages 18 to 26; this requirement applies even to those residing in the country illegally Applications for citizenship may be denied or otherwise impeded if the applicant cannot prove having complied with this requirement.

Permanent residents may be required to reside in the country offering them residence for a given minimum length of time (as in Australia and Canada).

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rights of permanent residents

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 06:01:00 +0000

Depending on the country, permanent residents usually have the same rights as citizens except for the following:

they may not vote (some countries
allow this)

they may not stand for public office

they may not apply for public sector
employment (some countries allow this)

they may not apply for employment
involving national security (some countries allow this) (In Singapore,
however, male PRs have to undergo compulsory military service, unless they
are granted PR under Technical and Skill Workers Migration Scheme. For
example a first generation male, granted permanent residence by marrying a
citizen, still ought to serve NS.)

they may not own certain classes of real
estate

they may not hold the passport of that
country

they may not access the country's consular
protection (some countries allow this)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Countries with permanent residency systems

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:49:00 +0000

Not every country has a facility for someone to be a 'permanent resident. All European Union countries have a facility for someone to become a permanent resident though, as EU legislation allows for an EU national that moves to another EU country to attain permanent resident status after residing there for five years.

The countries that have a permanent resident status include:

Argentina

Australia

Brazil

Brunei Darussalam (called "penduduk tetap")

Canada (permanent residents were known as landed immigrants before 28 June 2002)

Chile

China (Programme started from 2004)

Hong Kong (either through Right to land or Right of Abode)

Macau

Czech Republic - trvalý pobyt

Denmark

Finland (permit P)

Germany (called Niederlassungserlaubnis)

Greece (called Πράσινη Κάρτα)

Guatemala

Iran

Israel (The term toshàv-kéva may refer to a permanent resident without citizenship, or to a citizen with registered abode)

Japan

Malaysia (called "penduduk tetap" and "PR")

Mexico

Netherlands (called Verblijfsvergunning voor onbepaalde tijd)

New Zealand

Norway (called Bosettingstillatelse)

Poland (called Karta stałego pobytu)

Republic of China (Taiwan)

Romania (called Permis de şedere permanentă)

Russia (called Vid na zhitelstvo)

Singapore

South Africa

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland (called a C permit or Niederlassungsbewilligung (settlement permit) )

United Kingdom (either through Indefinite Leave to Remain or Right of Abode or Permanent Residence for EEA nationals)

United States (see permanent residence (United States))

Ukraine (called posvidka na postijne prozhivanie)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia