Orlando Green Card Lawyers

If you get a Green Card, then you can legally live and find work in the United States. To get these benefits, you have to first be Green Card eligible, though. Our Orlando Green Card lawyers help clients understand and navigate all available pathways to permanent residency.

People who are eligible for a Green Card meet one or more of these conditions:

• Immediate relative: If you have a spouse or a child who lives in the United States as a citizen, then they can sponsor you for a Green Card application. Green Cards granted due to a relationship with an immediate relative have no annual cap. This includes spouses of U.S. citizens, unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens, and parents of U.S. citizens who are 21 or older.
• Close family member: USCIS will allow a limited number of people to file for Green Cards due to their relation to citizens or LPRs living in the United States. This category can be used by siblings, parents, and adult children, for example. These family preference categories include adult children of U.S. citizens, siblings of U.S. citizens, and spouses and children of permanent residents.
• Job opportunity: People with promising job offers in a field that requires their specific set of talents can get a Green Card, too. Orlando's thriving economy offers numerous employment-based opportunities, including positions for individuals with extraordinary ability (EB-1), professionals with advanced degrees (EB-2), and skilled workers with 2+ years of experience (EB-3). Although, USCIS only approves 140,000 work-related Green Cards each year across all categories.
• Green Card Lottery: If your country does not have a significant number of people leaving it to come to America, then it might qualify for the annual Green Card Lottery (officially called the Diversity Visa Program). Countries are given a set amount of Green Card tickets, which are to be distributed randomly to applicants. "Winners" can use the ticket to get a Green Card without needing to meet any other requirement, other than being in good standing with USCIS and the law.
• Other special categories: Additional pathways include asylum-based adjustments for those who have been granted asylum, special immigrant categories for religious workers and other specific groups, and registry applications for those who have been continuously present in the U.S. since before 1972.

The Green Card Process: What to Expect

• Step 1: Determine Eligibility: Our Orlando Green Card attorneys will evaluate your specific situation to identify the best pathway for your permanent residency application.
• Step 2: File the Petition: We'll prepare and file the appropriate petition (I-130 for family-based or I-140 for employment-based) with meticulous attention to detail.
• Step 3: Wait for Priority Date: For categories with annual limits, we'll monitor your priority date and keep you informed of processing times.
• Step 4: Adjust Status or Consular Processing: Depending on your location, we'll either help you adjust status in the U.S. or guide you through consular processing abroad.
• Step 5: Green Card Interview: We'll thoroughly prepare you for your Green Card interview, ensuring you're confident and ready.
• Step 6: Receive Your Green Card: Once approved, you'll receive your permanent resident card and can begin enjoying the benefits of permanent residency.

Green Card vs. Visa: Understanding the Difference

Many Orlando residents are confused about the difference between green cards and visas.

Green Card (Permanent Resident Card):

• Allows permanent residence in the U.S.
• Provides work authorization
• Path to U.S. citizenship
• Renewable every 10 years

Immigrant Visa:

• Allows entry to the U.S. to become a permanent resident
• Leads to receiving a Green Card
• Processed through consular processing

Nonimmigrant Visa:

• Temporary stay in the U.S.
• Limited work authorization (if any)
• Must maintain home country residence

Orlando Green Card Services We Provide

Family-Based Green Card Applications

• I-130 Petition for Alien Relative
• I-485 Adjustment of Status
• Consular processing coordination
• Removal of conditions (I-751)

Employment-Based Green Card Applications

• Labor certification (PERM) process
• I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
• National Interest Waiver petitions
• EB-1 extraordinary ability cases

Green Card Renewals and Replacements

• I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
• Emergency replacement requests
• Conditional residence removal

Consular Processing

• Embassy interview preparation
• Document collection and review
• Affidavit of Support (I-864) preparation

Frequently Asked Questions About Green Cards in Orlando

How long does the green card process take?

Processing times vary by category and current USCIS workload. Family-based cases typically take 12-24 months, while employment-based cases can take 2-5 years depending on your country of birth and category.

Can I work while my green card application is pending?

If you're adjusting status within the U.S., you can apply for work authorization (EAD) while your case is pending.

What happens if my green card application is denied?

If your application is denied, we'll evaluate the reasons and determine whether to file an appeal, motion to reopen, or start a new application.

Can I travel while my green card application is pending?

Travel while your case is pending can be complex. We'll advise you on when advance parole is necessary and help you obtain the proper documentation.

How much does a green card cost?

Family-based applications typically range from $2,000 to $3,000, while employment-based applications can cost between $2,000 and $5,000 or more, particularly when premium processing is involved.

Green Card Questions & Answers Made Easy

Don’t get lost in the legal jargon of immigration procedures—come to Maney | Gordon | Zeller, P.A., where our Orlando Green Card attorneys will guide you every step of the way. Backed by over 100 years of combined experience and a legacy of trust since 1977, we combine the resources of a national firm with the personalized attention of a local office to make the process clear, manageable, and even something you can look forward to.

We're more than just green card lawyers – we're active members of the Orlando community. Our Orlando office offers:

• Free weekly citizenship classes to help you prepare for the naturalization process
• Multilingual services in Spanish, Portuguese, and Thai
• Community education programs through our American Immigrant Alliance

Contact us today and learn more about green card services in Orlando.