How to obtain a residence permit in the USA in 2021

General information about the country: economy, population, standard of living, statistics on migrants

The US economy is one of the most developed. Economic processes occurring in the country have a significant impact on the whole world. A very low unemployment rate, which tends to constantly decrease, and rising incomes attract a large number of migrants to the territory.

According to statistics, America's population is growing steadily. As of January 2021, its number was over 330 million people. Much of the population growth is due to large numbers of immigrants. On average, there are 34 people for every square kilometer of area.

The number of immigrants to the United States has increased significantly in recent years. Moreover, for every person who arrived legally, there is at least one illegal person. The current government's migration policy is primarily aimed at limiting the number of refugees from Central and South America. The attitude towards citizens of other countries is more loyal.

The bulk of migrants come from Mexico and Latin America. The Mexican diaspora is one of the largest communities in the country.

Winning the international green card lottery

The lottery is free and takes place annually. The computer randomly selects 50 thousand applicants for a residence permit. There are only two requirements for applicants.

1. Be a citizen of one of the countries allowed to participate. Traditionally, these are states with low levels of migration to the United States. But representatives of Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Mexico and some other countries are not allowed to participate.
2. Having completed secondary education or two years of confirmed work experience (out of the last five years) in a highly qualified specialty.

There are no other age or professional restrictions. The level of knowledge of English is also unimportant.

Winning the lottery does not mean getting a green card. Winners will have to undergo an interview at the embassy, ​​prove the absence of serious infectious and mental illnesses, and also provide police certificates.

Important. The only official lottery website is www.dvlottery.state.gov. The status of applications is also checked there (no one sends notifications if they win). Check the list of documents required for the interview in the appropriate section on the website of the US Embassy in the Russian Federation.

Stages of obtaining a residence permit in the USA

To obtain a residence permit in the United States, you must go through the following steps:

1. Collect a package of documents. The specific list depends on the basis for immigration.
2. Prepare an application for the immigration service.
3. Submit materials for review with acknowledgment of delivery.
4. Receive official notification from the service that the case has been accepted for consideration. It must indicate the approximate period of consideration and contact information by which you can find out about the status of the case at any time.
5. Wait for an answer.

It should be taken into account that during the examination the migration service may request additional documents. On average, the registration procedure will take about 6-8 months.

How to obtain a residence permit in the USA?

Conventionally, the process of obtaining a residence permit in the USA can be divided into stages. The number of documents and actions required depend on the chosen migration option. But the following steps should be followed:

• collect all necessary documents;
• write an application for the immigration service;
• send the papers for further consideration and wait for a notification with a response;
• After the case is accepted for consideration, the applicant receives a notification. It indicates the approximate date for completion of the process and a contact phone number where you can ask questions;
• wait for an answer.

The applicant must be prepared for the fact that while working on the case, the migration service may ask for additional documents. The average time for processing documents is 6-8 months.

Documents for obtaining a residence permit

The list of required documents will depend on which method of obtaining a residence permit in the United States an immigrant chooses. Below is a list of papers that will be required regardless of the method:

• Visa photo. The card size must be at least 5x5, in color, with a matte finish and a white background. Glasses, hats, scarves, etc. are prohibited in the photo.
• Vaccination is mandatory. You must provide a certificate of vaccination against influenza, hepatitis A and B, measles, mumps, polio, whooping cough, chickenpox, rotavirus, and tetanus. If vaccinations were done according to the schedule long before submitting the application, then you must provide certificates certified by the hospital.
• The medical examination is performed only in a US-accredited immigration clinic. First you need to prepare 5 photos measuring 3x4, an extract with vaccinations and an international passport.

The following documents are additional:

• For studying at the university: school completion certificate, B2 level certificate (confirmation of English language proficiency), recommendations. When applying for a bachelor's degree, you will need to pass the SAT/ACT exams, and for a master's degree - GRE/GMAT. It is also necessary to prepare a passport, an application on form DS-160, a photo, an invitation letter, certificates of passing international and entrance exams, certificates of having a cash account, and copies of a visa.
• To get married, you must fill out the DS-160 form, a foreign passport, a birth certificate, a certificate of no criminal record, and a certificate from the bank about the existence of an account.
• When applying for employment, you must present documents confirming your education, a work book, and a request from the employer.
• Before immigrating, an investor must show evidence of his contribution to the US economy, documents for business, real estate, and the like.
• If you plan to reunite with your family, then you need to prepare a marriage or birth certificate.
• To take part in the lottery and receive a green card, you will need to register on the official website. If you win, you must submit an application and all documents required for a work or family visa.
• To apply for refugee status, you must present passports, a birth certificate and evidence that the applicant cannot be protected in his homeland. Forms I-589 (for the candidate) and I-730 (for family members) will be required.

