My Green Card Story: From Frankfurt to New York
Application
Most United States visitors only require a tourist visa. Without the correct visa, visitors are not allowed to study or work. To stay here and become a resident, you may require a company-sponsored or student visa, a guarantee provided by a U.S. citizen (e.g. an ‘Au Pair’ arrangement), or get legally married.
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Some visas (e.g. H1-B) can lead to a Green Card. Those who can invest in the U.S. by creating a company/jobs might be able to become residents that way. U.S. immigration rules are tight and this description is by no means complete.
A Green Card is a permit to live and work in the United States of America. The permit is good for all states. As a Green Card holder, I am like any other American. Except that I wasn’t born here, don’t have a U.S. passport, cannot vote, and don’t have to serve on a jury at court. But I can live where I choose to, travel as I wish, and work for any company that hires me. After approximately 5 years, permanent residents can apply for citizenship.
Permanent residency in the U.S. comes with obligations:
A Green Card is a permit to live and work in the United States of America. The permit is good for all states. As a Green Card holder, I am like any other American. Except that I wasn’t born here, don’t have a U.S. passport, cannot vote, and don’t have to serve on a jury at court. But I can live where I choose to, travel as I wish, and work for any company that hires me. After approximately 5 years, permanent residents can apply for citizenship.
Permanent residency in the U.S. comes with obligations:
Moving from Frankfurt to New York was a big step. It is no simple feat to leave home, move to another culture, and start a new life. I had support from friends (existing and new) and family. But it was primarily my dedication that enabled the cultural transition. I suggest that you only start the application process if you are serious about the opportunity. You would need to start all over in another country and culture. You might be largely on you own, in the beginning at least. You may have to leave a part of your current life behind. Some friendships at home won’t last. All this might be even more challenging when moving with an entire family (I was by myself when I arrived in New York.) The point is that relocation because of opportunity is still a tremendous change to work through.
For those who are curious and have an opportunity to come here: do it, if you can. The experience is worth the risk involved and effort required to relocate. Even if only for summer camp, an exchange program, limited work assignment, or an internship, you should consider living in a foreign country when you have the chance. It will expand your knowledge horizon quite significantly. I learned a lot about people, culture, work, life, the world, and myself.
What got me interested in the first place? It was mainly curiosity and the desire for personal growth. I saw (and still see) America as a place with respect for individual effort and as offering plenty of opportunity for those willing to work hard. It is not that Germany does not offer opportunity, but it also isn’t the same. Of course, not everything is perfect in the U.S.. As with any country or society, there is good and bad. It is up to the individual what to make of it.
I had toyed with the idea of moving abroad for a while. My efforts to make an internal company transfer happen or find a job with a visa sponsorship were quasi-serious and unsuccessful. I learned that employers who could consider me would need to have an incentive to sponsor my visa. It is more likely to receive such sponsorship if the worker has unique skills or a college degree. Still, sponsorships are not cheap, need lawyers involved, and require a lot of paperwork. If you work for a U.S. company in your country, see if internal mobility is an option on a sponsored visa, which might lead to a Green Card.
For me, winning the Green Card Lottery opened the door to immigrating to the U.S. All I had to do is find a job, which was a bit challenging since I couldn’t easily show up for face-to-face interviews while I was still residing in Germany (this was before video conferencing was ubiquitous). The timing, however, was good: U.S. companies were looking to fill ~300,000 technology jobs at the time and I had relevant experience.
Below are a few aspects of my Green Card application, mind that today's process may look a little different.
In 1998, I understood that 100,000 candidates are selected in round one of the annual lottery. 55,000 Green Cards are awarded in total, creating approximately a one in two chance to win after round one. Chances might improve if some participants abandon their application. There exist entry criteria and quotas for the Green Card lottery that seem to be designed to ensure that people who eventually become residents also become productive members of society. These were some of the rules/requirements of the application process:
For those who are curious and have an opportunity to come here: do it, if you can. The experience is worth the risk involved and effort required to relocate. Even if only for summer camp, an exchange program, limited work assignment, or an internship, you should consider living in a foreign country when you have the chance. It will expand your knowledge horizon quite significantly. I learned a lot about people, culture, work, life, the world, and myself.
