Article
The Roadmap to a Successful Petition
The Green Card application is a rigid process that must be taken seriously. There are certain steps to take, documents to collect, and an unpredictable timeframe to deal with. For someone new to the U.S. immigration scene, this can be too much to handle. To feel empowered on your immigration journey, familiarize yourself with the general steps in petitioning a loved one to the United States.
Step 1: Submit Form I-130
Submitting Form I-130 to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the crucial first step in sponsoring a relative. Also referred to as Petition for Alien Relative, the form establishes the relationship between you and your beneficiary or the family member you’re sponsoring.
Step 2: Wait For Petition Approval
Once the form is submitted, you’ll have to wait patiently for the petition to be approved. Remember that an approved Form I-130 petition doesn’t ensure Visa issuance but indicates clearance to proceed with the next immigration steps. If the petition is accepted, it will be the basis for your relative’s application for an immigrant Visa at a Consulate or U.S. Embassy in their home country.
Step 3: Apply For Immigrant Visa
The approved petition is then forwarded to the Department of State’s National Visa Center (NVC) for further processing. Your loved one must complete Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa Electronic Application, online and submit civil documents, police clearances, and medical examination reports when required. NVC processes the application and forwards it to the relevant U.S. Embassy or Consulate for the next steps.
Step 4: Attend Immigrant Visa Interview
Your relative must attend an interview at the Consulate or U.S. Embassy in their home country. A consular officer will verify the beneficiary’s eligibility for an immigrant Visa. They will review your relative’s documentation and ask questions about their background and intentions in the United States.
Step 5: Receive Immigrant Visa
When your family member abroad is granted the status, they will receive a sealed envelope or a Visa packet containing important documents and information. The beneficiary must not open this envelope, as only a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer can open it at a port of entry into the United States. Opening the packet outside the designated inspection process could invalidate or revoke the Visa.
Step 6: Enter The United States
Your beneficiary must travel to the United States within the validity period of the immigrant Visa, typically within six months of the Visa issuance date. Upon arrival, they will undergo immigration inspection at a port of entry and present the Visa packet to the U.S. CBP official.
If the officer approves the beneficiary for entry, they become lawful permanent residents. However, they will wait a few weeks to receive their Green Card via mail at the address provided during the immigrant Visa application. This document confirms their status as lawful permanent residents and grants them the right to live and work permanently in the United States.
Following these steps can significantly improve the likelihood of a successful petition. In addition to knowing the key procedures involved in a smooth immigration process, you must also be well-informed about your role as a sponsor.
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