6 Steps to Secure Your Residencia Americana 2024

Introduction

Now That You’re Planning to Move to the U.S. to Become a Resident (with the hope of becoming an American citizen), here’s How to Get a Green Card for Residency in the U.S.!

For 2024, 608,000 plus lawfully present individuals received lawful permanent residency in the U.S.

In this Guide to Green Cards, we’re outlining the process step by step. It’s meant to serve as a helpful guide for persons of all backgrounds, but, in addition to offering information pertaining to the process, we will also cover the most common problems encountered by applicants and provide an explanation on how to deal with them in order to avoid having problems with your Green Card application.

Understand the Basics of U.S. Residency

Securing your future in America by becoming a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) is a major step for many individuals looking to immigrate to the U.S. A lawful permanent resident, or Green Card holder, can reside in the U.S. and work for any U.S. employer. In addition, the lawful permanent resident can travel abroad and return to the U.S. at will. However, like with any right granted by the government to its citizens and legal residents alike, there are corresponding responsibilities of the lawful permanent residents that must be aware of and that they must fulfill in order to successfully complete their application for residency in the U.S. The corresponding responsibilities of lawful permanent residents in the U.S. that need to be aware of are explained in detail below in this section.

• The ability to live anywhere in the U.S.
• The freedom to work for any employer
• The option to travel outside the U.S. and return

However, as with any right, there are corresponding responsibilities that permanent residents must be aware of and meet. These include:

• Maintaining your primary residence in the U.S.
• Paying taxes on your worldwide income
• Renewing your Green Card every ten years

Last year, over 608,000 individuals residing in the U.S. became lawful permanent residents. If you are currently searching for and applying for residency in the U.S., this information, including the new changes in recent immigration policies, such as the recent change in immigration policy requiring the submission of a medical examination form by all applicants, which will become effective as of June 11, 2025, will help you understand the process of searching for and applying for residency in the U.S. and give you peace of mind.

It would be great to speak with one of our experienced attorneys at Vasquez Law Firm regarding your situation and explore your available options for obtaining lawful permanent resident status in the U.S. In order to better serve the needs of our clients, Vasquez Law Firm is proud to offer a FREE initial consultation to everyone who contacts our office regarding potential immigration matters. Throughout the last decade, Vasquez Law Firm has successfully served the U.S. immigration needs of a diverse group of clients, including individuals, families and employers, all of whom are either residing in the U.S. or are attempting to relocate to the U.S. From our headquarters in McAllen, Texas, our experienced attorneys at Vasquez Law Firm are able to represent clients from all over the United States as well as from countries around the world. Our qualified immigration attorneys are available to speak with you in English and in Spanish, the official language of many Latin American countries.

As part of our practice to serve the interests of our clients, we at the Vasquez Law Firm are also committed to serving the needs of the community. The Susan G. Komen 5K for the Cure to find a cure for breast cancer, the Walk to Cure Diabetes to find a cure for diabetes, and the Latin Wine and Food Experience are just a few of the events that we at the Vasquez Law Firm participate in from time to time. The Vasquez Law Firm regularly holds free legal clinics throughout the year where we discuss the latest issues and developments in U.S. Immigration law. The main goal of the Vasquez Law Firm is to help families from around the world succeed in their efforts to migrate to the U.S. and become U.S. citizens. The Vasquez Law Firm can assist with any questions or problems that you are having with respect to your applications for Green Cards or for obtaining visas to enter the U.S. We have flexible payment plans, and we also offer contingency fee arrangements for cases involving personal injury.

Determine Your Eligibility for Residency

Lost in the U.S. residency maze? Here are some ways to get your residencia americana 2024.

