A green card does not make you a citizen, but it does allow you to live permanently in the United States. You can then pursue citizenship, if you would like, or you can simply keep your status under the green card for as long as it applies.
If you’re looking at the green card as the first step, and you’re also considering immigrating to the United States for work, your question may be whether or not your employer can help you get that green card. Perhaps you’ve even been offered a job by an American company that wants to bring in outside talent. To make it possible for you to take the job, you need a green card, so what steps need to be taken?
Your employer can sponsor you
The good news is that yes, your employer can sponsor you to get a green card. A prospective employer can also do this, per the USCIS. When an employer sponsors you, this gives your application a lot of strength because it shows that there’s a valid reason for you to immigrate and demonstrates that you will be financially successful upon arrival. It doesn’t guarantee the green card will be granted, but it helps. Your employer can sponsor you by starting with the Department of Labor’s Application for Permanent Labor Certification.
How soon will you get the green card?
When you apply for a green card, it essentially puts you in line. You’re not the only individual who is trying to obtain one, and the process can take time.
But when you have an employer-sponsored application, it’s been given a priority date. This date is assigned based on when that certification is turned in to the DOL or when the petition is filed on your behalf. Therefore, as soon as the employer knows that they do want to give you the job on a permanent basis, it’s advantageous for them to start the process. This will mean that you get your green card as soon as possible. But it is also important to know that you will not get it instantly.
What should you do next?
Seeking a green card can be the first step to creating the life you want for yourself. It can allow you to live without worry in the United States and take a job that is important to your career. Make sure you know what steps you need to take to make this happen.