Green Card Process in Tennessee

A Green Card, officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, grants you the right to both reside and work within the boundaries of the United States on a permanent basis.

At Colavecchio & Colavecchio we’ve helped countless immigrants just like you complete the Green Card Process in Nashville, Tennessee.

We work tirelessly to help immigrants obtain the American dream. Let our group of expert Green Card attorney’s work to get you the rights you and your family deserve.

At Colavecchio & Colavecchio, we work to help Nashville, Tennessee immigrants with the following:

• Personally and individually process your application
• Handle formalities and requirements from start to finish
• Guarantee timely submission and processing of your application
• Validate confirmation of your application submission
• Communicate with you regarding application status
• Aid in translating and explaining documents
• Provide expert advice and legal counsel

What is A Green Card?

There are two main statuses held by individuals that grant them the long-term (permanent right) to both reside and work within these great United States:

• Permanent Resident Status (Green Card)
• US Citizenship

However, there is often some confusion as to what rights each confer to those that hold them. For an individual wishing to immigrate to the U.S.A on a permanent basis, legal and lawful residence is typically the first required step. For example, individuals may be “sponsored” by an employer, family member or spouse, after winning the diversity visa lottery, or by other means.

In the majority of cases, holders of a green card are required to wait a number of years prior to eligibility to apply to become a US citizen (via a process called “naturalization”).

In general, Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) confers the following rights:

• Give you’re the necessary pre-requisite if you wish to naturalize as a US citizen
• Provides you with official and legal immigration status in the US
• Entitles you to various rights and responsibilities (such as taxes, Medicare, etc.)
• Allows you to live and work permanently in the US

How to Get Started

Before beginning the application process we suggest you evaluate the following two questions (or contact us at Colavecchio & Colavecchio for a consultative session to help):

1. Are you eligible to apply?
2. Do you currently reside inside or outside of the USA?

The answers to those two questions will help you and the team at Colavecchio & Colavecchio better understand your situation and needs so that we can craft a plan tailored to getting you the results you need.

Eligibility for Application

Before you can apply for a Green Card in Nashville, Tennessee, you must first ascertain your eligibility under one of the following categories. If you have any questions please reach out to Colavecchio & Colavecchio for assistance determining your status.

1. Through Family Association:

Below is a short list of a few acceptable eligibility situations. Please contact Colavecchio & Colavecchio in Nashville, Tennessee to learn about other options.

• The Spouse of a U.S.A citizen
• The Unmarried child under the age of 21 of a U.S. citizen
• The Parent of a U.S.A citizen who is at least 21 years old
• Other relative of a U.S.A citizen (restrictions may apply)
• Unmarried daughter or son of a U.S.A citizen and you are 21 years old or older
• Married son or daughter of a U.S.A citizen
• Sister or Brother of a U.S.A citizen who is at least 21 years old
• Spouse of a lawful permanent resident
• Unmarried child younger than 21 years of age of a lawful permanent resident
• Unmarried daughter or son of a lawful permanent resident 21 years old or older
• Person admitted to the U.S.A as a fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen (K-1 nonimmigrant)
• Person admitted to the U.S.A as the child of a fiancé(e) of a U.S.A citizen (K-2 nonimmigrant)
• Widow or widower of a U.S.A citizen married at the time of death

2. Through Employment:

Below is a short list of a few acceptable eligibility situations. Please contact Colavecchio & Colavecchio in Nashville, Tennessee to learn about other options.

• You excel in your abilities relating to work in education, athletics, sciences, arts or education
• You are an acclaimed researcher or professor in your field of expertise
• You are a multi-national executive or manager (additional restrictions apply)
• Your current profession requires an advanced degree
• Are a physician or medical doctor and agree to work full-time in clinical practice in a designated underserved area for a set period of time

3. Special Immigrant

Below is a short list of a few acceptable eligibility situations. Please contact Colavecchio & Colavecchio in Nashville, Tennessee to learn about other options.

• Are a member of a religious denomination coming to the U.S.A in order to work for a nonprofit religious organization
• Are a child who has been neglected, abused or abandoned by your parent, AND you have SU status
• Are coming to work in the U.S. as a member of the media
• Were employed by or for the U.S.A government in Iraq on or after March 20, 2003, for at least twelve months

4. Human Trafficking and Victims of Crime

Below is a short list of a few acceptable eligibility situations. Please contact Colavecchio & Colavecchio in Nashville, Tennessee to learn about other options.

• You are a human trafficking victim and currently have a T non-immigrant visa
• You are a victim of a crime and currently have a U non-immigrant visa

5. Victims of Abuse

Below is a short list of a few acceptable eligibility situations. Please contact Colavecchio & Colavecchio in Nashville, Tennessee to learn about other options.