What got me interested in the first place? It was mainly curiosity and the desire for personal growth. I saw (and still see) America as a place with respect for individual effort and as offering plenty of opportunity for those willing to work hard. It is not that Germany does not offer opportunity, but it also isn’t the same. Of course, not everything is perfect in the U.S.. As with any country or society, there is good and bad. It is up to the individual what to make of it.
I had toyed with the idea of moving abroad for a while. My efforts to make an internal company transfer happen or find a job with a visa sponsorship were quasi-serious and unsuccessful. I learned that employers who could consider me would need to have an incentive to sponsor my visa. It is more likely to receive such sponsorship if the worker has unique skills or a college degree. Still, sponsorships are not cheap, need lawyers involved, and require a lot of paperwork. If you work for a U.S. company in your country, see if internal mobility is an option on a sponsored visa, which might lead to a Green Card.
For me, winning the Green Card Lottery opened the door to immigrating to the U.S. All I had to do is find a job, which was a bit challenging since I couldn’t easily show up for face-to-face interviews while I was still residing in Germany (this was before video conferencing was ubiquitous). The timing, however, was good: U.S. companies were looking to fill ~300,000 technology jobs at the time and I had relevant experience.
Below are a few aspects of my Green Card application, mind that today's process may look a little different.
In 1998, I understood that 100,000 candidates are selected in round one of the annual lottery. 55,000 Green Cards are awarded in total, creating approximately a one in two chance to win after round one. Chances might improve if some participants abandon their application. There exist entry criteria and quotas for the Green Card lottery that seem to be designed to ensure that people who eventually become residents also become productive members of society. These were some of the rules/requirements of the application process:
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An application can be disqualified if it lacks form or misses content. When selected in the first round, applicants must participate in an interview in the nearest consulate. Prior to the interview, additional documentation is required (e.g. bank records, resume, etc.). 'Evidence of Support’ needs to be provided, too (e.g. proof of stock or property ownership, savings, cash value of insurance policies, a letter from a company that confirms employment after arrival, a guarantee from a U.S. person, or other sources of support ). The instructions clearly stated which documents I had to send and which one's were required for the interview. Additionally, I had to pay a fee and agree to a physician examination in a doctor's office chosen by the consulate. I expected that the decision would be revealed at the end of the interview and was told that no reason would be given if my application was denied.
Should you apply, be sure to read the instructions and complete all forms correctly. Include supporting evidence/documentation where suitable. If you cannot satisfy the minimum requirements, the application may not be successful. If you apply, the sequence may be as follows:
If step two above does not happen, try again next year.
The initial application was only two pages long and required me to supply two passport photos. I paid a service provider to submit the document for me in a timely manner. Perhaps I could have saved the service provider fee, but it was convenient. If you do it on your own, be sure to understand all forms, requirements, and deadlines. I remember reading that applications should not be sent by courier or return-receipted (regular mail only).
Once the application was sent, I recommend patience. Do not quit your job or make moving plans. Most likely you will only know for sure of the outcome of your application for a Green Card at the end of the interview in the consulate.
Some of the documents I had to prepare included:
Should you apply, be sure to read the instructions and complete all forms correctly. Include supporting evidence/documentation where suitable. If you cannot satisfy the minimum requirements, the application may not be successful. If you apply, the sequence may be as follows:
- Submit application (within the time window), a receipt notice may be sent
- Receive confirmation that you were selected along with a request for documentation (receiving this could take a few months)
- Prepare required documents, prepare translations, and send selected items in advance (I would do this quickly)
- Receive an invitation for the interview (again, this could take a few months)
- Attend the interview in the consulate
- Pay the application fee
- Visit the physician for the examination
- Receive the decision and a temporary visa if successful
- Travel to the US within the period specified in the temporary visa, it otherwise expires (more on this below)
- Receive the actual Green Card several months after arrival in the U.S.
If step two above does not happen, try again next year.
The initial application was only two pages long and required me to supply two passport photos. I paid a service provider to submit the document for me in a timely manner. Perhaps I could have saved the service provider fee, but it was convenient. If you do it on your own, be sure to understand all forms, requirements, and deadlines. I remember reading that applications should not be sent by courier or return-receipted (regular mail only).
Once the application was sent, I recommend patience. Do not quit your job or make moving plans. Most likely you will only know for sure of the outcome of your application for a Green Card at the end of the interview in the consulate.
