Helping You Achieve Permanent Residency
A green card identifies you as a permanent resident of the United States. While green card holders aren’t U.S. citizens, they have the legal right to live and work in the U.S. permanently and are protected by its laws. Acquiring a green card is also a crucial step before beginning the naturalization process for citizenship.
Pathways to Obtaining a Green Card
There are several ways to acquire a green card, including having a relative or U.S. employer petition on your behalf or filing for yourself as a refugee or asylum seeker. At Dozier Miller, we take the time to understand your unique situation and advise you on the best course of action. We assist with everything from filing petitions to appealing denials and guiding you through the next steps after approval. Together, we can work to achieve your dream of living in the United States.
The Consular Process
One common method to obtain a green card is through the consular process. Although it can be complex, having a Dozier Miller immigration lawyer by your side ensures a smoother experience. Here’s what you can expect:
Filing a Petition
The process starts with filing an immigration petition. This can be done by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident relative or a U.S. employer on your behalf. Our immigration team will help ensure your petition is accurate, complete, and filed with the appropriate offices.
Petition Approval
Once a petition is approved, it is sent to the Department of State’s National Visa Center. While waiting can be challenging, your Dozier Miller team will keep you updated and prepare you for the final steps once your visa becomes available.
Getting Your Visa
When a visa becomes available, the U.S. Department of State Consulate will schedule a visa interview. We will help you prepare for this interview to increase your chances of success. If granted an immigrant visa, you will receive a visa packet, which should not be opened.
Traveling to the U.S.
The final step is traveling to the U.S. You will present your visa packet to the Customs and Border Protection officer at the Port of Entry. After inspection, the officer will give final approval for your admission as a permanent resident. Your green card will arrive by mail within a few weeks.
Our team will track your petition’s progress and keep you informed at every stage. If you encounter delays or denials, we’ll assist with appeals and explore alternative options.
Waivers
If you are denied an immigrant visa because you’re deemed “inadmissible” to the U.S., you still have options. Denials can be related to health issues, past criminal charges, or other grounds. You may file for a waiver to address these issues. We will help you prepare and file a waiver with the appropriate supporting documents. We understand the forms don’t tell your whole story, and we will do everything in our power to make sure the USCIS appreciates your unique circumstances.
Provisional Waivers
For immediate family members of U.S. citizens (spouses, children, and parents), a provisional waiver can ease the process and help keep families together. If you are in the U.S. without documentation when you file a petition through the consular process, we can assist in filing a provisional waiver to address "unlawful presence."
To help this process run as smoothly as possible, we highly recommend consulting a provisional waiver expert. The team at Dozier Miller has extensive experience in helping families through this particular process. We will guide you through the requirements, procedures, and timing to ensure your waiver is approved as soon as possible so your visa is not delayed and you are not stranded outside of the country.
Contact Dozier Miller for Green Card Assistance
For professional guidance in obtaining a green card in Charlotte, NC, contact Dozier Miller. Our dedicated team is here to support you through every step of the process, helping you achieve your dream of living in the United States.
Birthright citizenship and anchor babies
Donald Trump, one of the Republican candidates in the 2016 presidential race, recently made news with his…
How COVID 19 is Changing the Immigration Application Process
There are many questions about how U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is processing applications amid the…
Rocket Dockets Speed Juvenile Immigrant Cases
Following the crisis declared by President Obama last summer when tens of thousands of unaccompanied children crossed…
Contact an Attorney
Our attorneys offer specialized guidance and representation in a variety of practice areas.
Our Immigration Legal Services
Find a Specialized attorney FOR HELP WITH
DeportationContact an Immigration Attorney
Connect with an immigration attorney at Dozier Miller Law Group to discuss your path forward and receive guidance tailored to your immigration needs.
