Green Card Attorneys in Houston
Helping Clients Obtain Permanent Residency
Being a global center for opportunity, success, and prosperity, the United States attracts millions of visitors and immigrants every year, hoping to participate in the American dream. In order to provide a means of access while maintaining legal limits and boundaries to residence capacity, the United States offers various forms of documentation and residency to those coming from other countries.
One such type is known as permanent residency, providing the opportunity to work, study and live in the country without either the time limitations of a temporary visa or the irrevocable privileges of full citizenship.
Contact us online or call (832) 514-4030 to discuss your matter with a Houston green card lawyer at The Modi Law Firm, PLLC. We offer services in English, Arabic, Gujurati, and Spanish. Do not hesitate to reach out today!
What Are Green Cards For?
Permanent residency is documented by a green card, which gives its holder rights to enter and exit the country permanently as well as work and live in the United States without a time limit. Green cards are not usually used as a final achievement, but provide the last step before applying for full U.S. citizenship.
Am I Eligible For a Green Card?
To apply for a green card, one must fall into one of these categories:
- Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens: Immediate family members of current U.S. citizenship have first priority for green card qualifications. This includes spouses, unmarried individuals with at least one citizen parent, parents of citizens, as well as stepchildren and adopted children of U.S. citizens.
- Other family members: Any close relations that do not qualify under the category of immediate relatives.
- Preferred employees and workers: Every year, there are 140,000 green cards available to individuals who have vocational skills that are needed for the U.S. market at that time. A job offer is required in order to qualify for these green cards.
- Winner of green card lottery, given by ethnic diversity: There are approximately 50,000 green cards reserved for people wishing to emigrate from countries that have had the fewest immigrants to the United States in recent years.
- Special immigrants: This category varies occasionally to make green cards available to people in special situations. As circumstances change, this category may change as well.
- Refuge and asylum: The United States offers refuge and asylum in the form of green cards to individuals fleeing their home country for fear or reasons concerning persecution.
- Long-time residents: Certain individuals who have resided in the United States undocumented for more than ten years may request permanent residency when facing immigration court proceedings. This remedy is also referred to as "cancellation of removal."
- Special cases: Rarely, individuals belonging to the U.S. Congress may intervene on individual, extraordinary cases, helping someone obtain permanency residency for humanitarian reasons.
Seeking a green card? Call (832) 514-4030 for a consultation with a skilled green card attorney in Houston at The Modi Law Firm.
How Do I Apply for a Green Card Through Family?
Are you already in the U.S. and wish to petition for family members outside of the U.S. to help them obtain their green card? You may do so if you are a citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
You may petition for your:
- Spouse
- Unmarried children (under 21)
- Unmarried son or daughter of any age
To apply, you must:
- File Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative.
- Provide proof that you are a permanent resident or U.S. citizen
- Submit evidence of your relationship, see instructions on Form I-130.
- If you or your family member had any legal name changes, submit proof.
What happens next depends on your situation. If your relative is already in the U.S., they may need to go through an adjustment of status to become a permanent resident. If they are not in the U.S., they will go through consular processing instead.
How to Renew a Green Card in the U.S
The steps to renew your green card are fairly simple, however the process may be different depending on your situation.
Below are the basic steps to renewing a green card:
- Complete the renewal form (Form I-90) online or by mail.
- Collect your supporting documents.
- Pay the fees (if applicable).
- Submit your application and wait for your new green card.
If you are renewing online, you may upload your required support documents and digitally sign your application. If you are doing it by mail, you must provide copies of your support documents and mail it with your application to USCIS.
It typically takes 1 to 12 months for for the application to be processed after USCIS receives your form. Case processing times may be checked online.
Green Card Renewal Costs
Altogether, the cost of renewing a green card is $540. This is how it is broken down:
- Filing fee: $455
- Biometrics appointment fee: $85
If you are eligible, you may apply for a fee waiver. To confirm if you do, reach out to our green card lawyer in Houston.
If you wish to begin the process of becoming a permanent resident of the United States of America, Houston immigration law attorney Susham M. Modi wants to help! Contact our firm today for a paid consultation.
What Sets Our Firm Apart?
Our team of skilled and understanding professionals proudly provides comprehensive and efficient services for all Clients.