Deadlines for obtaining a residence permit

To obtain a visa, you will need to pay a consular fee and paperwork costs. The amount varies depending on the type of residence permit or visa:

• for students - $160;
• those who won the lottery - $330;
• family reunion - $345;
• for those getting married - $160;
• under an employment contract - $345.

The application is considered from 3 months to a year or even more. Depending on the type of visa. The longest processing time for those who win a green card.

A temporary green card has a validity period of 2 years, and a permanent one or one received as a result of a drawing is issued for 10 years and can be extended. Upon employment, a temporary residence permit in the United States is issued, valid for 2 years and after which you can apply for citizenship. The situation is the same with marriage: after a year of marriage, the couple undergoes verification, and 3 months before the expiration of the card, they can apply for citizenship.

How to extend a residence permit?

The question of how to extend the validity of a residence permit in the United States worries those who have already settled in the country and plan to stay for a long period. It is best to start the renewal process 6 months before the card expires. The conditions under which an application is required are described below:

• There is a green card available and its validity period ends in six months.
• There is a card, but without a deadline.
• The card was discovered missing or damaged.
• There was an error in the information provided on the green card, for example in the spelling of the first or last name.
• During the validity period of the card, changes have occurred to the owner's name or surname.
• The owner has the status of a person who has the ability to cross the US border.

To extend the validity period of the card you must:

• Issue Form I-90.
• Pay the fees. You can pay online and send a check to the US immigration office.
• Send additional documents.
• Sign and return Form I-90.

You can send the form online or by mail to the Citizenship Service. But since 2015, everything is done online, and even if the documents were sent by mail, the Service employee will create an account for the applicant and correspondence will be conducted through it.

Once a renewal request has been submitted, you will have to wait for a notification confirming acceptance of the application. Also, if you need to provide additional information, you will receive a notification by email. The decision on extension is published online on the Service’s website and duplicated by email to the applicant. The whole process takes about 2-3 months.

If you do not renew the card on time, there will be no fines, but difficulties may arise with leaving and entering the country. Also, cardholders whose validity has expired cannot renew their driver's licenses or get a new job.

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Procedure for entering the country and obtaining visas

To enter America you will need a passport with a visa attached to it. If the document is expired, but the permit is still valid, you can enter the country. The main thing is to have your old and new passport with you. In this case, all data in the documents must completely match.

When passing through customs, the fingerprints of those entering are scanned. If they do not match those included in these visas, entry will be denied. Additionally, when checking a passport, standard questions are asked:

• Purpose of the visit. It must match the one indicated when applying for the visa.
• Duration of stay.
• Planned pastime. It is not necessary to describe everything in detail; you could say a vacation, sightseeing, or a visit to relatives.

So that customs control officers do not have suspicions or additional questions, you should answer without excessive emotionality and details.

USA visa

Visa procedure

All issued visas are divided into 2 large groups: short-term and long-term. The first are intended for tourist and guest trips, the second - for immigration. To obtain a visa you will need the following documents:

• Current passport.
• Old passport or its copy. Provided only if you have previously issued visas to the USA, Schengen countries or the UK.
• A paper confirming the completion of the electronic version of the application form.
• Receipt for payment of the fee.
• Photo.

The consulate may also require a number of additional documents. Moreover, they can be in both Russian and English; there is no need to translate them.

The date of the visit to the consulate is agreed upon in advance. Registration is carried out through the electronic resource of the official representative office of the diplomatic mission. You must visit the consulate on the appointed date. After biometrics, the applicant undergoes an interview. This is one of the most important and main stages on the way to obtaining a visa. When answering questions, you should not get confused or worry. If an employee has doubts during the interview, he has the right to refuse to issue a visa or request a number of supporting documents.

The processing time for papers can take up to 1 month. It all depends on the workload of the consulate staff. Information about visa readiness is available on the website of a special information resource. It is sent via courier service.

Visa regime in the USA

Citizens of some countries are eligible to enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. However, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan are not its participants. Therefore, immigrants from these countries need to take care of a visa.

Types of visas

You can cross American borders only with a visa - immigrant or non-immigrant.

