Una tarjeta de residencia permanente (Green Card o Tarjeta Verde) le permite viajar a Estados Unidos, permanecer allí de forma indefinida y trabajar en igualdad de condiciones que un ciudadano del país. También le da la oportunidad de solicitar la nacionalidad al cabo de 5 años.
La residencia permanente le aporta seguridad y le ofrece ventajas que no tendría con una visa temporal. Aquí le contaremos todo lo que necesita saber sobre este permiso para que sepa cómo puede obtenerla.
¿Qué es el visado de residencia permanente?
A permanent resident visa in the US is a document that allows you to enter the country and settle regularly. It is provided by the United States Department of State through the United States Embassy or Consulate in your country.
With this permit, you will be able to live, work and study in the United States without a time limit. Once you receive it, you must pay a fee to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to receive the Green Card.
Beneficios de ser residente permanente en EE. UU.
Permanent residence in the USA grants you a wide variety of rights such as:
- Live indefinitely in the United States. The Green card must be renewed every 10 years.
- Settle in any of the states and travel without problem from one to the other.
- Work legally.
- Access educational programs and apply for federal financial aid.
- Apply for public assistance (for example, Social Security benefits).
- Sponsor family members who meet the requirements to obtain a permanent visa or Green Card.
- Buy a house or any other property.
- Open your own business.
- Apply for citizenship after 5 years of being a Green Card holder.
¿Costo del permiso de residencia permanente en USA
The cost of obtaining permanent residency in the United States depends on several factors. Such as the immigration program you choose, the size of your family, where you will live in the United States, and more. For example, with the diversity visa lottery (DV lottery) you will have to pay USD 330 per person on the day of the consular interview.
Additionally, you will need to pay an immigration fee to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which amounts to $220 per person. This cost is for the purposes of the card being issued.
Proceso para solicitar la tarjeta de residencia permanente
To be eligible for a permanent resident visa in the US and depending on the program you choose, you must meet one of the following requirements:
- Have a family member who is a US citizen or holds a Green Card.
- Be sponsored by a US employer.
- Have exceptional abilities or talents.
- Be selected in the diversity visa lottery (DV lottery) program.
The application process varies depending on the immigration program and your individual situation. To give you a general idea, this is the process most applicants go through:
- Someone must file an immigrant petition on your behalf. This is known as sponsoring. In exceptional cases, you can request the request yourself.
- Once USCIS approves the petition, you must submit a Green Card application to USCIS or a visa application to the Department of State.
- After that, you will have to attend a biometric appointment where your fingerprints, photos, and signature will be taken.
- You must attend an interview.
At the end of this process, you will be informed of the final decision on your application for permanent residence in the United States.
Conclusión
The easiest way to obtain permanent residency in the US is through the diversity visa lottery (DV lottery). This is a federal program that allows immigrants born in qualifying countries to enter the United States.
The lottery is exactly what it sounds like. After applying, you will need to wait for applicants to be selected at random. There are 55,000 visas available each year. If you are interested in this option, USAFIS has more than 20 years of experience providing application review and submission services for this lottery.
We provide you with all the support you need and help you prepare your application to the letter. If you are selected, USAFIS will also help you with the immigration process and interview preparation. Are you ready to look for better opportunities in the United States? Sign up here for the next lottery!
Preguntas más frecuentes:
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre una visa y una visa de residente permanente?
The difference between a visa and a permanent resident visa is that the latter gives you the right to live and work in the country for an indefinite period. The first grants you a temporary permit for a specific situation. Normally, to work, study, participate in exchange programs or sporting events.
¿Cuánto dura un permiso de residencia permanente?
The permanent residence visa has an indefinite duration. However, the Green Card must be renewed every 10 years. Additionally, you must meet certain requirements to maintain your permanent resident status. For example, staying in the country as usual. If you spend 12 consecutive months or more abroad, you will need to apply for a re-entry permit. This situation is valid for 2 years.
¿Cuánto cuesta la residencia permanente en USA?
The cost of applying for a permanent residence visa in the United States depends on several factors, such as the immigration program, family size, and where the person resides, whether inside or outside the United States. Additionally, there is an immigration fee of $220 per person that must be paid to USCIS.
¿Qué ocurre si caduca la tarjeta de residente permanente?
If your Green Card expires, your lawful permanent resident status will not change. However, you could have certain problems when taking care of administrative procedures. For example, if you travel outside the United States, you will have difficulty returning. An expired green card will also cause problems when applying for jobs and getting benefits, among other things.
¿Cuánto tiempo se puede permanecer fuera de EE.UU. con la tarjeta de residente permanente?
If you spend 12 consecutive months or more outside the country, you may lose your permanent resident status. The Government interprets such a prolonged absence as an abandonment of your right to remain in the US. Either way, you will have the option of obtaining a re-entry permit. If you stay out of the country after it expires, you may not be allowed back into the United States.
¿Qué ocurre si no renuevo mi tarjeta de residente permanente a tiempo?
If you don’t renew your permanent resident card, you will still be a resident, but you will have some problems dealing with paperwork such as formalizing a work contract, obtaining professional licenses, taking out a loan, or renewing your driver’s license.