How to Apply for a Green Card Through Your Employer

If you are currently working in the United States and would like to apply for a Green Card through your employer, there are several steps you need to take:

1. Check your eligibility: Your employer will have to sponsor you for a Green Card, and there are certain eligibility requirements that must be met. For example, your employer must be willing to petition for you, and you must be in a job that meets certain requirements, such as being a permanent, full-time position.

2. Obtain a Labor Certification: Before your employer can sponsor you for a Green Card, they must obtain a Labor Certification from the Department of Labor. This certification verifies that there are no qualified U.S. workers available to fill the position and that your employment will not have a negative impact on the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers.

3. File a Petition: Once the Labor Certification is approved, your employer can file an Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker (Form I-140) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This form verifies that you meet the eligibility requirements for a Green Card and that your employer is sponsoring you for it.

4. Wait for Priority Date: If your employer's petition is approved, you will be assigned a priority date based on your country of birth and the preference category for which you are applying. This date is used to determine when you can apply for a Green Card.

5. Apply for Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing: Depending on your situation, you can either apply for Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing. Adjustment of Status is for individuals who are already in the United States, while Consular Processing is for individuals who are outside the United States. If you are already in the United States, you can file Form I-485 to apply for Adjustment of Status. If you are outside the United States, you will have to go through Consular Processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country.

6. Attend an Interview: Once your application is processed, you will be required to attend an interview with a USCIS officer. This interview is to verify the information on your application and to ensure that you meet all the eligibility requirements for a Green Card.

7. Receive your Green Card: If your application is approved, you will receive your Green Card and become a permanent resident of the United States.

Applying for a Green Card through your employer can be a complex process, and it is important to work with an experienced immigration attorney to ensure that everything is done correctly.