Green Cards
United States lawful permanent residency (LPR) refers to a person’s immigration status: the person is authorized to live and work in the United States of America on a permanent basis.
A United States Permanent Resident Card is an identification card attesting to the permanent resident status of an alien in the United States. It is known as a green card because it had been green in color from 1946 until 1964, and it has reverted to that color since May 2010.
Green card also refers to an immigration process of becoming a permanent resident. The green card serves as proof that its holder, a lawful permanent resident (LPR), has been officially granted immigration benefits, which include permission to reside and take employment in the United States. The holder must maintain permanent resident status, and can be removed from the United States if certain conditions of this status are not met.
Consular Processing
United States consulates and embassies in foreign countries process immigration applications and conduct interviews to determine whether a foreign national may enter the United States and the terms of stay (visas) in the United States. In many cases, it is recommended (or required) for the applicant to travel to his home country and have his application processed at his local U.S. Consulate.
Consular processing is one of the methods that can be used by an individual seeking permanent resident status. An individual who is not in the United States, or for whom Adjustment of Status is not available, can use consular processing to obtain permanent resident status.
The consular approval process can be lengthy and requires appointments, presenting a considerable amount of documentation and applications.
Adjustment of Status
The process of applying for a Green Card while being in the U.S. (e.g with another non-immigrant visa) is called Adjustment of Status.
Immigration Attorneys at Schonfeld & Ushan know the U.S. Immigration system and knows the type of documentation that U.S consulates require. Call (212) 233-1433 or email Schonfeld & Ushan to schedule a consultation.
