Green Card Attorney in Houston

Do you want to make the United States your home and put yourself on the path to U.S. citizenship? Usually, the first step in the process is applying for permanent residency, otherwise known as a Green Card. At Iyer PLLC, we can help you through the application process. 

As immigrants ourselves, our legal team is experienced and dedicated to providing the best quality service. When your case gets taken on by our Houston green card attorney, you will be guided through the immigration process by a dedicated, accessible professional who will diligently work your case. 

Thinking of Applying for a Green Card? Call Iyer PLLC at (832) 430-3167 for Help. We are based in Houston and proudly serve clients in Houston, Pasadena, Sugar Land, Conroe, Baytown, Katy, Clear Lake, Pearland, League City, Richmond, Spring, Humble, Kingwood, Stafford, Cypress, Fulshear, Missouri City, and The Woodlands. 

We also take immigration cases nationwide!

Need an immigration attorney for a green card? Contact Iyer PLLC online or dial (832) 430-3167 for a consultation.

What is a Green Card?

Generally, a Green Card is evidence of lawful permanent residence in the United States and is a prerequisite to obtaining U.S. citizenship. It allows one to lawfully live and work in the United States indefinitely. Unlike other visas, a Green Card grants its holder a potentially permanent status, i.e., lawful permanent residence.

Green Card Eligibility

The process of obtaining a Green Card can seem complex, which is why Iyer PLLC is here to help you. There are many different bases for Green Cards—each of which involves different eligibility requirements—but here are some of the more common general eligibility requirements to get a Green Card. 

Generally, an immigrant must:

• Demonstrate eligibility for a Green Card under one of the many different possible bases;
• Establish that you are not inadmissible;
• If you are inadmissible, apply for a waiver.

Ways To Obtain a Green Card

The categories of immigrants who are eligible for a Green Card are diverse. Often, immigrants are eligible to apply for a Green Card as part of a petition process. For example, U.S. citizens or Green Card holders may petition for a Green Card for certain immigrant family members. Similarly, an employer may petition for a Green Card for certain eligible immigrant workers.  Alternatively, immigrants may be eligible to apply for a Green Card directly through a special program, such as Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (“LRIF”) or the Cuban Adjustment Act (“CAA”). 

To learn more about green card requirements, get in touch with green card applications attorneys serving Sugar Land, Texas and beyond at Iyer PLLC. Dial (832) 430-3167 today. Se Habla Español!

Family-Based Green Cards

An immigrant may be eligible for a Green Card if she is an immediate relative or falls into one of the family preference categories. Immediate relatives include a spouse, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens. Family preference categories include adult or married children of U.S. citizens; siblings of U.S. citizens; and a spouse and unmarried children of Green Card holders.

Fiancée & K Visa Applications

Fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens are also eligible for Green Cards, but the process is a bit more complicated because it involves both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas, as well as an intervening marriage. Generally, the first step is to obtain a K-1 visa so that the immigrant can enter the United States for 90 days in order to marry the U.S. citizen fiancé(e). If the parties marry within that time, the immigrant then applies to adjust status to a lawful permanent residence. If successful, the immigrant will obtain a Green Card at the end of the process. The unmarried children under 21 of the immigrant fiancé(e)s is also eligible 

Obtaining Green Card Through Employment

Acquiring a green card through employment hinges on the immigrant’s preference and eligibility:

• First Preference Immigrant Workers: This category encompasses individuals with extraordinary expertise in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. It also includes distinguished professors or researchers and multinational managers or executives who satisfy specific criteria.
• Second Preference Immigrant Workers: Targeting professionals in fields necessitating advanced degrees, this category is open to individuals showcasing exceptional abilities in sciences, arts, or business. Additionally, it encompasses those pursuing a national interest waiver.
• Third Preference Immigrant Workers: This group includes skilled workers who require a minimum of two years of training or work experience. It also covers professionals who need at least a U.S. bachelor’s degree or an equivalent earned abroad. Lastly, it encompasses unskilled workers performing roles requiring less than two years of training or experience.

Other options for obtaining an employment-based green card are the Physician National Interest Waiver and Immigrant Investor programs.

The Physician National Interest Waiver is available to physicians who commit to work full-time in an underserved area for a set period of time while meeting other eligibility standards.

Individuals who invest at least $1 million (or $500,000 in a designated employment area) in a new U.S. commercial venture that creates at least ten full-time jobs are eligible for the Immigrant Investor program.

For reliable assistance in navigating the nuances of green cards, turn to Iyer PLLC. With our multilingual services available in English and Spanish, and years of experience in immigration law, any Houston permanent residency attorney at our firm is dedicated to guiding you through every step of your journey toward obtaining lawful permanent residency.

Diversity Visas

The Diversity Visa Program is an annual lottery that invites up to 50,000 nationals of certain low-immigration countries, along with their family members, to apply for Green Cards. The chance of winning the lottery depends on your country of chargeability. Most people are charged to their country of birth, although there are a few important exceptions. Once selected for a diversity visa, the applicant must apply for a Green Card either at the U.S. Embassy in her home country or through adjustment of status in the United States. At the end of a successful process, the applicant and certain family members will obtain Green Cards.

Begin your dream of becoming a resident of the United States by calling Iyer PLLC at (832) 430-3167 and schedule a paid consultation. Se habla Español! See how a qualified green card lawyer in Houston can help with your application.