Orlando Green Cards Lawyers

Helping Our Clients Obtain Permanent Residency in Florida

Are you dreaming of making the Sunshine State your permanent home? Do you wish to obtain a Green Card and become a lawful permanent resident of Orlando, FL? Look no further than Brown Immigration Law, your premier partner in achieving permanent residency in the beautiful state of Florida. With our extensive knowledge and experience in immigration law, we have successfully guided countless clients through the complex process of obtaining a Green Card in Florida. Schedule a consultation with our Orlando Green Cards lawyers today to get started on your path to residency.

What Is a Green Card?

A Green Card, officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, is a document that grants foreign nationals the status of lawful permanent residents (LPRs) in the United States. It is a valuable and highly sought-after immigration status, as it offers several privileges and benefits, including the ability to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely.

What Are the Benefits of Getting Your Green Card?

• A Green Card signifies that the holder is a legal permanent resident of the United States. This means they have the right to live and work in the country on a permanent basis.
• While Green Card holders are not U.S. citizens, they have the opportunity to apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization after meeting certain requirements, including continuous residence in the U.S. and passing a citizenship exam.
• Green Card holders can travel in and out of the U.S. without the need for a visa. However, they must maintain their primary residence in the U.S. and should not spend extended periods abroad.
• Green Card holders have access to various benefits and social services, such as healthcare, education, and Social Security.
• Green Card holders can work for any U.S. employer without needing a specific work visa or sponsorship.
• Green Card holders can sponsor certain family members for Green Cards, helping them reunite with their loved ones in the U.S.

How to Apply for a Green Card in Orlando

There are several avenues through which individuals can obtain permanent residency (Green Cards) in the United States. The appropriate pathway depends on an individual’s specific circumstances and qualifications.

Here are the most common ways to obtain permanent residency:

• Family-Sponsored Green Cards: U.S. citizens and Green Card holders can sponsor certain family members for Green Cards. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21) have a preference and generally face shorter waiting times.
• Employment-Based Green Cards: Individuals with job offers from U.S. employers may be eligible for employment-based Green Cards. These categories are often based on the type of job, qualifications, and labor market conditions. The employment-based Green Card categories include:
  • EB-1: Priority Workers (e.g., individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors or researchers, multinational managers or executives).
  • EB-2: Advanced Degree Professionals or Persons with Exceptional Ability.
  • EB-3: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Unskilled Workers (Employment-based third preference).
  • EB-4: Special Immigrants (e.g., religious workers, certain international broadcasters, and employees of U.S. foreign service posts).
  • EB-5: Immigrant Investors (investing a specified amount in a new commercial enterprise that creates jobs in the U.S.).
• Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery: The Diversity Visa Program, commonly known as the Green Card lottery, is an annual program that randomly selects individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S. Winners of the lottery have the opportunity to apply for Green Cards.

In addition, individuals may be granted Green Cards through the following less common paths:

• Refugee or Asylee Status: Refugees and asylees granted protection in the U.S. may apply for Green Cards after a certain period of residence.
• Special Programs: There are specific programs that may lead to Green Cards, such as the Cuban Adjustment Act for Cuban nationals, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) for certain abused spouses and children, and the Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) for certain immigrant children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected. The NACARA (Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act) and the HRIFA (Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act) may also be a path to residency for certain nationals of designated countries.
• Registry: Individuals who have continuously resided in the U.S. since before January 1, 1972, and meet other requirements may be eligible for Green Cards through the registry program.

Why You Want an Orlando Immigration Lawyer for Green Card Applications

The Green Card application process can be complex and challenging, with potential pitfalls that may delay or even jeopardize your chances of obtaining permanent residency. The Orlando Green Card attorneys at Brown Immigration Law know what those pitfalls are, and take a proactive approach to helping you so we can avoid them whenever possible. You can rely on us for:

• Document Preparation: Preparing the required documents and evidence to support your Green Card application can be overwhelming. Our experienced attorneys can assist you in gathering and organizing the necessary paperwork to ensure a smooth application process.
• Meeting Deadlines: Missing important deadlines in the Green Card application process can lead to delays or even denial. Our team in Orlando will help you stay on top of all deadlines and ensure your application is submitted correctly and on time.
• Dealing with RFEs: If USCIS issues a Request for Evidence (RFE), it’s important to respond promptly and adequately. Our attorneys have extensive experience in addressing RFEs and can help strengthen your application.
• Appealing Denials: In the unfortunate event of a Green Card application denial, our firm can assist you in appealing the decision and exploring alternative options for obtaining permanent residency.