Nonimmigrant visas are only suitable for temporary stay in the country. They are divided into several subtypes, depending on the purpose of the trip. The most common:

• Visa for business and tourist trips (B1/B2)
• Student visas (F, M)
• Work visas (H, L, O, P, Q, R)
• Exchange Visas (J)
• Transit and Crew Visas (C1/D)
• Visas for journalists and media workers (I)
• Domestic support visas (B1, A3, G5)

The full list can be found on the US State Department website. Each of them requires its own package of documents, but everywhere they require those that confirm the purpose of arrival, connections with Russia and previous trips abroad (old passports, documents on income and property).

Other requirements depend on the grounds for issuance. For example, to obtain a student visa, you must submit an approved Form I-20 from your school or university, as well as proof of payment of a fee. Service personnel will need a copy of the employer's visa (or, if a US citizen, a copy of their passport) and a work contract for the duration of the trip.

The requirements for the package of documents for each visa category can be found on the official information resource of the US Diplomatic Mission in Russia.

Methods and grounds for obtaining a residence permit

A residence permit in America for Russians can be obtained in several ways. Each of them implies the presence of certain grounds.

Contract job

An employee visa also allows you to live in the United States. If it is available, the applicant can freely enter and exit the country. This is one of the fastest ways to immigrate to the United States. In addition, all close relatives are granted the same rights. A special feature of this visa is that changing employers during its validity period is prohibited.

To register, the following conditions must be met:

• the employer must officially confirm the fact of hiring;
• the employer must have a permit to employ a foreign citizen;
• The employee must have a diploma confirming his qualifications.

Sometimes, as an exception, a diploma can be replaced by a document indicating work experience. Initially, the visa is issued for 3 years. In the future, it can be extended for another 6 years.

Marriage and family reunion

You can obtain a residence permit in the United States if you have a “fiancé visa.” It is issued for marriage with an American citizen. Its validity period is only 3 months. During this period, newlyweds must officially register their relationship. But even after this, the immigration service has the right to conduct checks. Spouses may also be invited to a special interview. To obtain a “fiancé visa” you need the following:

• confidently know the language;
• find a US citizen bride or groom with an annual income of at least $30,000;
• prepare a package of documents – a full list of them can be found on the embassy’s website.

On average, the registration procedure will take 4-5 months. These periods can be reduced if you use the services of specialized services. Getting married is one of the easiest ways to obtain a residence permit.

Family reunification is another basis for immigration to the United States. At the same time, current American legislation divides all relatives into 2 groups: immediate and other. The first includes parents, spouses and children under 21 years of age. The second category includes children over 21 years of age, siblings.

Applying for a family reunification visa begins with filing a petition. It is made up of a relative who is a US citizen. In the petition, he asks to provide a residence permit for the invitee. Additionally, you will need to attach documents indicating the financial well-being of the future immigrant. If they are not available, you can use the “Affidavit of Support”. This is a kind of guarantee of an American citizen who undertakes to help his foreign relatives financially. Once the petition is approved, an interview date is set.

Investments in the economy

The basis for obtaining a residence permit in the United States is investment in business. The right to receive it is granted upon investments of at least $1 million. After reviewing the package of documents, a residence permit is issued for a period of 2 years. In order for the green card to be renewed, in addition to investments, 10 jobs will need to be created.

You can invest even less. If the business project will be implemented in the so-called target region, it is enough to invest $500,000. Investment of funds should be carried out through special regional centers. Their full list is available on the immigration service website.

It should be borne in mind that the business will be constantly checked for the legality of investments. You also need to be prepared for the fact that you will periodically have to provide documents confirming the payment of taxes in Russia.

Political refuge

Methods for obtaining a residence permit in the United States include the provision of political asylum. The legality of entry into the country and current status do not matter. The main thing is that the period of stay in America does not exceed 12 months. You can ask for asylum right at the border, but you should be prepared to spend some time in prison. First, an immigration court must take place, which will decide whether to grant asylum or deportation to your homeland.

Persons who are persecuted on the following grounds can count on receiving political asylum:

• religious;
• racial;
• political;
• due to belonging to certain social groups.

In all other cases, political asylum is not granted.

Return of permanent resident status

If a green card holder leaves American territory for more than 1 year, he will need a special visa to return. To be reinstated as a permanent resident, you will need to justify the reason for your absence and document the previously issued residence permit.

