I am currently on a green card, so this is the last blog as part of my U.S. immigration series. Once I get U.S. citizenship, I will add another blog about the naturalization process. I will share how I obtained an employment-based green card in this blog. I will explain a green card, how to get an employment-based green card, the rules and regulations, etc. Of all the U.S. legal statuses I have shared before, obtaining a green card is pivotal and game-changing.
I looked forward to the day I would get my hands on the green card. This is due to the flexibility and benefits which the green card offers, including a permanent stay in the U.S., being able to work for any employer, being able to apply for U.S. citizenship, fewer travel restrictions, for example, the ability to go to Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic., etc. without needing a visa plus less hustle when applying for visas to go to other countries.
According to USCIS, a green card (a permanent resident card) is an official document allowing non-U.S. citizens to live and work in the U.S. permanently. The green card allows holders to apply for U.S. citizenship after meeting specific eligibility requirements. Various types of green cards are available, i.e., diversity green cards, employment-based green cards, and family-based green cards. Given this blog is based on sharing personal experiences, I will share details on the employment-based green card, given this is how I obtained my green card.
An employment-based green card is an option for people working for a U.S. company. Below are the steps my company and I took to obtain the green card:
- Obtained a bachelor’s degree in computer science and applied mathematics
- Employer filed a petition (Form I-140, specifically the EB-3 category). The EB-3 category is for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.
- Employer filed Form I-485
- Obtained medical tests and got vaccinations
- Biometrics appointment to provide fingerprints, a signature, and photos
- Attended the green card interview timeline and interview questions shared below)
Although I did sweat and feel nervous about the green card interview, given the high stakes. I am happy that my interview was easy and laid back. Also, I didn’t go with an attorney for the interview but, I did get all the documents from my attorney, which I used to file my petition, and brought them to the interview just in case I needed them. Below are the questions the officer asked me during the green card interview:
- Is your attorney coming for the interview?
- Where do you work?
- What job title do you hold?
- What do you do for work, like responsibilities?
- Where have you lived the last 5yrs?
- Where did you live in Zimbabwe?
- When was the last time you entered the country, and used which airport?
- The officer asked me to hand over my pay stubs and I-94
- Do you have kids anywhere in the world?
- The long list of I-485 questions asked if I have ever done abc……xyz?
- What are you doing after the interview?
Below is my exhaustive green card timeline capturing everything from when I reached out to my employer’s lawyers to the day I received my green card.
| Event | Date | # of Days since last action | Total # of days |
| Emailed company lawyers to start green card process | 08/08/2016 | 0 | 0 |
| Completed questionnaire and documentation | 08/15/2016 | 7 | 7 |
| Filed Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD). PWD sets the minimum wage that the employer must be willing to pay the employee, at the time that the employee becomes a legal permanent resident. | 11/22/2016 | 99 | 106 |
| PWD approved | 04/04/2017 | 133 | 239 |
| PWD draft started | 05/01/2017 | 27 | 266 |
| Filed PERM. PERM is the system used for obtaining Labor Certification. It is the first step for foreign nationals in obtaining an employment-based green card. | 05/09/2017 | 8 | 274 |
| PERM approved | 08/30/2017 | 113 | 387 |
| Adjustment of status(AOS) draft. AOS is the process of changing from a temporary immigration status to permanent residence i.e. green card holder. | 09/12/2017 | 13 | 400 |
| Filed I-140 and I-485 | 09/26/2017 | 14 | 414 |
| I-140 approved | 10/05/2017 | 9 | 423 |
| Biometrics appointment notice received | 10/23/2017 | 18 | 441 |
| Biometrics done (SF) (Appointment originally for Nov 3, 2017 but I did a walk-in early) | 10/25/2017 | 2 | 443 |
| EAD approved (I-765) | 01/30/2018 | 97 | 540 |
| I-131 Decision | 02/08/2018 | 9 | 549 |
| I-485 Case Transferred | 02/26/2018 | 18 | 567 |
| Interview date received | 03/26/2018 | 28 | 595 |
| Interview | 04/24/2018 | 29 | 624 |
| Green card approved and being produced | 04/30/2018 | 6 | 630 |
| Green Card received in the mail | 05/04/2018 | 4 | 634 |
Obtaining a green card was complex and time-consuming. It was also costly, and I am thankful to my employer for paying and supporting me throughout this process. My employer covered the application, attorney, and medical exam fees. If you are going through this process, check what your employer covers since these expenses add up. While on the green card, I keep ensuring I meet the rules and regulations, for example :
- Maintaining status
- Filing taxes
- Not committing crime
- Avoiding extended periods outside the US
Pro-tips:
- When you receive your Biometrics appointment, do a walk-in instead of waiting for the actual interview date. Walk-ins before the actual appointment are allowed. My Biometrics appointment was scheduled for November 3, 2017, but I walked in on October 25, 2017, which helped me fast-track the green card process by a few days.
- Once you become a permanent resident, make an Excel spreadsheet with trips you take outside the U.S. This will be important when applying for U.S. citizenship since you must list trips you have taken in the past 5+ yrs.
- Track delivery of your green card using the Case Status Online account and register for Informed Delivery through USPS to get daily images of mail being sent to you. This way, you can see which mail you are getting and know when to expect your green card. Another suggestion is using an app called Lawfully, which tracks your application, gives timeline predictions, and provides a community where people ask questions.
