For many, a green card promises a new beginning in the United States. This legal document grants recipients the right to work and live in the country and pursue work, education, housing, health, and other opportunities. However, before applicants can mark this milestone, they must endure a long, time-consuming, and sometimes complicated application process.
Fortunately, they don’t have to walk this path alone. If you or a loved one wants to apply for permanent resident status, a green card lawyer in Orlando with Bogin, Munns & Munns can help you.
Our legal team’s Orlando immigration lawyers stay current on federal immigration laws and can guide you through the process. Start today with a free consultation about your application and learn what steps you must take next.
What to Know About Getting a Green Card in Orlando
A green card allows non-U.S. residents to legally and permanently live, work, and study in the United States. They can maintain their permanent resident status until they:
- Apply for and complete the naturalization process to become an American citizen; or
- Lose or abandon their status.
The document, also known as a permanent resident card, is generally valid for 10 years. Green card holders can renew their green card when that period expires.
Green Card Holders’ Rights and Responsibilities
Green cards allow holders certain rights. They can:
- Apply for U.S. citizenship after five years (three years for green card holders married to U.S. citizens)
- Receive protection from federal, state, and local laws
- Receive protection from deportation (provided they follow all laws)
- Live and travel anywhere in the United States
- Apply for jobs in the U.S.
- Receive U.S. healthcare
- Access educational programs and apply for federal student financial aid
- Sponsor family members
Green card holders must also meet certain responsibilities. They must:
- Follow all state, local, and federal laws
- File federal and state tax returns
- Register with the Selective Service (applies to males ages 18 to 25)
Green card holders cannot:
- Vote. Only U.S. citizens can vote in elections held in the country.
- Travel abroad for long periods. They cannot live abroad for more than one year, or they will need to apply for a re-entry permit.
- Commit crimes. Those who get involved in criminal activities risk facing deportation and other consequences.
Are All Green Cards the Same?
No. People can apply for various kinds of permanent residence cards, depending on their situation. Each category has its own eligibility criteria.
As the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) explains, applicants can apply for a green card through family, an employment arrangement, refugee or asylee status, or other categories. They can also apply for the card as a special immigrant, such as a religious worker, or as a human trafficking or crime victim.
With so many categories to choose from, it can be confusing to determine which ones you or a loved one qualify for. Our attorneys can review your situation and advise you on which category you should apply for.
To consult with an experienced green card lawyer serving Orlando
(855) 780-9986
How Our Orlando Green Card Attorneys Can Help You Fight for Permanent Residence
Applying for a green card can be a long, complex process. Applicants must fill out forms, attend hearings, and wait to hear back from immigration officials, which are just a few reasons why the process takes time.
Working with an immigration attorney in Orlando who understands your situation and can navigate the immigration system on your behalf can ensure you handle the process properly. With legal representation on your side, you will get advice that specifically addresses your circumstances and concerns.
Our immigration lawyers serving Orlando will:
- Determine the green card you can apply for and explain its eligibility criteria
- Lay out your options as you move forward, even if you are renewing or replacing your green card
- Explain your rights throughout the application process and protect them
- Collect essential documentation to support your petition and application
- Meet all deadlines and timelines for your case
- File and track important legal paperwork for you, ensuring you have the right forms and other documents you need
- Collaborate with your employer or sponsor if your case requires it
- Monitor your case’s status, ensuring your materials are error-free
- Help you prepare for immigration interviews, biometrics appointments, or immigration court appearances
- Regularly update you on your case’s status
We understand that each case differs, so we will do everything we list above and take care of other tasks your case requires. Working with an Orlando green card immigration lawyer will save you time and help you understand what’s going on in your case.
We encourage you to start the process today with a legal professional on our team. Call Bogin, Munns & Munns today for a free consultation. We can discuss your case and the process with you.
Our Orlando Green Card Attorneys Will Use Our 40-plus Years of Experience to Lead Your Case
We know this process can be confusing, but we are here. Bogin, Munns & Munns’ immigration attorneys are committed to helping you and your loved ones with your immigration matters. We have served the Central Florida community since 1979 and work diligently to achieve favorable outcomes for every client we represent.
Here are a couple of testimonials from former clients we have helped:
- “They have been phenomenal. Extremely responsive when I have any questions and very clearly explained the entire process I’d be going through from beginning to end.”
- “Very responsive, experienced and knowledgeable. I appreciate their ability to get everything done in a timely manner. Definitely recommend this firm!”
Our Orlando green card lawyers will go the distance for you and your family from the time we start working on your case until we resolve it. We are ready to work for you.