When drawing up an application, it is very important to indicate the objective reasons for living outside the country. Additionally, you will need to provide a copy of a previously issued green card. The applicant will then have two interviews. The first will consider the reasons for absence. At the second stage, the issue of restoring the residence permit will be decided.

Residence permit when purchasing real estate

The purchase of real estate in America in itself does not give the right to receive a green card. Buying a house can only serve as an indirect confirmation of wealth, which greatly simplifies the process of obtaining a visa. In addition to those described above, there are other ways to obtain a residence permit. For example, the annual lottery. According to this program, 50,000 green cards are awarded annually. Registration of participant applications is carried out on the State Department website. The drawing takes place by random selection from among the applicants. In this way, any Russian can obtain a residence permit. Minimum requirements for candidates:

• no criminal record;
• availability of a certain financial income;
• absence of dangerous infectious diseases.

It is worth noting that winning the lottery alone does not guarantee receiving a green card. If the winner does not meet the requirements of US law, the application will be denied.

Opening your own business

A residence permit in the United States for Russians can be obtained when opening their own business. A visa is provided for opening a subsidiary company. In this case, it is necessary to have a business in Russia with 5 or more hired employees, and the company itself must have operated for at least 1 year. There are no restrictions on the type of activity, the main thing is that it is not prohibited at the legislative level. Upon receipt of a positive decision, a visa is initially issued for a period of 1 year with the right to further extension. You can apply for a residence permit only after 3 years of successful activity.

Immigration methods

There are several options to immigrate to the country and obtain US residency. To choose the most suitable one for yourself, you need to familiarize yourself with them:

• Marriage to a citizen of the country or a green card holder. After this, you can send documents and an application to the Migrant Affairs Service and answer all questions during the interview. The nuance of marriage is that you will constantly have to certify that it is not fictitious. After a year of marriage, you can apply for a residence permit in the United States. However, if during the interviews it turns out that the union is not real, then the migrant may be judged.
• Job invitation. The call is made by the employer. For these purposes, an H-1B visa is issued for one year, after which it can be extended. However, you will need to prove your professional qualifications, after which a company representative will submit an application for a green card to a foreigner. Employees of a foreign company, investors, partners from a foreign branch and exchange students can also come by invitation. After submitting an application for a green card, the applicant is checked by the migration service. If all conditions are met and the documents are correctly completed, a permit is issued.
• Through a lottery, as a result of which a green card is issued. Many countries participate in such an event. For Russians, the lottery is held annually. Only those who are over 18 years old, live in the country participating in the drawing, have no dangerous diseases, have no criminal record, etc., can take part. An application for participation must be posted on the official website. You will need to enter data into the application form, collect the required documents, complete a medical examination and attend an interview. If you win, the lottery participant is invited to the United States to apply for a green card.
• Investing is very popular in the USA, as well as among European countries. It is necessary to make a contribution to the economic development of the country from 500 thousand dollars in the designated sectors that the government of the country has allocated. The method is suitable for large business owners who are ready to expand, since after opening their business in the United States, they will need to provide 10 jobs to citizens of the country and pay taxes on time. It is impossible to cheat with this method, since all monetary transactions are verified. If violations are discovered, a large fine is imposed. For Russians who are financially secure, there is an option to obtain a residence permit in the United States by purchasing real estate.

These are the most common options for obtaining a residence permit in the USA, but there are also less popular ones. For example, if it is proven that a foreigner, having a non-traditional sexual orientation, is persecuted in his homeland or his life is in danger. Political aspects are also taken into account, but it will be necessary to prove that the applicant specifically is being oppressed, and the government of his home country cannot protect him.

For those who witnessed a crime or were its victim, there is a victim visa. The American government accommodates those wishing to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and provides residence permits in exchange for information. If you are granted a residence permit in the United States as humanitarian assistance, you will not be required to pay a consular fee. These cases do not require the acquisition of real estate or the provision of evidence of bank accounts.

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Procedure for obtaining a residence permit

The first stage of obtaining a US residence permit is obtaining a visa. To do this, you need to decide on its type. Based on this, a certain list of documents is formed.

Where and with what documents to apply

You can get detailed advice on the necessary documents and registration procedures at the immigration department of the embassy. Residents of Crimea should contact the Kiev embassy. In this case, it is necessary to prepare a standard set of documents:

• passports: Russian and foreign;
• metric;
• a document confirming the submission of the application form;
• receipt of payment of the fee;
• documents confirming income level.

The set of remaining papers depends on the basis for obtaining a residence permit.

