Green Card: what it is, how to get it and what it gives you

One way to fulfill the “American Dream” and settle in the United States is to win the Green Card lottery. Winners receive a document that gives the status of a US resident. Based on it, a person can permanently reside in the country for 10 years. After this period, the stay in the U.S. can be extended. If the Green Card holder leaves the country for more than six months, it is canceled. It is important to keep in mind that a Green Card is a residence permit, not citizenship.

Grounds for obtaining a Green Card

To participate in the Green Card, you need to apply and win the lottery, also on the basis of this document, people can be legalized in America on these grounds:

• If a person is married to a U.S. citizen.
• Family reunification.
• Employment.
• Asylum in connection with political persecution in their country.
• Investment in the U.S. economy.

Although Green Card holders are not U.S. citizens, they are obliged to follow all laws of the state and pay taxes. Men between the ages of 18 and 25 can be drafted into military service.

What gives Green Card

The Green Card residence permit opens such opportunities for foreigners living in the United States:

• You can settle anywhere in the state and move freely within its territory.
• Official work in any American company without additional permits.
• Social support: disability pension, disability or unemployment benefits.
• Running your own private business in the United States.
• Study in any educational institution in the country, the right to a scholarship.

Green Card holders have the opportunity to obtain U.S. citizenship. It is enough to live in the country for 5 years. It is still necessary to pass exams in English, economics, history and political structure of the United States, renounce the citizenship, which is at that time.

How to get a green card

Ways to get a Green Card:

• Formal marriage to a U.S. citizen. You will need to prove that the relationship is not fictitious: provide joint photos, correspondence, confirmation from friends and relatives. You must first obtain a K visa, come to the U.S. and get married, then apply for a Green Card.
• Family Reunification. This is available for unmarried children under 21, siblings, parents over 21, widows and widowers who have close relatives in the U.S. who are citizens or permanent residents. You will need to provide documents proving close kinship and a commitment from the relatives who will cover the migrant's expenses.
• Green Card for employment can be obtained by those who have an invitation to work from a U.S. company. First you need to apply for an immigrant visa, and then you can get a Green Card.
• Investors in the U.S. economy can get a Green Card after they have been in the country under conditional residency based on the EB-5 program. The minimum investment amount is $900,000.

Participating in the Green Card lottery is the most popular way on how to get residency in the US. It is held in October by the US government. Every year 55,000 green cards participate. The winners are chosen randomly. The list of countries from which one can participate varies. Only people who are 18 years of age or older and have a high school education, no serious illnesses or addictions, and no criminal record can apply.