Planning on moving to america at the end of the year but need some help about going about getting green cards and how long it would take.

So, how do i go about getting a greencard? where would i start? and how long would it take?
thank you

Usually there are three possibilities for obtaining a permanent visa (i.e., a green card): work, family, or the green card lottery.

In order to obtain a green card based on employment, you generally need to have an existing job offer. In some limited instances, you may be eligible to apply for an employment-based green card without an existing job offer if you are considered to have "extraordinary ability" in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. Also, you may be able to apply without an existing job offer if your work in the U.S. would be in the national interest.

As for a family-based green card, you may be eligible for one if you have a spouse or parents who are U.S. citizens or who have a green card, or siblings who are U.S. citizens.

Finally, if you do not qualify under either the work or family categories, you can apply for the green card lottery. To do so you only need to have a high-school diploma (or its equivalent) or 2 years of experience in a job that normally requires at least 2 years of training. Individuals born in a small number of certain countries (including Canada, India, Jamaica, Pakistan, the Philippines, the UK (excluding Northern Ireland)), however, may not be eligible to participate in the lottery.
For a list of those countries and further information you can refer to the following page of my web site :

http://www.immigration-aux-usa.com/DV-Lottery.html

If you have not done so already, you may want to consult our web page for general information about the different types of visas available for coming to the U.S.:

http://www.immigration-aux-usa.com/visas_US.html

Often it is easier and quicker – and more realistic – to apply first for a temporary visa, such as a work visa or an investor visa, and then after you are settled in the US to apply for a green card through one of the categories listed above.

If you have further questions, please feel free to contact us to arrange for an individual consultation.

Edward Weiner
Attorney at Law

E-mail: E.Weiner@immigration-aux-usa.com
Internet Site: http://www.immigration-aux-usa.com/