Terms and cost of registration

The cost of obtaining a residence permit consists of the consular fee paid upon receipt of the visa. Its size is $190. The average time to obtain a residence permit is 6-8 months. Of these, about 30 days will be spent on obtaining a visa.

Validity and renewal

A green card is issued for 10 years. After this, it must be extended. There is a fine for violations of immigration conditions. You can apply for a green card renewal six months before the expiration date. To do this, fill out a special form I-90. You can submit documents for renewal online or by regular mail.

If the green card holder is outside the United States at the time of expiration, you can contact the nearest consulate to apply. You can track the status of your application on the official website.

If an extension is refused, you can exercise your right to appeal. When submitting documents, you must provide maximum evidence demonstrating the illegality of the refusal.

Refusal of a residence permit: reasons, what to do

There are many reasons for refusing to issue a green card. The most common are:

• For health. For example, the applicant did not provide information about vaccinations or he was diagnosed with a mental illness that is dangerous to others.
• Because of his criminal history. This includes political crimes and misdemeanors committed before the age of 18.
• If the applicant has violated US laws.
• If there is a suspicion of a threat to national security.
• If the citizen’s stay is likely to have a negative impact on foreign policy.
• Possibility of potential dependency.

However, in some cases, a green card can be obtained as an exception. In case of refusal, documents can be resubmitted. But before that, it is necessary to carefully analyze all the reasons. Each immigrant's case is considered individually. Perhaps there were errors in the application form, and therefore the request for a green card was rejected.

Professional activities/investments (E)

This type of visa is divided into several subtypes. Let's look at the most common ones.

EB-1 for priority workers

These include individuals with unique abilities, outstanding scientists and teachers, major managers, and heads of international companies.

For the last group there are certain requirements. Firms - foreign and American - must have established business relationships (subsidiary, branch, head office, etc.). In addition, the company must be present on the US market for at least a year.

The applicant must have worked in a foreign office of a principal, subsidiary, or affiliate of a U.S. employer for at least one year within the past three years. It is important that in the USA he holds a managerial position.

You can obtain an EB-1 by changing your visa regime (if the immigrant already lives in the United States) or by contacting the consulate in your country of residence. The employer must submit Form I-140 (Petition for Alien Workers) and a cover letter of employment to USCIS.

EB-5 for investors in their own business or in a US regional center project

You can invest in both a new and an existing commercial enterprise in the United States, as well as in regional center (RC) projects, creating at least ten jobs for qualified employees.

If the project is not located in an area with a low level of employment or in a rural area (targeted employment area - TEA), the investment size should be from $1.8 million. For projects in the TEA area, the requirements for investment volume are lower - from $900 thousand. In five - for seven years the money is returned if the project is successful (in this case the applicant bears business risks).

To participate in the program, the applicant must not have committed any offenses, and he must also confirm the legal origin of the funds.

Every year, the American authorities allocate 10 thousand quotas for this type of visa (both investors and members of their families are taken into account).

Read more about the nuances of obtaining an investor visa in the material at the link. Check the list of documents required for the interview in the appropriate section on the website of the US Embassy in the Russian Federation.

E-2 – long-term visa for investors and entrepreneurs

Designed for those who do not plan to move to America, but want to open a business there. Therefore, one of the main conditions is to indicate the intention to return to your homeland after completion of the project.

The entry amount is not prescribed by law, but according to the experience of lawyers, it is relatively low - from $100 thousand. This money needs to be invested in a functioning and efficient business. The visa must be renewed every two years, and this can be done during the entire period that the company is in operation.

It is important to understand that it is impossible to obtain a green card with this visa, regardless of how long the investor has lived with it in the United States. However, if the business gains momentum, this may provide grounds for switching to an EB-5 immigrant visa.

And one more serious limitation: E-2 visas are not issued to Russian citizens.

