I need information on how to get a Green Card...?

Question

I'm turning 18 end of February 2013, and I need a Green Card as soon as possible due to personal stuff, i do not have family there, all my family is in South Africa and Australia, I dont want to go to Australia. So when can I apply for a Green Card?

Answer 1

You need to read through this website and see what options you have.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=ae853ad15c673210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=ae853ad15c673210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD



If you don't have a close family member who can sponsor you, if you don't have an advanced degree (at 18 you generally don't), if you aren't famous for a skill, and if you don't have a spare half million dollars or so, you can't get a greencard. You also just missed the greencard lottery, it's not going to open for another year.



So you need to change plans and either stay or go to Australia.

Answer 2

You have no qualifications for a green card. You cannot apply for one on your own, you need an immediate family member who is a US citizen to petition for you.

Answer 3

Probably your only (and the cheapest) option would be to try to get a Green Card through the Green Card Lottery. This is also known as the Diversity Visa if you go on the US government website for USCIS. It only runs once a year for about a month or so - and even if selected it would take up to 2 years to go through the entire process. From the time of application till notification of being successful/selected could take a couple of months, then a few months to send documents off to the USA (police clearances/health screenings/education records/proof of funds to support yourself once you get to America), then up to a year to wait for your embassy interview, then time to be issued the visa and to get to America. It is not a quick exercise !!!



I got mine this way after trying for a couple of years - but it still cost a lot of money to get here and to have funds to get an apartment/pay deposits/have money to live for a while, etc.

I have friends who have been trying for many more years than I did and they have never won their GC. It really is luck of the draw. And the blocker on this one is that: even if you win the opportunity to go through the process, you still will need enough money to support yourself in the US for at least 6 months after you arrive, and you will need to PROVE that when you go to the embassy for your GC interview or they will decline to grant one.



It might be easier with Australia if your family there will sponsor you.

Answer 4

Without a US citizen immediate family member in the US, you will not get a green card.

Answer 5

you cannot just apply ..you need to meet a criteria

Which one ???



Green Card Through Family

Green Card Through a Job

Green Card Through Refugee or Asylee Status

Green Card Through Investment

Green Card Through Marriage