How to obtain a Green Card
Those who dream of purchasing USA real estate often find themselves searching for Florida property for sale. Relaxing in the warm sunshine, exploring the great outdoors and lounging on pristine beaches are images that certainly appeal to many holidaymakers. But what about making a permanent home in property in Florida? Is it really possible?
Why make your permanent home in the US?
Keeping a holiday home on Florida land is a very attractive option for many UK citizens. There is a world of outdoor adventures to enjoy; lovely weather nearly all the year round, fantastic entertainment, vibrant cities, quiet country hamlets, a variety of natural beauty, some of the world’s best family attractions and so much more. Yet what many people don’t realise about owning overseas property is that there are restrictions on how much time can be spent there if the US real estate is not a permanent residence.
While UK citizens are able to travel to the US on holiday without a visa, those who wish to stay for more than 90 days are required to secure the proper documents. Therefore, UK citizens that own property in America are limited in how long they can enjoy their second home, and those who wish to make a property in Florida their primary residence, even for just half a year, are prevented from doing so.
The way around this limitation is to obtain an American Green Card.
Qualifying for a Green Card
There are a number of ways in which UK citizens can qualify for a Green Card, which allows the holder to claim permanent or semi-permanent residency in the United States.
Family-based: there are two types of family-based immigration.
- A UK citizen who is the relative of a US citizen is eligible for a Green Card. These include spouses, unmarried children or stepchildren under the age of 21, adopted children under the age of 18, parents or stepparents, unmarried sons or daughters over 21, married sons or daughters of any age, and brothers or sisters.
- A UK citizen who is related to a current Green Card holder in good standing can also obtain their own Green Card. These include spouses, unmarried children or stepchildren under 21 years, adopted children under the age of 18 and unmarried sons or daughters over 21.
Employment-based: employment-based immigration includes a number of options for UK citizens.
- First preference is given to anyone with some extraordinary ability, professors or researchers outstanding in their field, and executives or managers of multinational corporations.
- Second preference is given to those with advanced degrees, with exceptional ability, and exceptional researchers and professors.
- National Interest Waiver (NIW) is offered to those with exceptional ability or advanced degrees who partake in activities that benefit US special interest.
- Third preference is given to professionals that hold a bachelor’s degree from an American university (or the foreign equivalent), skilled and unskilled workers.
- Registered nurses and physical therapists or persons qualified to work in any of a number of specific shortage occupations are also given preference.
Other methods:
- Green Card lottery (conducted by the US Department of State)
- Foreign entrepreneurs
- Adopted children
- Foreign Nationals
- Humanitarian cases
- Diplomats
- Asylum seekers
- Refugees
- Special immigrants (according to a specific list)
