Overview: A U.S. Green Card allows permanent residence, work, and travel benefits, including entry to ~36 countries visa-free. It’s also the first step toward U.S. citizenship. Processing Time: Inside the U.S. (Adjustment of Status): 12–22 months Outside the U.S. (Consular Processing): 9–13 months for immediate relatives Employment-based or other categories may take longer depending on visa availability. Costs: Local applications: ~$1,760 Abroad: ~$1,200 Additional: medical exams, document preparation Types of Green Cards: Family-Based: Spouses, children, parents, siblings, widows/widowers Employment-Based: Skilled workers, professionals, investors, physicians Humanitarian: Refugees, asylum seekers, victims of crimes or trafficking Diversity Lottery: 50,000 visas annually for underrepresented countries Longtime Residents: Continuous U.S. residents since before 1972 Special Categories: Clergy, reporters, certain Afghan/Iraqi nationals Financial Requirements: Sponsors must meet minimum income thresholds (e.g., $22,887 in 2022 for a single relative) and prove legal financial support. Legal Assistance: Fort Worth Immigration Lawyers help with eligibility assessment, application preparation, and complex cases, improving approval chances and facilitating a smooth path toward citizenship. Dallas Immigration Lawyers 2550 Pacific Ave #866-B Dallas, TX 75226 (817) 373-5535 https://www.DallasImmigrationLawyers.com