PERMANENT RESIDENCY CASES ("Green Cards")

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When you become a legal permanent resident, then you are granted a card, commonly called a “Green Card." There are a number of paths you can become a legal permanent resident through a family member, employment, or other ways.

1. Family: A US citizen or legal permanent resident family member files a petition for you. Based on this petition, you may proceed to apply for green card. Depending on the relationship between you and the petitioning family member, it may take 4 months or longer than 20 years from filing the petition until you can become a legal permanent resident.
   
   
2. Special Options for Victims of Domestic Violence: If you are a victim of domestic violence and the petitioner of your green card application is the abuser, you may file a green card application for yourself without relying on the abuser. Please see ‘Victims of Domestic Violence’ page for more details.
   
3. Employment: Your employer may sponsor your green card petition. This route normally starts with the filing of a labor certification with the Department of Labor. When the labor certification is certified, your employer may then file a petition for you. You may then proceed to apply for a green card; however, depending on the type of employment position and your employment requirement/duties it may take 6 months or longer than 20 years from filing of labor certification until you get a green card.
   
4. Employment – Labor Certification not required: Some specific occupations (such as nurses or physical therapists) are ‘pre-certified’ which means no labor certification is required. Labor certification is also waived for some employment-based categories such as the extraordinary alien category or the exceptional ability category.
   
5. Other individuals may become permanent residents through refugee or asylee status or other humanitarian programs.

BENNU can help you become a legal permanent resident and obtain your Green Card. We will review the details of your case to determine the best route for you and help you process your case. To begin, simply contact us today to schedule a consult with a member of our experienced legal team.

BENNU is a non-profit legal services organization. The services we provide are priced according to your means. After scheduling a consultation with us, we will perform a means assessment to determine if you qualify for a lower rate or pro-bono service.