Green card eligibility is largely determined by a few key factors that can be broken down fairly easily into either the requirement for the green card or the individual or group applying. Green card types impact rules and regulations covering eligibility in many ways, for example:
• Investor visas and green cards – Investors with sufficient liquid assets may actually be able to invest their way to green card eligibility. In these cases some of the more strict laws that might keep someone else out of the country for lesser problems (past DUI, etc.) may be lifted but a suitable sponsor investment will be required.
• Immigration vs. non-immigration – Immigration based green cards require a great deal of support and documentation whereas non-immigration visas that can eventually be turned into a green card are usually easier to get. Unfortunately few have a choice as to which they want to do.
• Specialty green cards – Green cards for long term study, employment, etc. are all very special cases that are very difficult to get compared to their visa counterparts.
Of course, individuals or groups applying for immigration or non-immigration approval may also impact the success rate via eligibility in a few key ways:
• Criminal history – Criminal histories may be overlooked if they are not significant but are likely to be a major issue if they prove to be riddled with serious crimes.
• Documentation – Documenting everything that is on a green card application properly is time consuming, difficult, and often expensive.
• Sponsorship – Most green cards require a sponsor of some sort. Finding the correct sponsor with all the correct documentation may not be a simple task.