Can You Get A Green Card Through Your Employer?

Obtaining a green card isn’t always easy. But, your employer has the ability to sponsor you for a green card, which makes it easy for you to obtain one.

 What Is A Green Card? 

A green card is a legal document that allows an immigrant to live and work in the United States. Someone who has a green card is a legal permanent resident of the United States, even if they are from another country.

Many, many benefits come from having a green card. Some of the most notable benefits that come from having a green card are as follows:

• Someone who possesses a green card for long enough can, then, apply for United States citizenship.
• A green card allows an immigrant to live in the United States on a permanent basis.
• A green card allows an immigrant to work in the United States on a permanent basis.
• Someone who possesses a green card can owe and/or rent property within the United States.
• A green card allows an immigrant to open a bank account at a United States bank.
• A green card allows an immigrant to live anywhere within the United States.
• Someone who possesses a green card can obtain a driver’s license and drive within the United States.
• A green card allows an immigrant to receive Social Security and Medicare benefits.

Every single one of the above serves as a valid reason as to why immigrants should work to obtain a green card. But, of course, one of the complications that can arise is the inability to actually obtain a green card.

Can You Get A Green Card Through Your Employer? 

Even though obtaining a green card can be tricky, some immigrants are able to obtain a green card through their employer.

To obtain a green card through their employer, an immigrant’s employer – or, in other cases, their prospective employer – must sponsor them.

Sponsoring an immigrant’s green card serves two purposes. And, these purposes are as follows:

• Demonstrating that an immigrant has a valid reason to live within the United States.
• Demonstrating that an immigrant will be financially secure while living within the United States.

Even though an employer can sponsor an immigrant’s green card, this doesn’t always mean that an immigrant will obtain the green card that they seek. But, it does make it considerably more likely that they will, as the sponsorship serves the two purposes outlined right above.

How Long Does It Take To Get A Green Card Through Your Employer? 

The process of obtaining a green card can, and often will, take some time. But, when an employer sponsors an immigrant’s green card, the process speeds up.

A priority date is set, right after an employer sponsors an immigrant’s green card. And, for this reason, an immigrant whose employer has sponsored them will receive their green card as soon as possible.

Even though “as soon as possible” is relatively soon, it may still take some time. But, it won’t take as much time as it normally would.

Speak With A Houston Immigration Lawyer 

You, and your employer, can work together in helping you obtain a green card. Speak with a Houston immigration lawyer at BBA Immigration and we will assist you, and your employer, in sponsoring you for a green card.

Sources: 

law.cornell.edu/wex/green_card

uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/E2en.pdf