• The abused spouse of a lawful permanent resident or U.S.A citizen
• The abused child (unmarried & under 21 years of age) of a permanent resident or USA citizen
• The abused parent of a U.S.A citizen
• Are a child who has been neglected, abused or abandoned by your parent AND you have SIJ status
• The abused child or spouse of a Cuban citizen or native
• The abused child or spouse of a lawful permanent resident who received his or her Green Card based on HRIFA

6. Other Categories

Below is a short list of a few acceptable eligibility situations. Please contact Colavecchio & Colavecchio in Nashville, Tennessee to learn about other options.

• Were selected for a diversity visa in the Department of State’s diversity visa lottery
• Are a Cuban citizen or native
• Are the child or spouse of a lawful permanent resident who received his or her Green Card based on the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (HRIFA)
• Are a native or citizen of Laos, Vietnam, or Kampuchea (Cambodia) who was paroled into the USA on or before Oct. 1, 1997 from Vietnam under the Orderly Departure Program, a refugee camp in East Asia, or a displaced person camp administered by UNHCR in Thailand.
• And more…

7. Through Registry

Below is a short list of a few acceptable eligibility situations. Please contact Colavecchio & Colavecchio in Nashville, Tennessee to learn about other options.

• You may be eligible to register for a Green Card if you have resided continuously in the U.S. since before Jan. 1, 1972.

*If you don’t see your specific situation in the above eligibility requirements please reach out to us at Colavecchio & Colavecchio to see if we can help.

Green Card Application Process

Depending on your individual situation, the steps for applying for a Green Card in Nashville, Tennessee will vary. However, the following is a general application process that is applicable to most situations. Please reach out to Colavecchio & Colavecchio with any questions you may have.

1. An immigrant petition must be filed for you or on your behalf. This is commonly known as “sponsoring” or “petitioning”. In some cases you may be eligible to file for yourself.
2. Once the USCIS has approved your petition, and presuming there is a visa available in your category, your next step will be to file one of the following:
   1. A Green Card Application with the USCIS; or
   2. A visa application with the US Department of State
3. Next step is a biometrics appointment during which you will be required to provide a photo, signature and fingerprints
4. An interview process follows
5. You will receive a final decision on your application

What does it cost to get a green card in Nashville, TN?

If you are a foreign national or immigrant seeking a US Green Card in Tennessee, there are a number of costs to consider.

Costs and fees may include:

• Application fees paid directly to US immigration authorities (USCIS)
• Photo fees, medical exam fees and other incidentals like photo copies and certified mailing

The exact costs to get a green card in Nashville, TN will depend on the type of card you are applying for, and whether or not you are applying from within the United States (Adjustment of Status) or applying from outside of the US (Consular Processing).

While subject to change, the fee for the standard USCIS Form I-485 upon last check was $1070 (with biometrics) and $985 without biometrics.

Your first Application: Initial Visa Petition

This is a fee most immigrants face in almost any category of Green Card applications in Tennessee. This is the first form that needs to be completed and filed and is called a visa petition. This “petition” establishes your basic eligibility status and costs $535 for Green Card Petition and $1225 for green Card application for a total of $1,760.

What happens when my green card expires?

The US Green Card, also known more formally as an I-551 or permanent resident card is set to expire every ten years, at which time it must be renewed. Failing to renew does not damage your underlying status but it does need to be renewed as soon as possible as “renewal” is one of your legal obligations under U.S. immigration law.

In the event that you are “caught” without a valid Green Card, you may be prosecuted for a misdemeanor, leading to a criminal record that can affect other areas of your life, as well as your ability to apply for U.S. Citizenship in the future.

Other issues you may run into with an expired card include:

• Inability to fill out an I-9 form for employment
• Airlines won’t let you board with an expired green card
• You may have difficulty both leading and re-entering the country
• Inability to get a mortgage for a home
• Inability to renew your driver’s license

How do you renew a Green Card?

The majority of Green Cards are set to expire every 10 years. In order to renew your card you must file Form I-90. We highly recommend that you file this form 5-6 months prior to the expiration date in order to allow time for processing.

The application process takes around 15-20 minutes and our local Nashville, TN law offices are happy to help assist you with any questions you may have.

Filling fees paid to directly to government immigration departments are around $540 in total, though this is subject to change. Those that cannot afford the fees or are experiencing a financial hardship may qualify for fee waivers.

Do I need an attorney to get a green card?

Applying and qualifying for a Green Card is a complicated and arduous process wrought with rules, deadlines and restrictions. We highly suggest you consult Colavecchio & Colavecchio to get the help you need in successfully applying and filing for your card. Our local Nashville, Tennessee legal professionals are here to help. We are passionate and dedicated to helping you earn the rights you deserve.

Give us a call today to learn more.