How to Get a Simple Green Card Without a Lawyer Everything You Need to Know Explained Easily (with Companion CD-ROM) (Paperback)

A permanent resident is someone who has been granted authorization to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis. As proof of that status, a person is granted a permanent resident card, commonly called a "green card." If you or a family member is interested in legally residing in the United States, obtaining a green card is the fastest way to meeting this goal. Immigration lawyers will charge you thousands of dollars to fill out and file forms you can easily access online and submit yourself. With the help of this book, you can learn all the basics and quickly be on your way to becoming the newest resident of the United States without having to pay for a lawyer.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website is the hub for all things related to obtaining a green card. This book will walk you through accessing and navigating this seemingly confusing and overwhelming site. The process for becoming a permanent resident can be complicated and depends on whether you are currently living inside the United States or abroad. How to Get a Simple Green Card Without a Lawyer will discuss the many methods of becoming a permanent resident, including being sponsored by a family member or employer in the United States, filing as a refugee or for asylum, or participating in other humanitarian programs. The book will describe circumstances in which you might be eligible to file for yourself. You will also learn about the fees required for filing, the timeframe for obtaining a green card, short-term alternatives for entering the United States without a green card, and the different reasons you might be denied permanent resident status.

This book offers a detailed overview of the forms needed from start to finish - where to obtain them, how to read and fill them out, and how and where to submit them. The Companion CD-ROM provided with this book includes all of the applications you need to apply for you green card. The book provides you with the tools for creating an organized file of important information regarding your application, submitting photographs and fingerprints for identification, and successfully submitting the application packet. Consequences for providing false information are also described.

Once you have applied, this book will provide tips for tracking your application and contacting the USCIS for information about your application. After you have been granted permanent resident status, you will learn how to renew or replace your green card and when authorities might revoke your green card. If you plan to apply for U.S. citizenship, this book will provide you with valuable insight. There are many organizations available to people who are looking to obtain a green card, and this book will introduce you to the services available beyond an attorney.

We have spent hundreds of hours interviewing immigration lawyers and newly award green card recipients to provide you with tips and advice to successfully navigate the complexities of becoming a permanent resident of the United States. Before you contemplate hiring an attorney, let this book provide you with everything you need to know about obtaining a green card. This book will save you thousands of dollars in the process.