Green card status allows foreign nationals to enjoy a plethora of important rights, such as travel permission, unrestricted employment, and local benefits, such as in-state tuition at many schools. Most people obtain a green card in one of two ways: through either a family-based or employment-based petition.  The family-based route usually requires a U.S. citizen or permanent resident petitioner to sponsor the foreign national based on a qualifying family relationship, such as a parent, spouse, or child relationship.  U.S. citizens may also sponsor brothers or sisters.  The employment-based route normally requires a foreign national to be sponsored by an employer.  Eligibility for an employment-based green card depends upon the type of employer, the job requirements, and the foreign national’s qualifications and experience.  Under some employment-based visa categories, immigrant visas are immediately available.  Some visa categories are oversubscribed, as there are more applicants for visas than there are available visas under statutory caps.  In these categories, even if the immigrant visa petition is approved, the worker will not be able to obtain a green card immediately; instead, he or she must wait for an available visa under the particular visa category.  Please see below for a more detailed description of family-based petitions and employment-based petitions or click on our immigration links on these matters.
Should you have any questions regarding your immigration matters, please contact the experienced immigration attorneys of Smith & Garg at 562-590-7300 or call our toll-free number at 877-517-4275.  You can also submit an inquiry through our Long Beach Immigration Online Inquiry.