Obtaining a green card is a major step in securing your long-term future in the United States. Also known as a Permanent Resident Card, a green card grants you the legal right to live and work in the U.S. on a permanent basis. Whether you’re pursuing a green card through family, employment, or humanitarian grounds, the process can be both exciting and intimidating.
At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we’ve helped thousands of individuals and families across Cleveland, Independence, Columbus, and Oxford, Ohio, achieve legal residency through the U.S. immigration system. Our experienced green card attorneys understand the challenges and complexities of the application process and we’re here to guide you every step of the way. From initial petitions to adjustment of status and consular processing, we ensure your case is handled with diligence and care.
What Is a Green Card and How Can I Obtain One?
A green card is a document issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that grants foreign nationals the right to reside permanently in the U.S. With a green card, you become a lawful permanent resident (LPR), which means you can live, work, travel, and eventually apply for U.S. citizenship.
There are two primary pathways for obtaining a green card:
1. Adjustment of Status
If you are already in the United States on a temporary visa or under certain forms of protection, you may be eligible to adjust your status to lawful permanent residency without having to leave the country. This process is handled through USCIS.
2. Consular Processing
If you are living outside of the United States or are ineligible to adjust status from within the country, you may apply for a green card through a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. This route involves an interview abroad and issuance of an immigrant visa before entering the U.S. as a permanent resident.
The Green Card Process
Obtaining a green card generally involves the following steps:
- Determining Eligibility: Identify the green card category that fits your situation—family-based, employment-based, humanitarian, or diversity lottery.
- Filing the Immigrant Petition: Most applicants need a qualifying sponsor (a family member or employer) to file a petition on their behalf.
- Family-based: Form I-130
- Employment-based: Form I-140
- Humanitarian or self-petitioners may file Form I-360
- Waiting for Visa Availability: Some categories are subject to annual caps and waiting periods. You may need to wait for a visa number to become available, depending on your preference category and country of origin.
- Submitting Adjustment of Status or Completing Consular Processing: If you’re in the U.S., you file Form I-485 for adjustment of status. If you’re abroad, you’ll attend an interview at a U.S. consulate.
- Attending Biometrics and Interview: USCIS may require fingerprints, photographs, and a background check. Most applicants are also scheduled for an interview to verify the details of their application.
- Receiving a Decision: If approved, you’ll be issued a green card. This card is typically valid for 10 years (or 2 years if conditional) and renewable thereafter.
Who Qualifies for a Permanent Resident Card?
There are several categories under which individuals can apply for lawful permanent residency. Each category has specific eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and processing timelines.
1. Family-Based Green Cards
One of the most common ways to obtain a green card is through a qualifying relationship with a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
You may be eligible if:
- You are the spouse of a U.S. citizen
- You are the unmarried child under 21 of a U.S. citizen
- You are the parent of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21
- You are a sibling of a U.S. citizen (preference category)
- You are the spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are not subject to visa caps and generally have faster processing times. Other relatives fall under family preference categories and may experience longer wait times.
2. Employment-Based Green Cards
Foreign nationals with
specialized skills, extraordinary ability, or job offers from U.S. employers may qualify for a green card through employment.
Common employment-based categories include:
- EB-1: Individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors, and multinational executives
- EB-2: Professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability
- EB-3: Skilled workers, professionals, and other workers
- EB-4: Religious workers and certain special immigrants
- EB-5: Investors who invest $800,000 or more and create at least 10 full-time jobs in the U.S.
Many of these categories require a PERM labor certification to show that no qualified U.S. workers are available for the job.
3. Humanitarian-Based Green Cards
Certain individuals may qualify for lawful permanent residence on humanitarian grounds:
- Asylum or Refugee Status: Eligible after one year of being granted asylum or refugee protection
- U Visas: For victims of crimes who assist law enforcement
- T Visas: For victims of human trafficking
- VAWA Self-Petitioners: For abused spouses, children, or parents of U.S. citizens or LPRs
4. Diversity Visa Lottery
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program provides a limited number of green cards each year to individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S. Applicants are selected through a lottery system but must meet education and admissibility criteria.
Green Cards for Immediate Relatives
One of the fastest and most accessible paths to lawful permanent residency is through a qualifying relationship with a U.S. citizen. The immigration system prioritizes applications for immediate relatives, which means these green card applicants are not subject to annual visa caps or long waiting periods.
Immediate relatives include:
- Spouses of U.S. citizens
- Unmarried children under the age of 21 of U.S. citizens
- Parents of U.S. citizens, provided the sponsoring child is at least 21 years old
Because there is no numerical limit on visas in this category, immediate relative petitions are typically processed much faster than other family-based categories. This means qualified applicants can begin the green card process immediately once the petition is approved.
At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we help clients in Cleveland and throughout Ohio prepare strong family-based petitions, ensure required documentation is complete, and guide them through either adjustment of status or consular processing. Whether you're sponsoring a loved one or are the relative seeking residency, our attorneys are here to support your journey toward permanent legal status.
