EB-1 Green Card

Visa vs. Green Card

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN IMMIGRANT VISA AND A GREEN CARD? WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF MY IMMIGRANT VISA PETITION IS APPROVED?

Yes, there is an important difference between an immigrant visa and a green card. Immigrant visa petition is a necessary step in most green card application cases. 

An immigrant visa petition allows one to present evidence to establish that the applicant fits with one of the immigration categories established by law, for example, that the applicant qualifies as an alien of extraordinary ability. In order for the applicant to receive a green card based on an approved immigrant visa petition, the applicant needs to either (1) file an application for adjustment of status (which may be filed either concurrently with the immigrant visa petition or subsequent to the approval of the petition),  or (2) apply for an immigrant visa at the US consulate in his/her home country. Please remember that a decision as to whether to file an application for adjustment of status or seek consular procession of your approved immigrant visa should be made only upon a consultation with an immigration attorney, as there are many issues that may adversely affect your eventual eligibility for a green card in case if you choose incorrect course of actions. Our experienced immigration attorney will carefully guide you through each and every step in the processing of your green card case, in order to avoid such pitfalls.