| Green card is the term used to describe a | | | | In addition to the above options for obtaining a |
| document that gives a person born in another | | | | green card, there are special circumstances that |
| country the right to live and work in the United | | | | allow certain individuals who do not meet the |
| States. A green card is usually issued to those | | | | above criteria to obtain a green card in a timely |
| people who are permanent resident aliens and | | | | manner. These special circumstances include the |
| who wish to eventually become a United States | | | | following: |
| citizen. Once a person has held a green card for | | | | Asylum. This special circumstance applies to any |
| almost five years with no legal problems, they are | | | | foreign individual who is in the United States and |
| eligible to apply for citizenship or naturalization. | | | | fears returning to their country of origin. This fear |
| There are two main ways to be deemed eligible | | | | can be brought about by any persecution that is |
| for a green card. The first way is through your | | | | based on a person's race, political views or religion. |
| employment in the United States. In this case, the | | | | Labor. Individuals that posses a special skill that is |
| employer of the foreign individual must agree to | | | | desperately needed in the United States can |
| sponsor that individual. Once sponsored the | | | | obtain a green card in exchange for their |
| individual may make application for a green card. | | | | willingness to perform the job and skill set at a |
| This application is usually a much faster process | | | | specific job in a specific region assigned to them. |
| for those individuals with more education or | | | | National Interest Wavier. If an individual possesses |
| specialized job skills. Those individuals that have | | | | the professional skills to be of service to the |
| common job skills or less education may have to | | | | national interest of America then that person can |
| wait for a longer period of time before their | | | | be granted a green card without employer |
| application is reviewed and accepted. | | | | sponsorship. |
| The second way that an individual may become | | | | Researchers. For academic researchers who are |
| eligible for a green card is through their immediate | | | | internationally recognized for their achievements, |
| family. In this case, if a foreign individual has a | | | | there are special circumstances that allow that |
| family member such as a child, parent or sibling | | | | individual to receive a green card in exchange for |
| that is an American citizen, then they may apply | | | | sharing their information and knowledge. |
| for a green card. If a parent of a foreign minor | | | | Specialized Skills. Individuals that possess |
| child is an American citizen then that child is | | | | specialized skills and that are experts at the top |
| automatically and immediately eligible for a visa. | | | | pf their field may apply for and be granted a |
| Another way that a foreign person can qualify for | | | | green card. These individuals are usually exempt |
| a green card is through marriage to an American | | | | from the labor certification process. |
| citizen, however, the American citizen must reside | | | | Although special circumstances do exist, the |
| in the United States. Once the person has | | | | normal application process for and the granting of |
| obtained their green card they can apply for | | | | a green card usually take many months and is a |
| permanent residency but the laws controlling this | | | | very complicated and exhaustive system. If you |
| process are very stiff. In this case, the married | | | | are contemplating applying for a green card, it is |
| parties must prove that their relationship is | | | | advisable to speak with an attorney before hand. |
| legitimate. | | | | |