Visas allow foreign nationals to legally enter the United States. They can often live and study in the country for a certain number of years on visas. They may even be able to secure visas for immediate family members, including their children and spouses, as well.
However, visas do eventually expire. Those who have lived in the U.S. temporarily may want to stay here for the rest of their lives in some cases. Green cards, or permanent resident cards, provide legal authorization for long-term residency in the U.S.
Those with visas who want green cards must adjust their status. Those seeking to adjust their status often need help to ensure that they don’t make any of the five common mistakes below.
1. Making paperwork errors
Petitions submitted to immigration authorities need to be accurate and thorough. Mistakes as simple as putting down old addresses or misspelling names can lead to rejected petitions and other complications. Immigrants may want to have a legal professional manage as much of the paperwork as possible to minimize the potential for mistakes.
2. Allowing legal status to lapse
There is a window of opportunity before a visa expires when people can request green cards. If people wait too long to apply and their visas expire, they no longer have temporary lawful status. That situation can make securing permanent lawful status much more difficult.
3. Withholding critical details
Individuals who manage to pass a background check by not disclosing a criminal incident can end up at risk of a rejected application or the loss of their green card after they secure it. Applicants must make thorough and accurate disclosures. Lying about criminal matters in their country of origin or another jurisdiction while living in the U.S. could be grounds for a green card denial or revocation.
4. Traveling internationally
Sometimes, family matters force those with visas to leave the U.S. Other times, they may need to travel for work. Traveling without proper authorization and documents allowing reentry into the country could lead to challenges for those with visas who want to secure green cards.
5. Missing critical appointments
People seeking green cards may need to attend interviews with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). They may need to attend a biometrics appointment to provide identifying information about themselves. Missing appointments can lead to major setbacks when seeking a green card.
Significant travel can impact eligibility for a green card. Adjusting one’s status and applying for a green card can be easier when people have qualified legal support. This can help people become permanent residents by avoiding common mistakes.