An immigrant is a foreign national who has been authorized to live and work permanently in the United States. If you want to become an immigrant based on the fact that you have a permanent employment opportunity in the United States, or if you are an employer that wants to sponsor someone for lawful permanent residency based on permanent employment in the United States, you must go through a multi-step process.

A lawful permanent resident is a foreign national who has been granted the privilege of permanently living and working in the United States. If you want to become a lawful permanent resident based on the fact that you have a relative who is a citizen of the United States or a relative who is a lawful permanent resident, you must go through a multi-step process. First, the BCIS must approve an immigrant visa petition for you. See similar questions...

There is no law that prohibits an F-1, J-1, F-2, or J-2 visa holder from applying for a green card directly. But as a practical matter it takes a long time to obtain a green card in most cases. Therefore, even if you begin your green card process while you are on F or J status you will probably be required to convert to H-1 due to lack of time. Conversion to H-1 during green card pendency is no problem. See similar questions...

If you have been outside the United States for less than twelve months, you should contact the DHS (Immigration) at this Embassy. If you have been outside for longer than twelve months and you wish to return to resume permanent residence you will require a new immigrant visa. See similar questions...

A stamp in your passport stating "Processed for I-551 temporary evidence of lawful admission…… employment authorized" See similar questions...

ANSWER: If you acquired your L-1 based on specialized knowledge (an L-1B), I would consult with a lawyer to see if you can avoid an individual labor certification. Normally people who use the "specialized knowledge" category cannot qualify, but there may be a way to do it depending on your facts. People on L-1A's (managers and executives) can, on the other hand, easily switch to permanent residency through the priority worker green card category. See similar questions...

Apply for a Returning Resident permit. This will create a presumption in your favor, should your green card status ever be challenged. Even though the instructions on the form say that the Returning Residency permit is for those who are leaving the country continuously for more than 1 year, file it anyway---even if you'll visit the U.S. before the year is up. You can use form I-131 from the Handbook. See similar questions...

If you have your receipt number, you should contact the USCIS case status service online or call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC). See similar questions...

If you are in Japan, you should apply for a transportation letter at the Embassy in Tokyo or Consulate-Generals in Osaka or Naha. For information on Transportation Letters, see here. See similar questions...

American ' Green Card' is a Permanent Residence Visa of the U.S.A. Holders of a Green Card are given the legal right to work and reside permanently in the United States. All Green Card holders are entitled to receive health, education, and various other benefit entitlements. As a Green Card winner, you can always apply for U.S. Citizenship at a later date. Ownership of a Green Card does not affect your present citizenship. See similar questions...

The United States has a program, called DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT VISA LOTTERY (also known as GREEN CARD LOTTERY), making available each year by random selection 50,000 permanent residence visas (GREEN CARDS) to people from around the world. The programs objective is to issue Green Cards to individuals born in countries which historically have low levels of immigration to the United States. See similar questions...

Lawful permanent residence in the United States is based upon several factors. For more information visit the Citizenship and Immigration Services department webpage on obtaining a Permanent Resident Card. See similar questions...

You will maintain status provided you do not remain outside the United States for longer than one year and you maintain a bona fide domicile in the United States. Failure to return to the United States within one year may jeopardize permanent resident status. If you are in possession of a valid re-entry permit issued by the USCIS, you must return to the United States before the permit expires. See similar questions...

Illinois has reciprocal agreements with several bordering states, so you may report your income on either state’s form. In Illinois, you will be taxed only on the income received in Illinois. Report your income using state form IL-1040NR. If you are a resident of another state, please refer to that state’s tax regulations concerning your liability. The Illinois Department of Revenue Web site offers links to all other state revenue departments http://www.revenue.state.il. See similar questions...

Yes. At the time of application, you must be a citizen of the United States or its territiories or have permanent resident status. If selected as a finalist, proof of citizenship will be required within ten days. See similar questions...

A permanent residency visa allows the holder to permanently reside and work in the U.S. This visa is more commonly referred to as a Green Card, which has been carried over from the days when the visa was green in color. Nurses are issued Employment based (EB 3) visa and are sponsored by the employer, who could not find American Employees. See similar questions...

There are two levels of investment at which a foreign national will qualify to petition for permanent residency. In the first, a foreign national must invest $1,000,000 in a new or commercial enterprise that will benefit the U.S. economy and create at least ten full-time employment positions for lawful U.S. workers (excluding the immediate family member of the investor). See similar questions...

Yes. The first step in obtaining permanent resident status through employment is for the employer to show the U.S. Department of Labor that there are no qualified American workers available to take the specific job that has been offered. Applicants apply for green cards under preference categories and are subject to country-by-country quotas. The date on which the employer files the labor certification papers is called the priority date. See similar questions...

Yes, but not indefinitely. One cannot be a permanent resident in two countries at the same time, so sooner or later you'd have to choose one of the countries in question. Having a US Green Card, applying to the DV lotteries etc. does not effect your eligibility and ultimate acquisition of Canadian PR. See similar questions...