For many, a green card promises a new beginning in the United States. This legal document grants recipients the right to work and live in the country and pursue work, education, housing, health, and other opportunities. However, before applicants can mark this milestone, they must endure a long, time-consuming, and sometimes complicated application process.
Fortunately, they don’t have to walk this path alone. If you or a loved one wants to apply for permanent resident status, an Orlando green card immigration attorney with Bogin, Munns & Munns can help you. Our legal team’s Orlando immigration attorneys stay current on federal immigration laws and can guide you through the process. Start today with a free consultation about your application and learn what steps you must take next.
What to Know About Getting a Green Card in Orlando
A green card allows non-U.S. residents to legally and permanently live, work, and study in the United States. They can maintain their permanent resident status until they:
- Apply for and complete the naturalization process to become an American citizen; or
- They lose or abandon their status.
The document, also known as a permanent resident card, is generally valid for 10 years. Green card holders can renew it when that period expires.
Green Card Holders’ Rights and Responsibilities
Green cards allow holders certain rights. They can:
- Apply for U.S. citizenship after three or five years
- Receive protection from federal, state, and local laws
- Receive protection from deportation (provided they follow all laws)
- Live and travel anywhere in the United States
- Apply for jobs in the U.S.
- Receive U.S. healthcare
- Access educational programs and apply for federal student financial aid
- Sponsor family members
Green card holders must also meet certain responsibilities. They must:
- Follow all state, local, and federal laws.
- File federal and state tax returns.
- Register with the Selective Service (applies to males ages 18 to 25)
Green card holders cannot:
- Vote. Only U.S. citizens can vote in elections held in the country.
- Travel abroad for long periods. They cannot live abroad for more than one year if they want to retain their permanent residency status.
- Commit crimes. Those who get involved in criminal activities risk facing deportation and other consequences.
Are All Green Cards the Same?
No. People can apply for various kinds of permanent residence cards, depending on their situation. Each category has its own eligibility criteria. As U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) explains, applicants can apply for a green card through family, an employment arrangement, refugee or asylee status, or other categories. They can also apply for the card as a special immigrant, such as a religious worker, or a human trafficking or crime victim.
With so many categories to choose from, it can be confusing to determine which ones you or a loved one qualifies for. Our attorneys can review your situation and advise you on which category you should apply for.
To consult with an experienced h1 work visa lawyer serving Orlando
855-780-9986
How Our Orlando Green Card Immigration Attorneys Can Help You
Applying for a green card can be a long, complex process. Applicants must fill out forms, attend hearings and wait to hear back from immigration officials, which are just a few reasons why the process takes time.
Working with an immigration attorney in Orlando who understands your situation and can navigate the immigration system on your behalf can ensure you handle the process properly. With legal representation on your side, you will get advice that specifically addresses your circumstances and concerns.
Our immigration lawyers serving Orlando will:
- Determine the green card you can apply for and explain its eligibility criteria.
- Lay out your options as you move forward, even if you are renewing or replacing your green card.
- Explain your rights throughout the application process and protect them.
- Collecting essential documentation to support your petition and application.
- Meeting all deadlines and timelines for your case.
- Filing and tracking important legal paperwork for you, ensuring you have the right forms and other documents you need.
- Collaborating with your employer or sponsor if your case requires it.
- Monitoring your case’s status, ensuring your materials are error-free.
- Helping you prepare for immigration interviews, biometrics appointments, or immigration court appearances.
- Regularly updating you on your case’s status.
We understand that each case differs, so we will do everything we list above and take care of other tasks your case requires. Working with an Orlando green card immigration lawyer will save you time and help you understand what’s going on in your case.
We encourage you to start the process today with a legal professional on our team. Call Bogin, Munns & Munns today for a free consultation. You can fill out our immigration questionnaire and get specific guidance during this call.
We Will Use 40-Plus Years of Experience to Lead Your Orlando Immigration Case
Bogin, Munns & Munns’ immigration attorneys are committed to helping you and your loved ones with your immigration matters. We have served the Central Florida community since 1979 and work diligently to achieve favorable outcomes for every client we represent.
Here are a couple of testimonials from former clients we have helped:
- “They have been phenomenal. Extremely responsive when I have any questions and very clearly explained the entire process I’d be going through from beginning to end.”
- “Very responsive, experienced and knowledgeable. I appreciate their ability to get everything done in a timely manner. Definitely recommend this firm!”
Our Orlando immigration attorneys will go the distance for you and your family from the time we start working on your case until we resolve it. We are ready to work for you.
Orlando H1 Work Visa Lawyer Near Me
855-780-9986
How Long does It Take to Get a Green Card?
Applicants’ wait times for a green card will vary according to their situation. Still, it is reasonable to manage your expectations from the start, which an attorney can help with.
Various factors could delay the process, such as application errors, the number of applications immigration officials must process, missed appointments or hearings, and other unforeseen circumstances.
The USCIS offers more information about application processing times on its website. An Orlando green card attorney from our Central Florida law firm can also advise you throughout the process, another benefit of having a legal professional work on your case.
Call Bogin, Munns & Munns Today for Help With a Green Card in Orlando, FL
The Orlando green card immigration attorneys at Bogin, Munns & Munns offers a free initial consultation for people who want to obtain their green card. You don’t have to figure out your immigration matter alone. We are ready to put decades of experience toward helping you achieve the outcome you want.
You can call us and check out our frequently asked immigration questions (FAQs) page or reach out to us directly for an answer. Contact us today for legal advice during a free initial consultation.
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