Tampa Green Card Lawyer

Applying for a green card can often be needlessly complicated and frustratingly time-consuming. But with the help of an experienced green card lawyer, you can successfully navigate the system and avoid needless stress and delays.

At Little Law, P.A., we represent immigrants who wish to apply for legal permanent residence. We can guide you through each step, from filling out the required forms to preparing you for interviews with immigration officials, thus ensuring that the process goes as smoothly as possible. To learn more about becoming a lawful permanent resident of the United States, contact us today. Our Tampa, Florida, immigration attorneys are more than happy to help.

Contact Little Law, P.A. today to schedule a consultation!

What Is A Green Card?

A green card gives foreign nationals the right to reside and work in the U.S. with the status of a lawful permanent resident. In order to obtain a green card, a spouse, family member or employer living in the U.S. can sponsor you. And in some cases, if you have come to the States as an asylum seeker, you can get a green card as a refugee.

While green card holders have specific rights under the law, they do not have the same rights as a full U.S. citizen. For instance, you may live and work in the U.S., travel to other countries and return to the U.S., and petition for certain family members to get green cards. However, you will not be able to vote, and there is a waiting period to apply for some federal assistance programs. Also, if you violate certain laws or engage in fraudulent acts in obtaining your green card, you may be deported.

Once you have received a green card, you may apply for full citizenship after a period of time has elapsed. Additionally, you can sponsor immediate family to be brought over to the U.S. and receive green cards of their own.

Application Process

Before applying for a green card, you must first determine whether or not you are eligible. In the majority of cases, green card applicants will need to be sponsored by either an immediate family member or an employer. It’s important to work with a green card lawyer to determine your eligibility, as well as to determine what requirements you must satisfy depending on which immigrant category you fall into.

The U.S. government will also require you to complete several applications, including an immigration petition and a green card application. Typically, the immigrant petition is filed on your behalf by your sponsor.

Those who are in the U.S. on valid visas will need to seek what is known as an “adjustment of status.” Adjustment of status petitions are filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If you are currently living outside of the United States, you will need to complete consular processing with the Department of State.

Once you submit your petition and application, the government will require you to attend a biometrics appointment, during which you will provide fingerprints, photos and a signature for use on official documents. You will also be interviewed.

After this process, a decision will be reached on whether your application is approved or whether the government requires more information.