Applying for permanent residency in Texas can be complicated. If you’re considering this life-changing journey, you may wonder how to apply for a green card in Texas. You don’t have to face the application process alone. A licensed immigration lawyer can discuss the entire green card process and help you avoid costly delays or denials. If you have further questions beyond what’s covered here, contact an experienced Texas immigration attorney.
Need-to-Know Green Card Information
To live and work in the U.S., you must get a green card. Securing a tarjeta de residencia is the first step for those seeking permanent residency and long-term employment within this country. A green card is also a type of identification. Green card applications are handled by the Servicios de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de EE.UU. (USCIS).
Tipos de tarjetas verdes
There are different types of green cards. Depending upon your individual circumstances, you may be eligible to apply for a green card through the USCIS if you are:
- An immediate family member of someone who is a U.S. citizen
- Another relative of a U.S. citizen
- Comprometida con un ciudadano estadounidense
- A relative of a legal permanent resident
- A widow or widower of a U.S. citizen
- The child of an immigrant engaged to a U.S. citizen
You may also be able to apply for a green card because of your employment if you are:
- An immigrant employee
- Someone with a Physician National Interest Waiver
- An immigrant investor
How to Apply for a Green Card in Texas
Once you’ve determined your eligibility, you’ll need to apply for your green card. Generally, you must file both an immigrant petition and Formulario I-485. Your specific path depends on whether you’re applying from within the U.S. or from abroad.
If you’re already within the country, the process usually follows these steps:
- Submitting your petition
- Filing an application
- Scheduling a biometrics appointment with USCIS to record your fingerprints, signature, and photograph
- Interviewing in person to verify your eligibility, conducted at a USCIS field office
- Making a financial decision on your application
If you’re applying from outside the country, the process typically follows these steps:
- Your sponsor files an immigrant petition with USCIS on your behalf.
- You are notified if your petition is approved, and if so, you await an available visa number.
- Once available, you are scheduled for an interview in your country at a Consulate or U.S. Embassy.
- If granted, you get a Visa packet to give to a Customs and Border Protection Officer at a U.S. port of entry, which makes you a permanent resident.
- After you pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee, your physical green card is mailed to you.
Regardless of which path you take, a knowledgeable immigration attorney can provide legal support throughout the process. It’s worth discussing your green card application with an immigration lawyer. They can explore all available ways to apply for a green card based on their specific circumstances. Reach out to an attorney to further discuss the detailed steps necessary to apply for a green card in Texas.
Hire an Immigration Lawyer: Choose Serrano Law Firm PLLC
If you or a loved one needs to hire an immigration lawyer, call Serrano Law Firm PLLC right away. Our firm’s dedicated immigration lawyers have a deep understanding of Texas’s USCIS office protocols. We also use a compassionate, family-first approach to the green card process. We provide reliable legal advice, and we’re here to protect your future.
Founding attorney Sam Serrano has almost 20 years of experience helping families across Texas. A true local, he attended the University of Texas at Austin for undergrad and the Texas Tech School of Law for law school. The attorney you choose for your green card matters. Contact us about building your life in the Lone Star State. Our phones are open to you 24/7.
Preguntas frecuentes
How Many Immigrants Are There Across the Country?
En Instituto de Política Migratoria notes that as of 2023, there were 47.8 million immigrants across the country. Nearly three-quarters of that population maintained lawful status, including naturalized citizens, legal permanent residents, and people with temporary visas.
Texas boasts 29 million residents, with approximately 5.4 million immigrants living here. This number represents about 18.4 percent of the total population, or nearly 9 out of 50 residents of the Lone Star State. For immigration help, call a lawyer.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Immigration Lawyer?
It’s hard to provide reliable information about the cost of hiring an immigration lawyer in Texas, as every lawyer sets their own attorney’s fees. Each immigration case is unique, and a lawyer sets their fees based on case-specific factors. If you’re considering a specific lawyer, ask about their written fee agreement and what’s included in their legal services.
Can I Handle My Own Green Card Application in Texas?
While you can handle your own green card application in Texas, it’s recommended that you meet with an attorney to discuss the help that they can provide throughout the filing process. When you work with a lawyer, they can provide reliable legal support during your green card application. They can help you avoid costly delays and denials. They can save you time and money. Working with a lawyer is beneficial for a variety of reasons.
When Should I Call an Immigration Lawyer?
Ideally, you should call an immigration lawyer as soon as you’re considering applying for a green card. They can answer any questions you have about the filing process and provide reliable answers to your questions. They can provide comprehensive support through this complicated process. They have helped many people just like you secure green cards in the past, and they bring this experience to your case. Reach out to Serrano Law Firm PLLC to discuss your unique green card situation.
Póngase en contacto con Serrano Law Firm PLLC
To apply for a green card in Texas, call an experienced attorney at Serrano Law Firm PLLC. We listen to your goals and treat you with respect. Our office is conveniently located in Houston’s Northwest Corridor, just off US-290 near I-10. From Kingwood to Montrose, Houstonians trust us for their immigration representation.
Póngase en contacto con nosotros para una consulta confidencial.
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