Assistance with research - USA

[quokka]

Hey everyone 

I'm doing some research on a possible new story.

I need info on the process for overseas people applying for a obtaining a green card to live and work in the USA.

Email: westozauthor@gmail.com

Thanks in advance.
Preston 

Edited November 7, 2025 by quokka

[Jason Rimbaud]

Can you be more specific, a green card or a work visa? Those are not the same thing and have different steps to achieve each one. 

[quokka]

Hi Jason, thanks for responding. What is the difference?

[Jason Rimbaud]

So a green card has to do with residency, which is different than getting the right to work. Though a green card grants you the right to live and work in America without restrictions. To obtain a green card, it is usually from a family member sponsoring you, marrying a US citizen, or claiming political asylum. Each one has different requirements and length of time. Marriage is the fastest, asylum, then family sponsors. No matter how you decide to apply for green card, it is recommended that you hire an immigration lawyer, expensive but worth the money as one forgotten detail or filing could start the clock all over again. 

One could obtain a work permit that has nothing to do with residency. Usually work permits are for a limited amount of time and usually tied to a specific job. 

Either way, a green card or work permit takes two different steps and involve different amounts of fees. 

If you let me know which one you are interested in I could go into the details. I went through the green card process due to the husband and have used many work permits in my life as my restaurant have sponsored Chefs and other technical people work permits to teach us their unique skills. 

My best friend also is here on asylum status, due to a horrible incident in his home country where he was hospitalized after being brutally assaulted due to him being gay.  That took him six years. It wasn't until Biden was sworn in as President and he ordered/instructed his department to fast track all pending cases that had been held up during the previous four years. He's now a permanent resident with social security card and everything. 

 

And do you want an overview or the details as in the specific forms you need? I could go in the weeds or cursory.  

 

Edited November 9, 2025 by Jason Rimbaud

[quokka]

Thankyou, that will do for now, as still building ideas for the story.