Getting an immigrant visa, being sponsored by relatives for a greencard (permanent resident card) or getting a greencard through one's own eligibility are the commonly used immigration procedures to enter the United States. Having a greencard is a proof of being officially granted immigration benefits to live and work in the United States permanently and legally. You can get a greencard either while you are in the US or outside the US. When you get a greencard while physically being present in the US, the process is called adjustment of status. Whereas when you get one while being outside the US or when you are ineligible to adjust status, it is called Consular processing. You can enter the US through an immigrant or non-immigrant visa. Non-immigrant visas are for temporary visits to the U.S. for tourism, study, or work. Immigrant visas allow for Permanent Residence in the U.S.

After you enter the US as a visa holder, you can adjust your status to a greencard holder (permanent resident) subject to conditions for certain visa holders.There are different ways to get a permanent resident status. A family member who is a US citizen or permanent resident can sponsor you for a greencard. Else, you can also get one through the Diversity Visa lottery program that is held every year. Approximately 55,000 applicants are randomly selected every year subject to certain eligibility conditions. You can also get a greencard through employment. Here a qualified US employer needs to sponsor you. A person granted Refugee Status or Asylum may also apply for a Green Card. Like there are many ways to get a greencard, the process and procedures vary too.

A conditional permanent resident will get a greencard that is valid only for two years. You need to remove the conditions during the 90 days before the card expires,The conditional card cannot be renewed. The conditions must be removed else you will lose your permanent resident status. Form I-751 needs to be filed to remove the conditions. Once removed, you will get a permanent resident card that will be valid for the next ten years.

Replacing / renewing the greencard:

A permanent resident card is generally valid for ten years, You need to renew it on its expiration by filing Form I-90. The same form is used when you want to change any biographic information on your card i.e if your name has changed due to marriage. The same process is followed if you lose your card and need a replacement.

Being a greencard holder qualifies you for citizenship. Permanent resident status is the main eligibility requirement for citizenship. Just as greencard holders enjoy the benefit of living and working in the US, citizenship has added advantages, where you can enter and exit the US without any restrictions and it gives you voting rights too. You can also sponsor your family members to visit the US. The US immigration laws make it extremely difficult to get a greencard for those who entered illegally. Hence it is always recommended to enter the US legally.