Orlando Green Card Lawyer Near Me
(855) 780-9986
How Long Does It Take to Get a Green Card?
Applicants’ wait times for a green card will vary according to their situation. Some green cards arrive more quickly than others do. It is reasonable to manage your expectations from the start, which an attorney can help with.
Various factors could delay the process, such as application errors, the number of applications immigration officials must process, missed appointments or hearings, and other unforeseen circumstances.
The USCIS offers more information about application processing times on its website. An Orlando green card attorney from our Central Florida law firm can keep you updated and also advise you throughout the process, another benefit of having a legal professional work on your case.
What Is the Process to Apply for a Green Card in Orlando?
Applying for a green card is a major life milestone, but it can also be a complex process involving strict deadlines, detailed forms, and supporting evidence.
Whether you’re applying through a family member, employment, or another category, it helps to understand what to expect. Below are the general steps you’ll take to become a lawful permanent resident in the United States.
1. Determine Your Eligibility Category
Before you begin, you must confirm which green card category applies to your situation. Common paths include:
- Family–based green cards for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents
- Employment–based green cards for skilled workers, professionals, or investors with job offers or sponsorship
- Refugee or asylee status for those granted asylum or refugee protection in the U.S.
- Special immigrant categories for religious workers, international broadcasters, or victims of abuse or trafficking (VAWA, T visa, or U visa holders)
Our attorneys can help identify which pathway best suits your situation and whether any waiting periods or visa caps apply to your category.
2. File the Appropriate Petition
Once your eligibility is clear, the first filing step begins. Depending on your category:
- Family–based applicants usually have a U.S. citizen or permanent resident sponsor file Form I–130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Employment–based applicants often need their employer to file Form I–140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker).
- In some cases, you may file Form I–360 (Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant) or Form I–526 (Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor).
These petitions are crucial; they establish your relationship to the sponsor and begin your green card case. We will ensure that you file the correct petition.
3. Wait for Visa Availability (If Applicable)
After your petition is approved, you may need to wait for a visa to become available, depending on your category and country of origin. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens usually have no waiting period, but other categories follow the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bulletin, which updates monthly.
Your attorney can track visa availability and explain how long you can expect to wait before taking the next step.
4. File for Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing
Once a visa is available, you will complete your official green card application.
You will either:
- File Form I–485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) if you are already living in the U.S., or
- Complete consular processing through a U.S. embassy or consulate if you are living abroad.
This stage involves paying filing fees, submitting biometrics, and attending medical exams to verify admissibility. We can handle this process on your behalf.
5. Attend Your Biometrics Appointment
USCIS will schedule a biometrics appointment at a local application support center (ASC), usually in Orlando or nearby. During this appointment, officials will take your fingerprints, photograph, and signature to verify your identity and run background checks.
6. Prepare for Your Green Card Interview
After processing your paperwork and background checks, USCIS or a consular officer will schedule an interview.
During the interview:
- You’ll answer questions about your application, background, and eligibility.
- If your relative sponsored you, both you and your sponsor (spouse, parent, or relative) may be interviewed.
- You may be asked to provide additional documents or clarifications.
An Orlando immigration attorney can prepare you for common questions, ensure your documentation is complete, and accompany you to your interview if permitted.
7. Receive a Decision on Your Application
After the interview, USCIS or the U.S. consulate will issue a written decision:
- Approval: You’ll receive your green card in the mail (for U.S.-based applicants) or an immigrant visa to enter the country (for consular applicants).
- Request for Evidence (RFE): If more information is needed, you must respond by the given deadline.
- Denial: If denied, your attorney can evaluate appeal or reapplication options.
8. Maintain Your Permanent Resident Status
Once you have your green card, you must follow certain rules to keep your permanent resident status. This includes:
- Living primarily in the U.S.
- Avoiding criminal activity.
- Renewing your card every 10 years (or every two years for conditional residents).
- Filing taxes and complying with federal, state, and local laws.
Our Orlando green card lawyers can help you understand what to do if you plan to travel, change jobs, or apply for citizenship in the future.
9. Consider Naturalization When Eligible
After holding your green card for three to five years, depending on your situation, you may apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization. Our team can guide you through that process when you’re ready to take the next step.
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Get Help from Our Green Card Lawyers in Orlando
The Orlando green card immigration attorneys at Bogin, Munns & Munns offer a free initial consultation for people who want to obtain their green card. You don’t have to figure out your immigration matter alone. We are ready to put decades of experience toward helping you achieve the outcome you want.
You can call us and check out our frequently asked immigration questions (FAQs) page or reach out to us directly for an answer. Contact us today for legal advice during a free initial consultation.
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