Fingerprint Program for Criminal Immigrants in all Washington Counties http://ping.fm/7HEmc

http://ping.fm/EmQFe

A blog dedicated to keep you posted on US immigration relevant news, articles on Visa, Green card, Green card renewal, family based green card, immigration ins, and other advice about US migration.

What is Ins http://ping.fm/laM4A

Green Card Renewal

Renewing your Green Card is an important process for Lawful Permanent Residents in order to maintain their legal status in the United States. Current Green Cards are valid for a period of 10 years. Remember that a Green Card is simply official documentation of your status as a legal Permanent Resident, much like an identification card. Therefore, it is important to keep your card up to date. An expired Green Card may make it difficult for you to prove that you are a Lawful Permanent Resident, and it can also affect your ability to travel out of the country and/or to prove your eligibility to work in the United States.

In order to keep your card up to date, Green Card holders need to file Form I90 in order to renew their Green Card.

When should a Green Card Renewal application (Form I90) be filed?
You must file a Green Card Renewal application if you are a Lawful Permanent Resident your card will expire within the next six months. You cannot file for renewal more than six months in advance.

NOTE: It is extremely important that you immediately file a Green Card Renewal application if you are a Lawful Permanent Resident and your card has expired.

You should file a Green Card Renewal application if you have an older version of the Green Card. These cards have no expiration dates and though you are not required by the USCIS to renew the older card versions, the USCIS strongly recommends you apply to renew your Green Card.

When should a Green Card Replacement application (Form I-90) be filed?
There are times when a Lawful Permanent Resident needs to request a Green Card Replacement before the current card expires.

Therefore, when should you file for a Green Card replacement using Form I-90? If:
Your card was has been lost or stolen
Your card was mutilated or destroyed.
Your card has a mistake on it. For example, you received a Green Card and the name was misspelled, than you should immediately file for a green card replacement (Form I90) to have the mistake corrected.
You never received you Green Card. card was never received.
Your name has changed, such as through marriage, divorce or for any other reason.
You just turned 14 years old. If you became a permanent resident before you were 14 years old, you are required to replace your old.

In a speech delivered at Delta College on December 1, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder stressed the important role immigrants play in the state’s economy and vowed to encourage education- and business-related immigration.

Calling federal caps on H1-B temporary work visas “arbitrary,” Snyder urged Michigan’s congressional delegation to undertake legislation to permanently raise the work visa cap and eliminate it altogether for those who earned an advanced degree from a U.S. college or university. He said Congress should pass a “green cards for grads” bill that is being considered, which would create a pathway for graduates of science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs to obtain permanent residency status.

“It is time to enact this legislation and allow these valuable members of our higher education communities to become permanent, contributing members of our Michigan companies and communities,” Snyder said.

He also drew attention to the EB-5 immigrant investor program, which provides green cards to foreign entrepreneurs who invest capital in job-creating U.S. enterprises. Snyder said he will petition the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to renew the program, which is set to expire in September 2012. He said he would also like to see eligibility requirements change, so that those who invest $500,000 in a Michigan business and create five jobs in the state can obtain an EB-5 visa.

Snyder reaffirmed his support of the Michigan Global Initiative, which is a program to attract international students and business people to the state. However, he said immigration reform is needed at the federal level.

“While the Michigan Global Initiative can help our state recapture the entrepreneurial power of immigrants, aspects of the nation’s immigration ins laws pose needless barriers to their success,” Snyder said. “Immigration laws are established at the federal level, so it’s important that Michigan partner with the federal government to better attract highly educated foreign talent.”

Snyder delivered his speech two days after the U.S. House of Representatives voted by a wide margin to eliminate business visa per-country caps. If signed into law, this measure would not raise the total number of business visas granted, but would change the U.S. visa application system by granting these documents to immigrants on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Source:Michigan Governor Says Immigration Key to Economic Development

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/btrplayer.swf

In this episode, Brad discusses several ways to qualify for a green card. He also answers immigration questions from two live callers during the show. Since 1958, Spar & Bernstein has helped over 50,000 with their immigration ins issues.

Green Card Renewal is a must for all Green Card holders to have an updated card with all the latest security features. Failing to do so will not affect their permanent resident status in any way but will cause trouble during any international travels or in finding an employment. Even those who are on the green cards which do not have an expiration date, green card renewal is a must. For this purpose Form I-90 is used.

When to file in for a Green Card Renewal?

Green Card holders need not wait till the exact date of expiration of their card to submit their I-90.
If their card is about to expire within the next six months, they can go in for a green card renewal. In case they are outside the US with a green card that is about to expire and they will return back to the US before the expiry of the card, then they can file in their I-90 as soon as they are back in the country. However when the Green card holder is outside the US and hi/her green card has already expired, then the only option available to them is to get the guidance of the US Embassy in that country and proceed further as per their instructions.
Does the Green Card renewal hold good for Conditional residents?

Conditional green cards are valid only for 2 yrs and this cannot be renewed just like a normal Green card. The conditional resident should file in Form I-751 in order to remove the conditions and become a permanent resident. They must submit this form before 90 days of the expiry of the card.

Similarly persons who have obtained a Green card by entrepreneurship in the US cannot go in for a green card renewal but file in Form I-829, 90 days prior to the expiration of their card, to remove the conditions.

Filing Fee

The filing fee varies from a permanent resident and a conditional resident. It is totally $450 ($365 +$85 application + biometric fee) for green card renewal for normal green cards. For conditional residents it is totally $590 ($505 +$85) and for those who need to file in I-829, it is $3835 totally ($3750 + $85)

How to go about the Green card renewal process?
The process of green card renewal involves the following steps

Filing in Form I -90 with the USCIS Both E-filing and filing through mail are available.
(All mail based forms should be sent to the USCIS lockbox facility at Phoenix.)
Including all the necessary proof of name change, biographic information change if the green card renewal is based on either of these.
Attaching a copy of the previous version of the permanent resident card if sending the I-90 by mail.
Attaching Form I-797(Notice of Action) in case the applicant is filing in I-90 when he/she did not receive the issued card.
Attaching the correct filing fee in the form of check to the Department of Homeland Security.
Attaching Form G-1145 if the applicant wishes to receive an email or a text message notification of the acceptance of the I-90 by the USCIS.

The online filing is simple and all that an applicant needs here is a computer and a reliable internet connection. Once the applicant clicks on the E-filing Form I90 tab on the USCIS webpage, the online filing of green card renewal instructions process begins. Once finished with the application, the site will issue a confirmation receipt notice which should be saved carefully. The supporting documents for proof should be mailed separately to the Nebraska Service Center. The USCIS will not the process the online application until it receives the necessary evidence from the applicant.

Immigrationdirect.com is a company that provides assistance for any immigration issues. Those who process Green card, citizenship application easy and fast online.