If you’re looking to come to the United States or move there, then you might be a bit lost in terms of the terms “Green Card vs Visa”. They both are necessary to enter the country but for very different reasons and with very different rules. You need to know what a green card and a visa are if you want a temporary residency or permanent resident status.
These words will be explained and in this article, we will break down all these terms for you and help you learn the basics of them so you know which one you need.
What is a Visa?
A visa is a document that allows you to travel to the US to work, study, or visit for one of these purposes. It is a pre-travel document, inserted into your passport. There are two kinds of U.S. visas:
Non-Immigrant Visa: It is a type of visa where you’re visiting the U.S. temporarily to do work, school, or for medical treatment or travel. The non-immigrant visas have an expiration date, which is that if you’re not allowed to stay here for a period of time, you need to leave the U.S. You can’t keep this visa and live in the United States for good.
Immigrant Visa: This is a harder-to-get visa and lets you migrate permanently to the U.S. Typically it is the precursor of a green card. Immigrant visas are only issued to relatives or workers, but just because you are on an immigrant visa doesn’t make you a permanent resident or a citizen.
And when you need a green card to stay in the United States for good, you have to get one.
What is a Green Card?
You will get a green card (Permanent Resident Card) that allows you to remain in the United States for life. But a green card, unlike a visa, comes after you arrive in the US and you can stay permanently, subject to certain conditions (provided you don’t transgress any laws). They can also become US citizens, three to five years later, if they wish.
For example, if you want a green card for:
- Green Cards Based On Family Relationship: You may be eligible if you are the immediate family member (parent, spouse, child, or sibling) of a U.S. citizen or green card holder.
- Green Cards on Employment: Certain workers, with particular abilities, can get a job-linked green card.
- Humanitarian Green Cards: Refugees who are in a foreign country for fear of persecution, human trafficking, or violence are eligible for green cards.
- Diversity Visa Lottery: The U.S. government draws as many as 50,000 people from countries with low immigration rates every year to try for a green card.
What Are The Differences Between A Green Card and A Visa?
Visas and green cards have everything to do with getting into the US, but they’re used in very different contexts. Here’s an illustration of the most significant differences:
When to Apply:
- Visa: You get a visa ahead of time, to enter the U.S. and you are allowed to go there.
- Green Card: A green card is normally only applied for after you are in the US and usually through a process that begins with an immigrant visa.
Duration:
- Visa: Most visas are temporary. Non-immigrant visas set the time you can stay in the US and if it’s over then you have to leave.
- Green Card: A green card lets you stay and work permanently in the US. You also have to apply for a green card every 10 years, but you do not have to live here at the time that your card expires.
Purpose:
- Visa: A visa is for a short-term visit or for a particular purpose like tourist, commercial, or study purposes. You can’t remain in the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa for life.
- Green Card: The green card is the pathway to permanent residence so you can reside, work, and travel throughout the U.S.
Path to Citizenship:
- Visa: Visa is not an instant route to citizenship. Non-immigrant visas are for stay-along-stay purposes and cannot be converted to permanent residency.
- Green Card: Once you’ve been granted a green card, you can become a U.S. citizen after a couple of years (if your status allows).
Application Process:
- Visa: You get a visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country before entering the U.S. The usual steps are an interview and submission of documents like proof of finances and why you are visiting.
- Green Card: You get into the U.S. on an immigrant visa and apply for a green card through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). That process can take months or even years depending on your eligibility.
Green Card and Visa: FAQs
How Do I Apply For A US Visa?
What steps do you take to get a U.S. visa, it all depends on the type you’re seeking. You’ll normally have to apply, go to an interview at a US embassy or consulate, and bring along paperwork such as your passport, bank statements, etc.
What are the Needs for U.S. Visas?
These depend on the type of visa you’re applying for, but the basic requirements for U.S. visas are:
- A valid passport
- Documentation of income while in the US.
- A job offer (for work visas)
- Notes about ties to your native nation (so you’ll come back home after visiting)
What Are The Different Kinds Of Visas and Green Cards?
Visas (Nonimmigrant):
- B-1/B-2 Visa: Business (B-1) or tourism (B-2) for a business (B-1) or a tourist (B-2).
- F-1 Student Visa: For Study Purposes — University or College.
- H-1B Work Visa: Specified jobs for workers.
- J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa: To exchange education and culture.
- O-1 Visa: For those with special abilities in a certain area of work.
Green Cards:
- Green Cards Based on Family Members: For immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
- Work-Based Green Cards: For specialized workers, such as EB-1, EB-2, etc.
- Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery: Available for people of low immigration to the United States.
- Refugee and Asylum Status: For those who are being persecuted.
And no matter if you are applying for a U.S. visa or green card, make sure you know the differences and how they relate to your immigration journey. Visas are for short-term travel; green cards offer long-term residence. For those of you who are not sure which route is for you, a professional immigration agency such as Law and Visas will walk you through it and make sure that you are prepared.
How Law and Visas Can Help?
At Law and Visas, our team of expert immigration consultants is here to make your travel to the US straightforward and successful. Whether you’re applying for a Green Card, Visitor Visa or a Study Visa, we handle every step from preparing your application to gathering the required documents.
Our immigration Consultants and Lawyers ensure that your application meets the highest standards, with no details missed. We’ll also keep you informed throughout the process and coordinate with the immigration office or embassy on your behalf.
Law and Visas has a strong record of helping clients secure the visas/permits they need in the US. Call us today at +234 812 5505 986 to learn how we can assist you.
