A Green Card, as referred to by Americans, is a permanent resident card that certifies a foreign national's right to live and work in the United States long-term. The U.S. Green Card also serves a function similar to a passport, allowing the holder to present it at U.S. customs without needing a visa in their passport. This card, which represents permanent residency, was previously not green in color; it is now a plastic card the size of a credit card with a photo, containing some personal information. Even after obtaining it, it is not a one-time solution, as it must be renewed every five years.
In the United States, the agency responsible for long-term residency is the Immigration Bureau, not the local police department. Both the United States and Canada are immigrant nations, so their immigration agencies are quite large and powerful. To enhance management, the U.S. Immigration Bureau is divided into four districts: Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, and Southwest, which handle work visas and immigration matters nationwide. Long-term residents who have been in the country for over a year must also apply for extensions through the Immigration Bureau.
The procedures at the U.S. Immigration Bureau do not require in-person appearances; all communication is conducted via mail. Although obtaining the first long-term residency can take a long time, applicants do not need to visit the Immigration Bureau or meet any officials there. Generally, it is not possible to use connections to expedite the process; doing so may even be detrimental to the applicant. Immigration officials have considerable personal authority, and their superiors grant them the power to make mistakes. They do not appreciate interference from outsiders and do not pay much attention to applicants' appeals, making decisions solely based on the submitted materials without meeting the applicants.
The United States is a country governed by law, and the Immigration Bureau tends to accept documents submitted by lawyers rather than directly from applicants. U.S. immigration officers believe that documents from lawyers are more credible, but submitting immigration documents through a lawyer incurs fees.
There are many types of Green Cards in the United States, such as family-sponsored Green Cards, employment-based Green Cards, and special talent Green Cards, among others. If one does not qualify for any of these categories, they may resort to illegal immigration, enduring for over a decade, and perhaps benefit from an amnesty to convert their status from illegal to legal, thus obtaining a Green Card. Alternatively, one could try their luck in a lottery for a Green Card, which is easier than winning the lottery. However, individuals born in mainland China are not eligible for this lottery.
Those applying for family-sponsored Green Cards do not need any special conditions; they simply need to be the spouse or child of a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder. However, in recent years, the waiting period has been very long, with spouses of Green Card holders waiting nearly five years to obtain their Green Cards, resulting in prolonged separation between couples.
Immigrating to the United States can also be achieved through other means, such as investment immigration, which requires both financial resources and specific projects. Only a few individuals can pursue this route, investing hundreds of thousands of dollars to obtain immigration status after review.
Ordinary individuals can only obtain a U.S. employment-based Green Card through hard work. After completing their studies, foreign students can find employment and be hired by U.S. companies, or they may be directly assigned to the U.S. by large companies. After working for several years, they can apply for a Green Card with the support of their employer. The U.S. issues a large number of work visas to foreigners each year, with over 60,000 issued in recent years. During the years of economic expansion, an average of 120,000 work visas were granted annually to foreigners. Anyone working in the U.S. can apply for a Green Card, but whether it is approved is another matter.
Having a Green Card makes it easier to enter and exit the United States. At the airport customs, Green Card holders are placed in the same line as U.S. citizens, allowing for quicker entry, unlike other foreigners who must wait in long lines.