Some of the documents I had to prepare included:
Documents in foreign languages need to be translated into English. Consider using a certified translation office and be sure to keep copies of every single sheet of paper supplied with the application.
Also, keep an open mind while preparing supporting documentation for the application. I planned to use a letter from my bank showing my account history as 'Evidence of Support'. However, they wanted to charge a ridiculous fee for producing such a document. To help satisfy the application requirement, I used monthly statements to create a chart. The application instructions did not specify that a chart was required, but I thought it would be helpful to illustrate my savings history. The point is that evidence can be presented in various ways in a compelling and truthful manner.
The timeline of my Green Card application was as follows:
Also, keep an open mind while preparing supporting documentation for the application. I planned to use a letter from my bank showing my account history as 'Evidence of Support'. However, they wanted to charge a ridiculous fee for producing such a document. To help satisfy the application requirement, I used monthly statements to create a chart. The application instructions did not specify that a chart was required, but I thought it would be helpful to illustrate my savings history. The point is that evidence can be presented in various ways in a compelling and truthful manner.
The timeline of my Green Card application was as follows:
For the interview, I brought the remainder of the required documents along with photocopies of all previous correspondence. The interview itself was surprisingly short. The laid-back, very courteous consul asked why I wanted to immigrate to America and what I did for living. He glanced over my documents and made me swear under oath that all information in the application is true. I was a little dumbfounded when he congratulated me. And quite thrilled.
I had to resolve two issues before I could relocate: provide (1) more complete evidence of vaccinations, and (2) a U.S. mailing address. Not being able to show documentation about certain vaccinations (I probably never received them) meant to visit a physician and get a few shots. The mailing address is used to deliver the actual Green Card within a few months after arrival in the U.S (the address cannot be supplied at a later time, it is required to finish processing the application). Within a few weeks, I had proof of the missing vaccinations and the U.S. address of a friend's relative who gave me permission to use it. After providing both to the consulate, I received my temporary visa (valid for six months). This meant that I had to show up at the border within this time to formally immigrate to the U.S.. It didn't mean that I couldn't return to Germany temporarily after that time. I traveled to the U.S. for job interviews in March 1998, which fell within the specified 6-month period. Showing up at the border (in Kennedy Airport) with the temporary visa started the last phase of the immigration process. I returned to Germany after concluding my interviews, to pack up and move for good. The actual Green Card arrived in the spring of the following year.
Until today, I am being asked by immigration officers almost every time when I return from a trip abroad how many days I was away. The Green Card requires me to be in the U.S. a minimum number of days every year, to maintain my residency. I have heard of Green Card owners who do not live in the U.S. but perhaps frequently travel here to maintain their status. Whether this is a sustainable strategy in the long-term I am not sure.
I had to resolve two issues before I could relocate: provide (1) more complete evidence of vaccinations, and (2) a U.S. mailing address. Not being able to show documentation about certain vaccinations (I probably never received them) meant to visit a physician and get a few shots. The mailing address is used to deliver the actual Green Card within a few months after arrival in the U.S (the address cannot be supplied at a later time, it is required to finish processing the application). Within a few weeks, I had proof of the missing vaccinations and the U.S. address of a friend's relative who gave me permission to use it. After providing both to the consulate, I received my temporary visa (valid for six months). This meant that I had to show up at the border within this time to formally immigrate to the U.S.. It didn't mean that I couldn't return to Germany temporarily after that time. I traveled to the U.S. for job interviews in March 1998, which fell within the specified 6-month period. Showing up at the border (in Kennedy Airport) with the temporary visa started the last phase of the immigration process. I returned to Germany after concluding my interviews, to pack up and move for good. The actual Green Card arrived in the spring of the following year.
Until today, I am being asked by immigration officers almost every time when I return from a trip abroad how many days I was away. The Green Card requires me to be in the U.S. a minimum number of days every year, to maintain my residency. I have heard of Green Card owners who do not live in the U.S. but perhaps frequently travel here to maintain their status. Whether this is a sustainable strategy in the long-term I am not sure.
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So, here I was. Green Card in hand. Ready to go to the U.S. I had to be (and wanted to be) relocated within 6 months. For that to be possible, I started a job search.