Dallas Immigration Attorney | Dallas Fort Worth | Davis & Associates

Are You Eligible For a Green Card?

We Treat You Like Family, Not FilesIf you have a green card, you’re allowed to live and work in the United States indefinitely.

The green card is many immigrants’ first step on their path to full citizenship.

Every case is different, and there are many factors to green card eligibility.

This green card eligibility quiz can give you an idea of whether you may be eligible; if you are, you may want to contact an immigration attorney for more information.

Take our green card eligibility quiz below.

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Do You Need to Talk to an Attorney About Your Green Card Eligibility?

Green Card Eligibility - Davis & AssociatesThere are several factors that go into green card eligibility - and not all of them are obvious. The reality is that thousands of people apply for green cards every year, and some are approved quickly; others wait months or years, and some are never approved.

That's because it's not just about eligibility; in addition to being eligible for a green card, you must meet certain requirements to be admissible to the United States.

What to Know Before You Take the Green Card Eligibility Quiz

To be eligible for a green card, you must first meet a few basic requirements. You must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Have a valid passport
  • Have a green card sponsor (in most cases)
  • Be admissible to the United States

What Makes Someone Ineligible to Apply for a Green Card?

There are a number of things that can make someone ineligible to apply for a green card. These include:

  • Not meeting basic eligibility requirements
  • Being inadmissible to the United States
  • Having some types of criminal records
  • Owing back taxes
  • Not having a sponsor (in most cases)

A Word on Inadmissibility and Waivers

Some people are inadmissible to the United States, which means they don't meet the U.S. government's basic requirements to enter the country. Often, people are inadmissible for things like past criminal records, health conditions that could affect people in the U.S. or lying on a previous immigration application.

If you're inadmissible, that doesn't necessarily mean you can never come to the United States. In some cases, you may be eligible for a waiver of inadmissibility. A waiver is permission to enter the United States when you don't meet all of the requirements.

Can Undocumented Immigrants Apply for Green Cards?

If you’re undocumented, you may still be eligible for a green card. However, your paths to a green card are very limited, and you may need to talk to an attorney about your options. You may want to take our green card eligibility quiz to see whether you may qualify.

However, you need to know that whether you overstayed a visa after entering legally or you entered unlawfully in the first place, being undocumented in the U.S. may result in deportation. It may be in your best interest to consult with an attorney if you're looking for a path to a green card.

Sometimes, the only reasonable solution is for an undocumented immigrant to leave the country and come back in a lawful status - but there are some circumstances that make an undocumented immigrant eligible to apply for a green card from within the country.

What Happens if the Green Card Eligibility Quiz Says You’re Ineligible?

If you try to apply for a green card and you're not eligible, USCIS will deny your application. In some cases, you may also face deportation or other penalties from the U.S. government. It's important to make sure you're eligible before you apply.

What is Admissibility?

Admissibility is a term used to describe whether someone is allowed to enter the United States. There are a number of things that can make someone inadmissible - which means they're not allowed to enter the country. These include things like having a criminal record, lying on a previous immigration application or having a health condition that could affect people in the United States.

What Are Grounds of Inadmissibility?

There are a number of grounds of inadmissibility - which means a person isn't allowed to enter the United States. Often, inadmissibility boils down to the following:

  • If you have a communicable disease that could affect public health in your destination, the U.S. government may deny your petition.
  • Criminal activity. Prior criminal activity - particularly if you were involved in serious crimes or crimes of moral turpitude (crimes that most people find reprehensible) - can disqualify you from getting a green card.
  • National security. If the U.S. government believes that you pose a threat to national security, you'll most likely be denied a green card.
  • Fraud and misrepresentation. If you commit fraud - that is, if you outright lie on your petition - or if you misrepresent a material fact (a fact that affects U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' decision in your case), your petition will be denied.
  • Prior removals. If you've previously been deported (removed) from the United States, there's a good chance that USCIS will deny your green card petition.
  • Unlawful presence in the United States. If you've been in the United States unlawfully for a certain period of time, you may be barred from getting a green card.

Do You Need to Talk to an Attorney About Your Green Card Eligibility?

If you think you may be eligible for a green card, we may be able to help you get one.  Take our green card eligibility quiz to help determine whether you may be able to get a green card in the United States - and if you're not eligible for one right now, we may be able to help you get one later (or by using a different qualifier).

Call our office to speak to an experienced professional who can evaluate your situation, answer all your questions about eligibility and help you apply if you qualify.

If There Is A Solution, Davis & Associates Will Help You Find It.