Moving to a new country can be an exciting experience. If you come to the United States on a visa, you may have a limited stay in the country. However, after some time, you may find yourself wanting to become a legal permanent resident due to the connections and life you have made for yourself here, or for other personal reasons.
The process for obtaining a green card can seem intimidating, especially if you do not understand immigration law. Because this legal area can have complexities, you may want to obtain assistance with the process as well as pay attention to good practices to follow when filing your forms during the application proceedings.
Good practices
One of the most important factors of your green card application relates to the filing of the proper forms. Though these forms have corresponding instructions, they can still cause confusion. You will certainly want to ensure that you complete these forms correctly and provide truthful information. Incorrect or missing information could result in delays or an application denial.
In addition to the provided forms, you may need to attach certain documentation to support the information you fill in on your paperwork. If you do not provide the necessary records and documents, the Bureau of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will likely not process the forms. If you do not know where to obtain certain documents, you may wish to gain the applicable assistance.
If you did not learn English as your native tongue and have difficulty fluently communicating, you may wonder whether you could obtain assistance. Because misunderstandings could considerably hinder the green card process, you may find it useful to request an interpreter or bring an interpreter to appointments.
Actions to avoid
While the USCIS processes your paperwork, you will certainly want to avoid carrying out certain actions that could potentially jeopardize your application or even your residency after obtaining a green card. Some actions that could hurt your situation include:
- Committing crimes
- Smuggling other individuals into the country
- Providing false information on USCIS forms
- Lying to USCIS officers
If you feel uncertain of whether an action could harm your chances of permanent residency, you may wish to consult with a knowledgeable party. Additionally, as you work through the application process, you may find it useful to know more about immigration-related legal topics. Consulting with a Kentucky attorney could help you ensure that you follow the correct steps.
