Becoming a citizen of the United States is a dream for many people. If you also have this goal, you must first secure legal permanent resident status (LPR). This status grants you numerous rights, including the ability to live and work in this country. LPR status could even allow you to sponsor family members to immigrate to the U.S. as well.
The path to a green card can be long and difficult, especially when you are here on your own. Fortunately, a skilled green card attorney could assist you with every step of applying for legal permanent resident (LPR) status in Berwyn.
Determining whether or not an applicant is eligible for LPR status is a vital first step to obtaining citizenship. There are many different circumstances where a person could qualify, and with so many types of visas, it can be difficult to choose the best approach.
One of the most common routes for people seeking LPR status is being sponsored by an immediate family member. Family-based immigration is common and comes in different forms. While the immediate family of U.S. citizens often get priority, it can take much longer for legal permanent residents to sponsor their family members.
Many people seeking legal permanent residence status do so with the intention of furthering their career in the U.S. There are many types of work permits, and some of them provide the applicant with LPR status. Most of the time, a person will need to have an offer of employment from a company operating in the U.S. in order to qualify.
In addition, there are LPR options available for those seeking asylum. When a person is granted asylum and allowed to stay in this country out of fear of persecution abroad, they have the opportunity to eventually become a legal permanent resident. A person with asylum must remain in the country for one year before they are eligible. To find out which option is best for applying for legal permanent resident status, speak to a Berwyn attorney.
The process of applying for legal permanent residency in Berwyn and across the United States is not the same for every applicant. Generally speaking, the steps an applicant must follow vary based on where the applicant is currently located.
When a person is already living in the United States, they must go through a process known as adjustment of status. This means they alter their legal status from the visa they are currently on and change it to a new immigrant visa. This is common when a person here on a temporary student visa pursues an employment visa that offers lawful permanent residency. The benefit of this approach is that the applicant does not have to leave the country while their application is being processed.
For anyone outside of the country, adjustment of status is not an option. Instead, they must go through something known as the consular process. This process occurs in the applicant’s home country, where they are required to attend an interview at the U.S. consulate.
If you or a loved one are applying for LPR status, it is never a good idea to do so on your own. Even minor errors can derail the visa application process. For best results, get trusted legal help. Reach out to our firm today to learn how our team could assist with applying for legal permanent resident (LPR) status in Berwyn.