Maintaining Permanent Resident Status
Receiving a green card is a major achievement, but it’s only the beginning of your journey as a lawful permanent resident (LPR) in the United States. Maintaining that status requires ongoing compliance with immigration and federal laws. Failing to meet these responsibilities can jeopardize your legal standing and even result in removal proceedings.
To maintain your green card status, it’s important to:
- Reside primarily in the United States: Long-term or frequent travel abroad can raise questions about your intent to live in the U.S. Absences longer than six months may result in heightened scrutiny, and trips longer than one year could trigger abandonment of residency unless you apply for a reentry permit in advance.
- File U.S. tax returns: As a permanent resident, you are required to file income taxes as a resident, regardless of your country of origin or current residence.
- Avoid criminal activity: Certain offenses, such as fraud, theft, drug-related charges, or crimes of moral turpitude, can result in revocation of your green card and potential deportation.
- Keep your green card valid: Most green cards are valid for 10 years and must be renewed before expiration using Form I-90. Conditional green cards, typically issued through marriage or investment, are valid for 2 years and require timely removal of conditions using Form I-751 or I-829.
Failing to meet any of these obligations could result in being placed in immigration court proceedings. If you’re unsure about your travel plans, tax obligations, or criminal history, our Cleveland immigration attorneys can help you take proactive steps to safeguard your permanent residency.
What to Do If Your Green Card Application Is Denied
A green card denial can be discouraging, but it does not mean your journey is over. At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we work with clients throughout Cleveland and across Ohio to understand why their application was denied and
what steps can be taken next.
Common reasons for denial include:
- Incomplete or inaccurate applications
- Insufficient supporting documentation
- Failure to meet eligibility criteria
- Criminal history or immigration violations
- Public charge concerns or financial issues
- Inadmissibility due to prior deportation orders or fraud
If your application is denied, you may have several options depending on the reason for the denial and your immigration history:
- Motion to Reopen or Reconsider: If you believe your denial was issued in error or you have new evidence, you may be able to request a review of your case.
- Appeal to the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO): In some cases, an official appeal can be filed, though this depends on the nature of the denial.
- Reapplication: If the denial was due to fixable issues, such as missing documents or an expired visa, you may be able to reapply with a stronger case.
- Explore Alternative Immigration Pathways: If a green card is no longer an option through your original category, there may be other routes, such as employment-based options, asylum, or family-based petitions.
Our Cleveland immigration attorneys will carefully review the denial notice, determine the best course of action, and build a legal strategy designed to get your case back on track. Whether that means challenging the decision or pursuing a new pathway, we’re here to help you move forward with confidence.
How Can a Cleveland Immigration Attorney Help?
While applying for a green card may seem like a straightforward process, the reality is often much more complex. Small errors, missing documentation, or eligibility misunderstandings can result in costly delays or denials. That’s why it’s essential to work with an experienced green card attorney who understands the ins and outs of immigration law.
At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we assist clients with every aspect of the green card process, including:
Green Card Strategy and Eligibility Review
We analyze your background, goals, and history to determine the best green card category and application pathway for you. This includes assessing eligibility for family-based, employment-based, or humanitarian routes.
Petition and Application Preparation
We help prepare and file all necessary forms, supporting documents, and cover letters. Our legal team ensures that your application is accurate, timely, and complete.
Interview Preparation and Representation
We prepare you for USCIS or consular interviews, explaining what to expect and how to answer questions confidently. In some cases, we can accompany you to your interview.
Legal Support for Complex Cases
If you’ve previously been denied, overstayed a visa, or have a criminal record, we develop legal strategies to overcome these obstacles, including waivers and motions to reopen.
Ongoing Compliance and Renewal
After receiving your green card, we help you maintain compliance, file for renewal if needed, and prepare for eventual naturalization as a U.S. citizen.
With offices in Cleveland, Independence, Columbus, and Oxford, Ohio, we are available to assist clients throughout the state and across the U.S. We offer compassionate, knowledgeable representation and make sure your case receives the attention it deserves.
In addition to handling employment-based immigration matters, Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez offers skilled representation across a broad spectrum of immigration issues. Our team works closely with individuals and families throughout Cleveland, Ohio and the surrounding communities, offering personalized legal strategies tailored to each client’s unique circumstances. We regularly assist with cases involving:
Whether you are facing a pressing legal issue or planning for your future, our experienced immigration attorneys are committed to protecting your rights and guiding you toward lasting solutions.
Contact Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez for Help Obtaining a Green Card
A green card offers more than just legal status; it provides freedom, opportunity, and the ability to build a secure future in the United States. At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we understand how important this milestone is for you and your family. We’ve helped thousands of clients in Cleveland and beyond achieve permanent residency, and we’re ready to help you too.
Our attorneys are available 24/7 to answer your questions, evaluate your eligibility, and guide you through the process from start to finish. Whether you’re applying for the first time, facing a difficult case, or trying to bring your loved ones to the U.S., we are committed to delivering trusted legal support with results that matter.
Contact our Cleveland immigration attorneys today to schedule your free consultation. We can meet in person, by phone, or via virtual appointment to accommodate your needs. Take the first step toward securing your future; let our experienced team help you obtain the green card you deserve.
