How Can Nigerians Obtain a Work-Based Green Card (H1B)

The process of obtaining a Green Card through employment is known as the H-1B to Green Card transfer. The H-1B visa is the most popularly used non-immigrant work visa for the United States, signifying that the visa holder’s occupation is desirable in this country and that they have acquired extensive education and training. 

H1B visas are issued to people with a maximum validity of 6 years, after which they have to move back to their home country. The United States gives a 10-day grace period after your H1B visa has expired for employees to put arrangements in place for either their return home or extension of their stay.

Understanding the H1B to Green Card Process

Many holders of H1B visa seek to have permanent residence in the US, a dream that can become a reality by acquiring an American Green Card. Owing to the fact that the H1B visa serves a dual purpose; this means its holders are eligible to tender an application for permanent residence.

The process of obtaining a United States green card from your H-1B visa is referred to as the Employment-Based Green Card or the H1B to Green Card transfer. Apart from this, we also have other types of Green Cards which are listed as follows:

• Political Asylum Based Green Card
• Family Based Green Card
• Adoption Based Green Card
• Diversity Based Green Card
• Refugee Based Green Card

For the Employment-Based Green Card, getting the Green Card can take months or even years. There are several steps you would have to take, and agencies require detailed documentation. Due to the fact that the process can become complicated; the majority of agencies recommend that you use the service of an experienced attorney, who will guide you through the documentation procedure, as well as deadlines, for a seamless transition.

What You Are Entitled to as a US Green Card Holder

Here some of your entitlements if you have got a work-based green card:

• Freedom to enter and leave the United States without the need to produce any additional visas or facing any risk of being denied
• You can apply for and work at any US-based company/agency
• You are allowed to start your own business
• You can apply for educational financial aid and pay lower tuition in comparison with non-green card holder immigrants
• You can act a sponsor of a green card for your family members
• You are entitled to Social Security benefits after your retirement
• You can own property, firearms, vehicles, and so on
• You are allowed to join political campaigns

Also, as a permanent resident, you’re required to

• Live as well as work under the US laws
• Ensure your taxes are filed and your yearly income is report
• Support the government of the United States

How to Apply for a Green Card

1. First find out if you’re eligible for the program
2. Complete the procedure for applying to register for permanent residence or adjust status with USCIS (the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services)
3. Provide every one of the supporting documents before the allocated time frame elapses
4. Ensure all of the necessary fees are paid
5. Wait to get a response from USCIS and schedule when your interview session will take place
6. Go to your interview at the US Consulate in Lagos State or one of the USCIS offices in the US if you’re already in the country

The Documents You Need For the Application

For a green card application, 2 major forms have to be completed:

1. an immigrant petition which carried out by your petitioner and
2. an application form for a green card, which is called Form I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

A lot of documents are required for your green card application. This is a list of the basic documents needed for the process:

• Evidence of the legal status of your petitioner in the U.S.
• Your birth certificate and that of your petitioner
• Evidence of your relationship to your member of family, who is living in the United States (if needed)
• Police clearance certificate
• Banking details as well as proof of income
• Genuine records of previous marriage termination (if requested)
• Your Certified marriage certificate (if requested)
• Records of your tertiary education (if requested)
• Previous employment records (if requested)
• Police, court, or prison records (if requested)
• Military records (if requested) 

Cost of Green Card Application

1. Form I-485, which is the major application form to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, goes for $985. This fee is to be paid upfront and before you take any further steps in this process.
2. The next thing is that a $700application fee has to be paid by your petitioner for the employment-based green card application. 
3. After the processing of the visa, you will now proceed to continue your application at the US Embassy in Nigeria or in the US if you’re already there.

Immediately your visa gets approved, you will be required to pay an administrative fee of $220to USCIS.

Is a Green Card the Same As Having US Citizenship? No, green cards are different from US citizenship. Green cards are issued to persons who are from countries outside of the United States. While such individuals would live in the U.S. and work there, they would retain citizenship of their home country. You will be granted US citizenship when you have got a green card for some time and would like to become legal citizens of the United States. After this, you are allowed to vote, go on