Ways to immigrate to the USA

USA Long-term visa to the USA for businessmen, managers and valuable specialists L-1 Duration of receipt: 2 months. Expenses from $5,000

USA Long-term US visa for investors and entrepreneurs E-2 Duration of receipt: 4 months. Expenses from $100,000

USA US residence permit by investment - EB-5 Receipt period: 31 months. Expenses from $900,000

USA Green card in the USA for a qualified specialist EB-2 Receipt time: 1 month. Expenses from $5,000

USA Long-term US visa for persons with extraordinary abilities O-1 Duration of receipt: 3 months. Expenses from $5,000

USA Green card in the USA for talented professionals, businessmen, managers EB-1 Deadline for obtaining: 8 months. Expenses from $5,000

Residence permit for citizens of the Russian Federation and other CIS countries

Ukrainians, Kazakhstanis, Belarusians, as well as residents of other CIS countries apply for a green card in the same way as Russians. The same grounds for obtaining a residence permit apply to them. They can take advantage of an invitation from relatives, win the lottery, get married, or receive political asylum. To do this, they need to visit the US consulate in their country and apply for an immigrant visa. It is worth noting that a green card does not give the right to visa-free entry into the territory of European countries or any other countries.

Reasons for obtaining a green card

Immigrant visas are for people interested in permanent residence in the country and becoming a US resident.

In fact, an immigrant visa is the first step towards a green card (officially called United States Permanent Resident Card), an analogue of a permanent residence permit. This identity card gives a foreigner equal rights with a citizen of the country. The only exception is the right to vote in elections.

There are several ways to obtain a resident card. Most of them are traditional collection of documents and justification of goals. And only one way - the lottery - is just a matter of chance, luck. Below are details about obtaining a green card on various grounds.

Advantages and disadvantages of a US residence permit

The quality of life in the USA is at a decent level. The American cost of living is significantly higher than the Russian one. The advantages of living in America include the following:

• high-quality and affordable products;
• the ability to quickly adapt to the language environment;
• well-developed infrastructure;
• opportunity for employment or running your own business;
• low level of corruption.

In addition to the positive aspects, there are also negative aspects, including high taxes, paid healthcare and education, as well as the need for a mortgage.

Visa benefits for purchasing real estate

The purchase of real estate itself does not provide any benefits when obtaining an American visa. However, such investments can help you obtain a business visa.

For example, as mentioned above, to obtain an investor visa (EB-5), you need to invest at least $900 thousand in the project and create ten jobs. Such a project could be commercial real estate, for example a hotel, that employs at least ten people.

Examples of real estate in the USA

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Rights and obligations of a residence permit holder

A residence permit in the United States gives its holder the right to permanent residence in the country, and also allows multiple entries and exits. However, you cannot leave America for more than 1 year. A residence permit also gives you other rights:

• acquire real estate and dispose of it at will: sell or rent out;
• work on equal terms with US citizens;
• when inviting relatives, use the simplified procedure for obtaining a residence permit;
• receive social benefits and enjoy the provided benefits.

In addition to rights, green card holders also have certain responsibilities:

• To maintain status, you must live in the United States for at least 6 months a year.
• Strict compliance with all immigration laws. Otherwise, the green card may be revoked.
• If you change your place of residence, you must notify the immigration service within 10 days.

The advantages of an American residence permit for an immigrant are obvious. The only thing that a green card holder is not allowed to do is participate in elections. The rights and restrictions described above apply to visitors from all countries.

PROCESS OF REGISTRATION OF US RESIDENCE PERMIT:

Without knowing the intricacies of American legislation, you should not purchase real estate or businesses on your own. There is a high risk of falling for scammers. Therefore, you need to choose intermediaries, fortunately, today there is the Internet where you can find any company and reviews about it.

Having chosen a broker, it is worth meeting him in person. Any specialist in this matter has lucrative offers that he will open only face to face. Not everything that is advertised and displayed on various notice boards in newspapers, the Internet and on television is worth paying attention to.

You need to conclude an agency agreement with the intermediary, agree on an introductory tour, draw up a binding contract for the purchase of real estate with the payment of 10 thousand dollars as a deposit. In this case, the property will be removed from sale. And then act in accordance with US law.

Permanent residence and US citizenship: conditions for obtaining, prospects for Russian migrants

5 years after receipt, the green card holder can apply for citizenship. To do this, the following conditions must be met:

• You must reside in the state where documents are being submitted for at least 3 months;
• all taxes must be paid on time;
• complete absence of crime.

Additionally, you will have to pass an exam on your knowledge of language, history and basic laws.

The steps to obtain citizenship are as follows:

1. Application to the migration service.
2. Review of documents.
3. Fingerprinting procedure.
4. Oath.
5. Receiving a passport.

Citizenship can also be obtained by birthright. Any child born in the United States becomes a full-fledged American. It does not matter whether his mother was a citizen or an illegal refugee. Dual citizenship is not prohibited in the country.

