Most people move to the United States due to official transfers or business opportunities. Among them, a large number aspire to settle in the U.S. by obtaining Lawful Permanent Residency status. Commonly known as a Green Card, this status provides individuals with the legal right to live and work permanently in the United States.

However, navigating the legal procedures and immigration laws can be complex. This is where Atlanta Immigration Services (AIS) comes in. Our primary goal is to provide accurate guidance and support to applicants throughout the process. With a dedicated team and a comprehensive online database, we help clients understand every aspect of immigration, ensuring a smoother journey toward permanent residency.

Submit a Petition

An immigrant visa is a document issued by a U.S. consular officer outside of the country, allowing an individual to travel to the United States and apply for admission as a permanent resident. To apply, the foreign national must have a sponsor—either a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or a prospective employer. This sponsor must file a petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

A lawful permanent resident can petition for their spouse or unmarried children. A U.S. citizen can file petitions for parents, spouse, children (regardless of marital status), and siblings.

Petitions Filed Inside the United States

• Form I-130: Filed by U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents for relatives.
  
• Form I-140: Filed by U.S. employers for workers.
  
• Form I-485: For applicants already in the U.S. seeking to adjust their status to permanent residents.
  
• Form G-1145: Optional form to receive E-notification when USCIS accepts the petition.
  

Petitions are submitted to the USCIS Lockbox facility in Chicago or Phoenix, as outlined on the USCIS website.

Petitions Filed Outside the United States

Applicants residing abroad must check whether a USCIS international office is available in their city. If so, they can file at that office or at the Chicago Lockbox facility. If no USCIS office exists locally, petitions may be submitted at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Once approved by USCIS, the immigrant visa petition is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) for pre-processing, which includes collecting forms, fees, and documents.

After Petition Approval

It’s important to note that visa numbers are limited by category and country of origin. Approval of the petition does not guarantee immediate issuance of a visa number. For some categories, availability is based on the priority date—the date on which the petition was filed.

To check your priority date, refer to the official U.S. Department of State website.

After the NVC confirms that the petition is current and pre-processing is complete, applicants will be notified to proceed with the final steps of the visa process.

Note: A Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) is issued only after the successful completion of the entire process.

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Let Atlanta Immigration Services help you take the next step toward your future in the United States.