GETTING YOUR GREEN CARD

Once INS has approved your employer's petition, you are granted a "priority date" which is your place in line for a green card. Since the number of green cards which are issued are numerically limited by country and by category, waiting lines sometimes develop. Luckily for you, the waiting lines for most college graduates are either short or nonexistent.

Most persons qualifying for permanent residence through employment may apply for green cards without leaving the U.S. You must demonstrate to the INS that you qualify for adjustment of status and that you do not fall within any of the "excludable" categories. For example, persons convicted of serious crimes, terrorists, and those who test HIV-positive seldom qualify for green cards.

Your spouse and children may obtain green cards at the same time as you do. Many INS districts now waive personal interviews.

You may be able to qualify for a green card in one to two years if you are exempt from the labor certification requirement. If labor certification is required, expect to wait at least three to four years to become a permanent resident.

A little advice about attorneys: Most persons who seek H-1B visas and permanent residence through employer sponsorship do so with the aid of an attorney. This is wise because immigration laws and procedures tend to be complex. Do not select an attorney solely on the basis of a referral by a friend or a colleague. Shop around not only for price but for quality.