The green card filing process can be an incredibly stressful and overwhelming experience for you and your family. Incorrect or missing information on your application could have life-changing consequences. You want to be sure you’re doing everything correctly from start to finish.

At Tampa Immigration Law Center, we built our firm on a foundation of trust. We have been providing our clients with advice, guidance, and transparency about the complex immigration process since 2011. If you or your loved ones need legal support for your immigration to the US, contact us today.

For those who are beginning the green card filing process, these five tips will help ensure you are fully prepared for success.

1. Determine your eligibility

Different groups may have unique requirements, so it’s important to determine your eligibility group before you begin the process. The eligibility groups are:

• Through family
• Through employment
• As a special immigrant
• As a refugee or asylee
• For human trafficking and crime victims
• For victims of abuse
• Through other categories
• Through registry

Once you determine which eligibility group you belong to, review your unique requirements and begin the process of building an application package.

2. Read all processes and procedures carefully

Before you begin filling out the forms and collecting your documents, be sure to read all the processes and procedures on the US Citizenship and Immigration Services website. This will help you prepare for the process and to begin with the end in mind.

Once you’ve read and understood the processes and procedures, make a plan for action that makes sense for you. Make a to-do list of each step you need to complete, so you have less of a chance of forgetting or making a mistake.

3. Be sure all details provided in the application form are accurate

Some common mistakes the USCIS highlights on their website are as follows:

• Remember to sign your form.
• Be sure to print the most recent version of the application form.
• Do not leave unanswered questions or prompts.
• Write neatly in black ink.
• Avoid using a highlighter or liquid paper for corrections. You’ll need to start over if you make a mistake, as the scanner may not be able to process the information.
• Be sure your personal information is presented in an identical format on every page of your application. If you write your birthdate as 1/11/1111 on the first page, don't write it 1111/11/11 on the second.
• Double check to ensure you’re paying the correct fee.
• Send your form on single-sided paper.

4. Assemble your documents in a reasonable order

The recommended order for assembling your application package may be regularly updated on the USCIS website.

5. Follow correct mailing instructions

Forms may be submitted through USPS, FedEx, DHL, or UPS. Be sure to double-check the mailing address on your package to ensure it does not get returned to you.

Immigration and Deportation Defense Lawyer in Tampa and Zephyrhills, FL

That concludes our list of five tips for navigating the green card filing process. While the process to immigrate can feel overwhelming at times, we hope this advice helps to guide you.

At Tampa Immigration Law Center, we offer a variety of legal services to immigrants to the US from all over the world. We provide assistance with the following processes:

• Immigration law
• Visa application
• Deportation defense
• Deportation waiver
• Fiance visa
• Green card application
• Victim of crimes visa
• Citizenship application
• Family reunification

Our firm is based on a foundation of trust. Regardless of the challenges you may be facing in your journey to permanently live or work in the US, we will be candid about the potential obstacles and steadfast in our commitment to helping you overcome them.

Contact us to learn more about how we can support you in your journey.