There are a lot of immigration options for Russians in America. According to statistics, the vast majority of Russians live in New York. There are so-called “Russian districts” there. Their infrastructure is designed for the Russian-speaking population: children in schools and kindergartens communicate in their native language.

Foreigners in the USA

America is the country with the largest number of migrants in the world. In mid-2021, their total number was 50.7 million (15.4% of the total population), reports the international migration data portal. Interestingly, this figure is constantly growing. For comparison, in 2018 it was 44.8 million, according to statistics from the Washington Pew Research Center.

The main country of origin of visitors to the States is Mexico. In 2018, approximately 11.2 million people were from there (25% of all immigrants). This is followed by China and India (6% each), as well as the Philippines (4%) and El Salvador (3%).

By race and ethnicity, there are more Asian immigrants in the United States than Hispanic immigrants. In general, according to forecasts, by 2055 Asians will become the largest group of immigrants in America.

Almost half (45%) of visitors settle in three states: California (24%), Texas (11%) and Florida (10%). If we look at the cities favored by migrants, New York, Los Angeles and Miami lead by a noticeable margin.

Types of cards

The coveted green card is divided into several categories, each of which has its own characteristics for the owner:

• permanent , this is the most complete format of this type of document, providing broad rights and opportunities to its owner, including unlimited travel from the country to other countries and returning to it;
• conditional, provided to persons who have recently married an American until they are issued a permanent residence permit, and for this it is necessary to undergo a full verification of the marriage and prove that it is not fictitious;
• temporary, issued for a certain period necessary for the foreigner to carry out labor, cultural, educational or other activities in America.

Obtaining a permanent card opens up great opportunities for a foreigner, so everyone strives to get it. It provides:

• the opportunity to live freely in the country in any state on a permanent basis;
• the opportunity to work, with such a document you can even get a job in government services;
• the opportunity to purchase and own local real estate located in the United States;
• free visa-free entry into the country, as well as exit from it without any restrictions;
• the right to send invitations to the country to their family and friends, with the help of which they will later be able to obtain one of the types of visas and visit America.

This is interesting: Obtaining a temporary residence permit through marriage to a citizen of the Russian Federation

But along with these privileges, the cardholder also has some responsibilities that must be fulfilled for the entire period of ownership of the document. These responsibilities include:

• pay mandatory taxes strictly on time and submit appropriate tax returns;
• must be registered in the military ;
• comply with the obligations on the basis of which the card was issued (this condition applies to temporary and conditional card types).

Therefore, when receiving a card, you need to understand all the responsibility that comes with the privileges.

American citizenship

If everything worked out for you while living in the United States on a Green Card, you can think about obtaining full citizenship and becoming a full-fledged member of society. This is not at all necessary, because you can live with the Green Card for the rest of your life. But, for true citizens of America there are a number of privileges that should not be given up:

1. Anyone who has lived in any state for at least 5 years and owns real estate has the right to apply for citizenship. This is how the government makes sure that you understand all aspects of living in the country and have your own home. In legal practice, this process is called naturalization.
2. To obtain citizenship of the country, you need to submit an application several months before the end of the 5-year period to the service that deals with issues of immigrants in the United States.
3. Next, employees check the candidate for serious offenses and cases of violation of the law. Of course, parking incorrectly or exceeding the speed limit is unlikely to influence the main decision. But more serious offenses can easily become a reason for refusal.
4. If the initial stage is successful, an exam date is set. It consists of monitoring the level of knowledge of the English language, understanding of the political structure of the country, history and economy of America. This is a really difficult test, so we recommend that you take the exam as seriously as possible. Agree, it will be very disappointing not to obtain US citizenship just because the presidents were mixed up, or all the states that are part of the country were not named. In addition to the main block, there may be questions that relate to the criminal code or tax legislation. Many people fail to complete the task the first time, so they have to take the exam a second time. If it is difficult to learn the entire volume of information, you can enroll in special courses that deal with preparation.
5. At the final stage, all that remains is to take an oath of allegiance to the United States. Americans have a high level of patriotism and love their own country. That is why they are so sensitive to the oath of allegiance.

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If everything was done correctly and on time, it means that very soon you can be called a full-fledged American.

Migration to America is now very popular not only among young people, but also among experienced professionals who go abroad in search of a better life. As you can see, there are several main ways to obtain a Green Card. All that remains is to choose the most acceptable one, collect documents and submit an application.

If you do not have time for registration, or would like to speed up the procedure, you can contact a specialized agency that will take care of all the problems. True, it will cost much more.

