The ultimate green card guide for families, asylum seekers, and more Find out about the most promising opportunities for U.S. lawful residence and how to handle the complex application procedures in How to Get a Green Card . This book has helped countless immigrants over the years—especially ones lacking the skills or luck to have an employer sponsoring them. You’ll find out how to work with U.S. officials and prepare and present the right documents at the right time to get a green card through: parents, siblings, or adult children - a U.S. spouse or fiancé - green card lotteries (diversity visa) - political asylum or refugee status - a U visa for crime victims, or - another category you might qualify for. Best of all, you’ll learn how to avoid common mistakes and pitfalls that can cause major delays or ruin your chances for success. The 17th edition covers raised income requirements for immigrants and the latest procedural requirements, including heightened vetting of applications. It also includes filled-in samples of all key application forms. "Provides a nuts-and-bolts guide on obtaining a green card to work and live in the United States..." Orange County Register "Green card seekers: Look no further ... Asian Week. "A definitive book that is also easy to read." Fort Worth Star Telegram "Highly recommended." Library Journal "Now in an updated 13th edition, How to Get a Green Card a user-friendly, step-by-step guide to determining whether one is eligible for permanent residence in the United States, and successfully applying for a "green card" document that grants that permission. Chapters offer in- depth assistance for filling out application forms, including plenty of sample forms. Since American law is constantly changing, How to Get a Green Card comes with free legal updates on immigration rules, accessible via the publisher's Nolo.com website. "Nonattorney practitioners, visa consults, [etc.] litter the immigration marketplace... be wary - especially if they promise you a green card without any hassle for a certain amount of money. Aside from the fact that it is unlawful to practice immigration law without being admitted by a state bar association, there is no way you can check on these individuals' expertise, and nowhere to complain if their services are poor." An index rounds out this absolute "must-have" for anyone considering earning their own green card." The Midwest Book Review Author comments: While practicing immigration law, I helped hundreds of people obtain immigrant visas and green cards. Like other attorneys, I couldn’t believe how complex both the laws and the bureaucratic procedures were. There are simply too many ways for green-card applicants to make mistakes, and U.S. immigration officials sometimes further complicate matters by making mistakes of their own! Having switched from active law practice to writing, I am committed, with the help of a team of updaters, to making sure the average person, who lacks an employee sponsor, can understand the most likely ways to gain U.S. residence—as well as when and why it might be worth consulting with or hiring an attorney for assistance. This book has been popular with readers for many years, and we make sure that every edition is completely reviewed, updated, and improved. Ilona Bray, J.D. is an award-winning author and legal editor at Nolo, specializing in immigration law, real estate, and nonprofit fundraising. Many of her books are consistent Nolo bestsellers, among them Effective Fundraising for Nonprofits, U.S. Immigration Made Easy , and Nolo's Essential Guide to Buying Your First Home . She particularly enjoys interviewing people and weaving their stories into her books. Bray's working background includes solo practice, nonprofit, and corporate stints, as well as long periods of volunteering, including an internship at Amnesty International's main legal office in London. She received her law degree and a Master's degree in East Asian (Chinese) Studies from the University of Washington. In her spare time she enjoys writing children’s books, going to open houses, and gardening.