Seasoned Permanent Resident Lawyer for Green Card Applications

A green card filing rejected on procedural grounds can set an applicant back by years. Our attorneys review each permanent resident application against the legal requirements of that specific category before anything reaches USCIS.
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WHY IT MATTERS

A Green Card Denial Is Not Always About Eligibility

Nearly one in three green card applications is denied. Many of those denials have nothing to do with whether the applicant qualifies. A missed deadline or an inconsistency between supporting documents can result in denial on procedural grounds alone. So can a misapplied eligibility category. The record reflects every denial. In some cases, removal proceedings follow. Preparation before filing carries more weight here than any remediation after the fact.

With two decades of experience, our immigration law firm evaluates each case against the specific legal requirements of the applicable green card category before any filing begins. Our team identifies procedural risks, confirms eligibility, and prepares the full application package to USCIS standards. A filing that holds up under scrutiny starts with the right preparation.

Services We Offer

Our Permanent Resident Visa Services

The Law Offices of Mary Kennedy handles green card cases across the following categories.
B-1/B-2 Visa: Business and Tourist Visitors
Foreign nationals with qualifying job offers or extraordinary ability may be eligible under one of five employment-based preference categories. Each category carries its own evidentiary standard and priority date requirements.
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Family-Based Green Cards
U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents may sponsor qualifying relatives for a family-based green card. Documentation requirements and timelines differ significantly between immediate relatives and preference category applicants.
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Naturalization and Citizenship
Lawful permanent residents who meet the residency, language, and civics requirements may apply for U.S. citizenship. Our attorneys confirm eligibility, prepare the N-400 application, and prepare applicants for the civics test and interview.
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Green Card Eligibility: Who Qualifies for Permanent Resident Status

A green card is not issued through a single universal process. Eligibility depends entirely on which category the applicant falls under.
Employment-Based
Foreign nationals with qualifying job offers or extraordinary ability may be eligible under one of five employment-based preference categories.
Family-Based
Spouses, parents, and unmarried offspring under 21 of U.S. citizens are exempt from the annual numerical cap. Other qualifying relatives fall under preference categories where annual limits and priority dates apply.
Refugee or Asylee Status
One year of continuous physical presence in the USA is required before individuals granted refugee or asylum status can apply.
Diversity Visa Lottery
The annual Diversity Visa Lottery is open to nationals of countries with historically low U.S. immigration rates.
Special Immigrant Categories
Religious workers, Afghan and Iraqi nationals who supported U.S. government operations, and special immigrant juveniles may qualify under special immigrant provisions.
Investment-Based
The EB-5 program requires a qualifying investment in a U.S. commercial enterprise that creates full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
FAQ

What Green Card Applicants Ask Most

How long is a green card valid, and how is it renewed?

Most green cards are valid for ten years, but lawful permanent resident status itself does not expire when the card does. Renewal requires filing Form I-90 before the card expires. Conditional green cards issued to marriage-based applicants are valid for two years and require Form I-751 to remove the conditions.

Can I apply for a green card while already in the USA on a temporary visa?

Yes. Applicants already in the USA who have a qualifying immigrant petition and an immediately available visa number may file Form I-485 to adjust status to permanent resident without leaving the country. Eligibility depends on how the applicant entered the U.S. and whether any grounds of inadmissibility apply. Not every temporary visa category qualifies for this process.

How long does the green card process take?

Category determines the timeline more than anything else. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens move fastest since no annual cap applies. For preference category applicants, wait times depend on the country of birth and current priority date, and in some high-demand countries, waits can take decades.

What is the difference between a conditional and a permanent green card?

A green card issued on a marriage under two years old comes with conditions attached. The card is valid for two years, not ten. Before it expires, Form I-751 must be filed within the final 90 days to lift the conditions. Filing late, or not at all, can result in termination of permanent resident status.

Can a green card be revoked?

Permanent resident status can be lost through abandonment, criminal convictions, or fraud in the original application. Spending more than 12 months outside the U.S. without a reentry permit creates a non-rebuttable presumption of abandonment. Extended absences short of 12 months can also raise questions about continuous residence. Our permanent resident lawyer team advises existing green card holders on protecting their status during travel or other circumstances.

Avoid Costly Green Card Delays

Our green card lawyer team reviews every detail before your application reaches USCIS.
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