Watch a video on how to immigrate to the USA:

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Methods of obtaining

US legislation provides for many categories of visas, which later make it possible to obtain a residence permit. Among these methods are the following:

• reunification of relatives with their family;
• an invitation to work or participate in various business projects in America;
• investment participation in the country involves investing at least 500 thousand dollars and creating jobs for American citizens;
• by decision of the head of US national intelligence;
• received as winnings in the Diversity Lottery.

Indeed, this document can even be won in a lottery that takes place annually. Depending on the chosen method of obtaining a green card, the list of necessary documents, as well as the procedure for obtaining a residence permit, will depend.

Marrying a US citizen is considered one of the easiest and most reliable ways to obtain a green card. And at the same time, the document opens up opportunities for a person for the longest possible period.

Initially, after marriage, a green card is issued to a foreign spouse for 2 years. During this time, the marriage is carefully checked by the migration service. And at the end of this period, employees make their decision on the legitimacy of the union. After confirmation of the legality of the marriage, a permanent green card is issued, which opens up the possibility of further naturalization of the foreigner in the new country.

In general, the algorithm of actions is as follows:

1. Marry an American or a holder of the same permanent green card.
2. Send the documents along with the application for the card to the migration service.
3. Pass an interview. The specialist will try to find out your true intentions why you want to receive this document.
4. Get a temporary green card valid for 2 years.
5. Live in marriage for this period, and regularly undergo checks of the fictitiousness of the marriage by the migration service.
6. Submit an application for a permanent residence permit . This must be done several months before the expiration of the temporary document.
7. Go through the interview again and document that you are still married to this citizen.
8. Receive the finished document . After this, you can further plan to obtain American citizenship.

On the one hand, everything here is quite simple. Therefore, there are many who want to enter into a fictitious marriage in order to obtain such a document. But it is worth remembering that this violation is a criminal offense in America. And in the best case, the foreigner is deported from the country, and in the worst case, he can be put behind bars for several years.

Worker residence permit

To obtain a green card in this way, you need to find an employer who will go through a special procedure to invite you to America as the qualified specialist he needs. Employees cannot independently request such a document. Therefore, this method is not suitable for everyone, and it is used mainly by representatives of in-demand professions, mostly of a narrow focus.

Here there is an option to obtain a temporary green card, valid strictly for the duration of the work contract. But for this you need to come to the country on a work visa. There are several categories of such work visas in the United States:

1. H1 B . Designed for highly qualified specialists in the field of medicine, science, IT, finance, architecture. In this case, the employer simply needs to prove that he needs a foreign specialist, and local workers do not have sufficient qualifications.
2. L1 . This type is issued to employees in the event of opening a branch in America, when the main company is located in another country.
3. J1 . This visa is issued for 6 months for special training. This mainly includes student exchange programs. At the same time, the visa itself makes it possible to find permanent work in the States and apply for a permanent green card.
4. B. _ This category is available to employees of companies that are business investors or active partners in the United States.

Every employee applying for a work visa and residence permit is required to document their qualifications and professional skills.

The algorithm of actions will be as follows:

1. Signing a contract with an American employer for a certain period of time or on an ongoing basis.
2. Filling out a request to the employer so that he initiates the submission of an application on his behalf for the issuance of a green card to a foreign worker.
3. Submission of documents by the employer justifying the need to invite a foreign employee.
4. Verification of the applicant by the migration service for compliance with his declared qualifications.
5. Issuance of a document in case of successful verification.

Next, the employee and the organization are often checked by migration service employees. And if a violation is detected, the company may be fined, and the employee himself may be deprived of a residence permit. You can learn more about this from the video presented.

Lottery

The right to receive a card in this way is granted only to:

• adult foreigners born in a country included in the list of participants;
• the applicant must not have problems with the law in his country;
• he should not have medical contraindications or other restrictions.

The application can be submitted through a special website. If you win, not only one person receives the card, but also his wife and children, if they wish.

The algorithm of actions here is as follows:

1. You must fill out a form containing information about yourself and your family.
2. Wait for the draw and find out the results. If successful, you can move on to the next steps.
3. Prepare the required package of documents.
4. Undergo a special medical examination to confirm that the person is healthy.
5. Come at the invitation sent and undergo an interview.
6. If the interview is successful, travel to the States and receive a card.

Every year many foreign citizens apply for participation, so the chances of winning are quite small. But there are still many lucky people who managed to get the coveted green card in this way.