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How Do You Explain the Green Card Process?

By Robyn Hagan Cain on July 06, 2012 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Green card marriages happen. The concept seems cliché when used in movies and television shows, yet there are people who turn to sham unions to get citizenship. But while marriage may be what brings two willing parties together today, it’s not a guaranteed path to citizenship or a green card.

If you have an immigration law practice, you’ve probably fielded hundreds of questions about green cards: Do I have to get hitched to get a green card? Does marrying a citizen guarantee citizenship?

(Could a Hollywood do the public a favor by giving a character a green card without making him walk down the aisle?)

If you practice in any other area of the law, you're probably still heard hundreds of immigration law questions.

(People may hate lawyers, but everyone seems to have a question for a lawyer when they want free advice.)

There's a good chance you haven't had time to assemble your own brochure about the green card process for prospective clients or even cocktail party inquisitors. That's okay, FindLaw can help. What's four pages and includes the basics of green cards? The FindLaw Guide to Applying For Your Green Card.

This FindLaw mini-guide includes easy-to-understand green card information on topics like:

  • Who is eligible obtain a green card? Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, other family members of citizens and permanent residents, green card lottery winners and non-citizens seeking asylum or refuge.
  • How do I begin application process? Find a sponsor and file a visa petition.
  • How can I get a green card faster? The process can be time-consuming and complicated, but applicants can avoid unnecessary delays by checking their applications for omissions and errors.

The mini-guide is free and printer-friendly, so print out a few copies and get ready to shed some light on your clients' and friends' green card questions.

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