1. Family-Based: You may be eligible for a family-based visa to obtain a U.S. resident status if you have a relative who is a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. As illustrated in the chart above, the percentage of family-based green cards issued by USCIS for permanent residency in the U.S. for a U.S. green card for family members has ranged from a low of 48% in 2007 to a high of over 55% in 2023. Family-based applicants and their sponsoring relatives will need to provide detailed and credible documentation to support family-based visa petitions, as part of USCIS’s efforts to improve and enhance its fraud detection and national security screening processes. In addition, as part of USCIS’s enhanced fraud detection and national security measures for family-based immigration, USCIS will be collecting and analyzing additional information to verify the legitimacy of family relationships in support of approved family-based visa petitions.
2. Employment-Based: There are many ways to qualify for an employment-based visa, such as having a job offer from a U.S. employer, or possessing ‘‘extraordinary ability’’ in your field of work. For example, in 2023, employment-based applicants received 14.5% of the total green cards distributed for permanent residency in the U.S. (total: 55,000). In order to get residency, an applicant would need to apply for residency first and gather the necessary documents, which can change, so make sure to get the most up-to-date information on necessary documents for permanent residency 2024.
3. Refugee or Asylee Status: After 1 year from the date of entry to the U.S., refugees as well as people who have received asylum can apply for residency. In 2023, refugees and asylees received 7.3% of total green cards issued for permanent residency or 4,032 in total for residency or U.S. green cards 2024. However, USCIS is currently expanding a number of programs to help both refugees and asylees achieve permanent resident status and continue to live in the U.S. with their families in their new home in the U.S. for U.S. residency in 2024.
4. Diversity Visa Lottery: There are limited numbers of Diversity Immigrant Visas available each year for individuals from countries with low immigration to the U.S. They are awarded by lottery. Eligible individuals from countries with low immigration can register for the Diversity Visa Lottery Program when the online registration for the next year of awards becomes available on October 6th of the current year. All numbers for selection in the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program will be randomly selected by USCIS by mid-July of the following year and selected entrants will be able to download and complete Form DS-260 to begin the process of applying for a visa for residency through this means.

Please note, June 11, 2025, all applications for Permanent Status require completion of a Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. These requirements are going to create significant challenges for those planning for status as a Permanent Resident and therefore applicants will need to plan well in advance in order to ensure all documents and forms are timely submitted in support of their respective permanent resident status application for U.S. green card.

This webpage contains general information for individuals who are seeking to become lawful permanent residents of the U.S. (i.e., obtain a U.S. green card) and are preparing their applications for permanent resident status. For the most current information about the permanent resident applications process, or for eligibility requirements to apply for and receive a U.S. green card, please refer to the official USCIS website for permanent resident status.

Gather Required Documentation for Your Application

Residency Application Supporting Documents Needed to Apply for Permanent Residency to Get Green Card. As each Residency Application is distinct, we can find it difficult to identify necessary Residency Application Supporting Documents that have to be included with Residency Application to apply for permanent residency to obtain a Green Card and obtain a right to reside in the U.S. here.

• Form I-485: Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. (As of February 10, 2025 only the new edition of Form I-485, published on December 10, 2024, will be accepted).
• Form I-130 or I-140: Immigrant petition (if applicable).
• Proof of Eligibility: You must submit copies of documents (such as your birth certificate, or marriage certificate), which confirm your eligibility to apply for Residency in the U.S. Also, letters from your employer that state your job title and how long you’ve been with the company.
• Financial Documents: Examples of documents to prove financial support of the applicant are tax returns and bank statements.
• Medical Examination Results: Form I-693 completed by a authorized physician and sealed in an envelope. The completed Form I-693 must be submitted with the Form I-485 application for adjustment of status. The failure to submit the required Form I-693 with your residency application may result in the denial of your application for legal permanent resident status.
• Passport Photos: Recent passport-style photographs.

In addition to possibly affecting the ability of individuals to travel on advance parole and apply for residency, the new rule will have a number of implications for individuals seeking to obtain Residency. We at Stember & Loggia wish you the very best and hope that your efforts to obtain residency are successful and that you have the required documents to apply for residency.

Complete Your Application Forms Accurately

Filling Out Application Forms - The Major Steps - The Many Details. We have been helping the many applicants for recent job openings complete their application forms. We have found that there are many details that must be included and that it can be very complicated to fill out these forms for recent job openings.

1. Read the application form’s instructions and try to understand them. This seems like a no-brainer but each form has specific requirements that you need to fill in. If you don’t read the application form’s instructions, you’re bound to run into problems and have a stressful time.
2. For mailing applicants: Please use black ink when filling out the application to ensure readability. The application should look professional when it is sent in the mail.
3. Information on Application Form must match information on Supporting Documents. Information on Application Form must match information on Supporting Documents. This is important to avoid confusion during the Application Process.
4. Error-Free Application at Your Fingertips. Every detail counts. Ensure that no errors are contained in your completed application and supporting documents prior to your submission.
5. Sign and date the application forms. The ERAS system is programmed to automatically reject all unsigned and undated application forms.

As the ERAS 2024 season for submission requests gets underway on June 7, 2023, we have listed online resources and specific guides to aid in completing and accurately submitting your application forms. Remember that even the smallest of errors can cause delays and ultimately prevent you from securing an opportunity that is very important to you.

Submit Your Application and Pay Fees

We help with the residency application process. Here we summarize what you need to do in order to apply for Residencia Americana 2024. As with anything else, there are requirements and an application and approval process that seems to be changing.