Our team of dedicated Orland Green Cards attorneys know the laws. We are well-versed in the intricacies of the Florida immigration system and have a deep understanding of the unique challenges that may arise during the Green Card application process in the state.

Frequently Asked Questions About Green Cards in Orlando

How much does an Orlando immigration lawyer cost for a Green Card?

Green Card immigration lawyers may charge a flat fee or hourly fee to handle a Green Card application. Every application is unique, as the government will look at your specific circumstances to determine whether to grant permanent residence. You can discuss the exact fees when you meet with a Green Card lawyer.

How much time does it take to get a Green Card?

The timeline for obtaining a Green Card depends on the grounds and where the application was filed. If you filed your application in the U.S., your wait may be less than a year. If you applied while overseas, you may have to wait longer than a year.

The grounds will also affect your wait. Siblings and parents of citizens or Green Card holders typically have to wait longer than spouses. After your lawyer files your application, you can track its status online.

Do you need a Green Card to get a job?

You must have authorization to work in the United States, but a Green Card isn’t the only option. Some immigrant and non-immigrant visas also allow you to get a job in the U.S. Moreover, a prospective employer cannot discriminate between permanent residents and visa holders based solely on their immigration status.

Do I need a lawyer to renew my Green Card?

If you turned 14, changed your name, or moved after receiving a Green Card, you may need to get a new one rather than a renewal. Additionally, if you were granted conditional status, you must file a petition before your Green Card expires to remove the conditions and renew your Green Card.

If you aren’t making changes, you can renew it without a Green Card attorney.

How long can I stay outside of the U.S. with a Green Card?

There’s no specific time limit for foreign travel after obtaining a Green Card. However, longer stays may imply that you don’t intend to make the U.S. your permanent home, jeopardizing your immigration status.
Consider applying for a reentry permit before leaving on trips longer than one year to avoid the need for an entry visa and showcase your intent to return to the U.S. as your primary residence.

What’s the five (5) year rule for Green Cards?

The five-year rule refers to the period that permanent residents must usually wait before applying for citizenship.

Anyone over 18 who has obtained a Green Card and lived continuously in the U.S. for at least five years is eligible to become a naturalized citizen. However, that isn’t the only time requirement. You must have lived in the same state for at least three months and been in the U.S. for at least 30 months during the five years before applying.

Can an Orlando Green Card attorney expedite my application?

Requests to expedite immigration applications are limited to a few circumstances. If you satisfy these conditions, a lawyer for Green Card applicants can request expedited processing.

Even if you don’t fall into one of these categories, a Green Card application lawyer may be able to speed up the process by ensuring that your application is properly prepared and documented and filing timely responses to any requests for additional information.

What happens if my visa expires while my Green Card application is pending?

If your visa expires after you file a Green Card application, you can remain in the U.S. by pursuing an adjustment of status. This process allows you to stay where you are rather than returning to your home country to obtain a new visa or renew the expired one.

The adjustment-of-status process is fairly complex and can vary depending on your immigration category. Consider speaking to a lawyer, as remaining in the U.S. after your visa expires is a serious offense that can jeopardize your Green Card application.

Do Green Card holders get a Social Security number?

Yes. Green Card holders receive a Social Security number (SSN). However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn’t automatically grant numbers upon approving a Green Card. Instead, you must apply for a number with the SSA. You can file an SSN application with your Green Card application.

Do I need to carry my Green Card with me all the time?

Yes. U.S. law requires permanent residents to carry their Green Card at all times.

Do You Have a Green Card Attorney Near Me?

Brown Immigration Law’s Orlando office is located in the Thornton Park area at 11 N Summerlin Avenue, Suite 225B, on the corner of E. Central Blvd. There’s plenty of onsite parking, and there’s a bus stop across the street. We’re close to the 408. We also have an office in Tampa as well as in Durham, NC, Columbus, OH and Cleveland, OH.

Contact the Orlando Green Cards Lawyers of Brown Immigration Law

Gaining lawful permanent residence unlocks many benefits of residing in the U.S. and serves as the first step to naturalized citizenship. The attorneys at Brown Immigration Law have a century of combined legal experience helping aspiring Americans navigate the complex immigration system. Contact us to discuss your case with our Orlando Green Card lawyers.