1. Select Your Application for Processing: You will choose the method to submit your application for processing with USCIS. The online version of your application for processing will be approved of much faster than the mailed-in version with the required supporting documentation and payment of applicable fees.
2. Fees for Residency in the USA: As previously stated, the required fees for processing a Green Card for Residencia Americana 2024 will vary depending on the method of application. Firstly, online application via the USCIS website will incur less in terms of processing fees than submitting by post. Presently, the processing fee for Form I-485, the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, for adults applying for Residencia Americana 2024 is $1,440. Youngsters applying for residency with their parents are required to pay less for processing their Residencia Americana application. For youngsters under the age of 18, the processing fee for Residencia Americana for minors is presently set at $950. Online payment for Residencia Americana 2024 via credit card, debit card or bank transfer is accepted. In addition, payment by check or money order is also possible when submitting your application by mail. For greater detail on the fees, please read our explanation on fees for Residencia Americana 2024. If you are unable to make payment for residency fees, we have created special payment plans for applicants requiring legal assistance for Green Card for Residencia Americana 2024.
3. Keep Copies: In addition to sending in your request for residency with all the required supporting documentation, it is wise to keep copies for your own reference purposes. In future you may need to reference your submission.
4. Track Your Submission: When you mail your documents for processing with a trackable delivery service, you can track the delivery and receipt of your documents by USCIS. Proof of submission is very important and you should follow up if necessary.

We have outlined the recent change in the application fees for the residency application. For your ease and guidance we have detailed the recent application changes. We are here for you every step of the way in this time of change for the Application for Residencia Americana 2024 in order to ensure your Application for Residencia approval.

Follow Up on Your Application Status

Follow this link to learn what is going on with your application.

1. Have you checked the USCIS Case Status Online Tool? If you submitted a receipt for service, this online tool can check on the status of any pending cases and verify receipt numbers for the most up-to-date information.
2. Create an online account with USCIS. Your application will automatically update on your online account. In the online account, you will receive notifications for each of your requests.
3. Also, note that if your request is not being processed in a timely manner and you have further questions or concerns, you can contact USCIS directly via phone at the Customer Service number listed above for assistance.
4. Processing time can vary from case to case and therefore enough time for processing has to be allowed. While, for example, the average processing time for naturalization applications is 9.5 months (as of April 2026), other forms of application are processed even slower. The processing time for an I-90 application to replace a Permanent Resident Card has, for example, even increased by over 1000% from FY2025 Q1 to FY2026 Q1. However, applicants can check the current estimated processing time on the USCIS Processing Times web page.

Being informed helps you to know what step you are at in your immigration process and what to do next.

Conclusion

Becoming a resident in the US is a long and arduous process, but it will all be worth it in the end when you can finally live in America with your very own Green Card.

In documenting the process, it is very important to fill out all of the required application forms in the most accurate way possible. In addition, it is also very important to know the costs of applying as well as the processing time for each step of the process in order to avoid any possible delays or denials.

Yes, the process of becoming a resident of the US is more than filling out forms and applications. We want to be there to support you every step of the way, during your journey to Green Card status. Vasquez Law Firm can be your voice in obtaining your residency in the US. Our team of experienced immigration lawyers are here to help you with any questions or concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder)?

A lawful permanent resident, or Green Card holder, is an individual who can reside in the U.S. and work for any U.S. employer, as well as travel abroad and return to the U.S. at will.

What responsibilities do lawful permanent residents have?

Lawful permanent residents must maintain their primary residence in the U.S., pay taxes on their worldwide income, and renew their Green Card every ten years.

How many individuals became lawful permanent residents in the last year?

Last year, over 608,000 individuals residing in the U.S. became lawful permanent residents.

What recent changes in immigration policy should applicants be aware of?

A new immigration policy requires the submission of a medical examination form by all applicants, effective June 11, 2025.

How can Vasquez Law Firm assist individuals seeking residency in the U.S.?

Vasquez Law Firm offers free initial consultations for immigration matters and has experienced attorneys who can help clients navigate the residency application process.

What are the main pathways to obtain U.S. residency?

The main pathways include family-based visas, employment-based visas, refugee or asylee status, and the Diversity Visa Lottery.

What is required for family-based visa applications?

Family-based applicants and their sponsoring relatives must provide detailed and credible documentation to support their visa petitions.

How can individuals qualify for an employment-based visa?

Individuals can qualify for an employment-based visa by having a job offer from a U.S. employer or by demonstrating 'extraordinary ability' in their field.

What is the Diversity Visa Lottery?

The Diversity Visa Lottery is a program that awards limited numbers of immigrant visas to individuals from countries with low immigration to the U.S., selected randomly by lottery.

What new requirement will be in place for permanent status applications starting June 11, 2025?

All applications for permanent status will require the completion of Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record.

List of Sources

1. Understand the Basics of U.S. Residency
   • Trump admin changes requirements for green cards 'effective immediately' (https://san.com/cc/trump-admin-changes-requirements-for-green-cards-effective-immediately)
   • Welcome.US (https://welcome.us/policy-updates/recent-policy-news)
   • Trump administration to force foreigners in the US to apply for a green card abroad (https://apnews.com/article/immigration-green-cards-uscis-citizenship-border-trump-8f64f9ada5c3f04e511a7b3cf43eaa13)
   • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Will Grant ‘Adjustment of Status’ Only in Extraordinary Circumstances | USCIS (https://uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/us-citizenship-and-immigration-services-will-grant-adjustment-of-status-only-in-extraordinary)
   • New USCIS Memo May Force More Green Card Applicants to Apply from Abroad, Causing Chaos and Confusion - American Immigration Council (https://americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/green-card-news-uscis-memo)
2. Determine Your Eligibility for Residency
   • Trump admin changes requirements for green cards 'effective immediately' (https://san.com/cc/trump-admin-changes-requirements-for-green-cards-effective-immediately)
   • How many immigrants get green cards every year? | USAFacts (https://usafacts.org/answers/how-many-immigrants-get-green-cards-every-year/country/united-states)
   • USCIS Issues Guidance Regarding Family-Based Immigration Policy | USCIS (https://uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-issues-guidance-regarding-family-based-immigration-policy)
   • Naturalization Statistics | USCIS (https://uscis.gov/citizenship-resource-center/naturalization-statistics)
   • Family-Based Immigration - American Immigration Council (https://americanimmigrationcouncil.org/about-immigration/family-based-immigration)
3. Gather Required Documentation for Your Application
   • New USCIS Memo May Force More Green Card Applicants to Apply from Abroad, Causing Chaos and Confusion - American Immigration Council (https://americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/green-card-news-uscis-memo)
   • USCIS Issues New Policy Guidance on Adjustment of Status Applications (https://oiss.yale.edu/news/uscis-issues-new-policy-guidance-on-adjustment-of-status-applications)
   • Top 5 Things to Know about the New USCIS Adjustment of Status Policy (https://quarles.com/newsroom/publications/top-5-things-to-know-about-the-new-uscis-adjustment-of-status-policy)
   • USCIS Revised Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | USCIS (https://uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-revised-form-i-485-application-to-register-permanent-residence-or-adjust-status)
4. Complete Your Application Forms Accurately
   • Top 10 Residency Application Mistakes to Avoid | Match A Resident (https://blog.matcharesident.com/top-10-residency-application-mistakes-avoid)
   • Applying to residency: What’s new for the 2023-2024 cycle (https://thedo.osteopathic.org/columns/preparing-for-eras-whats-new-for-the-2023-2024-residency-application-cycle)
   • Top Residency Match Mistakes (and How to Fix Them) (https://residentsmedical.com/top-residency-match-mistakes-and-how-to-fix-them)
   • 7 Common Mistakes in Residency Applications & How to Avoi... (https://residencyadvisor.com/resources/common-residency-mistakes/7-deadly-sins-residency-applications-avoid-to-improve-chances)
   • Your Guide to the ERAS Application (https://medschoolcoach.com/resource/eras-application-guide)
5. Submit Your Application and Pay Fees
   • Frequently Asked Questions on the USCIS Fee Rule | USCIS (https://uscis.gov/archive/frequently-asked-questions-on-the-uscis-fee-rule)
   • New USCIS Memo May Force More Green Card Applicants to Apply from Abroad, Causing Chaos and Confusion - American Immigration Council (https://americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/green-card-news-uscis-memo)
   • Client Advisory: USCIS Set to Increase Fees Effective April 1, 2024 - FordMurray Law (https://fordmurraylaw.com/client-advisory-uscis-fee-increases-2024)
   • Reminder: Updated Fees Based on H.R. 1 (https://uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-updates-fees-based-on-hr-1)
6. Follow Up on Your Application Status
   • All News (https://uscis.gov/newsroom/all-news)
   • USCIS Processing Times for Common Immigration Documents (https://boundless.com/immigration-resources/uscis-processing-times)
   • Legal Immigration in Numbers: June 2026 Status Update - Niskanen Center (https://niskanencenter.org/immigrationdata)
   • Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States (https://migrationpolicy.org/journal/spotlight/frequently-requested-statistics-immigrants-and-immigration-united-states)
   • New Dashboard Reveals Insights Into USCIS Backlogs and Processing Trends - American Immigration Council (https://americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/uscis-backlogs-processing-trends-dashboard)