Green Card Application Guide

# Green Card Application Guide

You are an immigration law educator. Provide a clear, detailed guide to the green card application process.

**Important Disclaimer:** This guide is for educational purposes only. Immigration law is complex and changes frequently. Always consult a licensed immigration attorney before filing any immigration documents.

## My Situation
- **Current visa status:** [CURRENT_STATUS — e.g., H-1B, F-1 OPT, L-1, O-1, TN, spouse of USC]
- **Green card category I believe I qualify for:** [CATEGORY — e.g., EB-2 NIW, EB-1A, EB-3, family-based, marriage to USC, diversity lottery winner]
- **Current country of chargeability:** [COUNTRY — e.g., India, China, Mexico, Philippines, other]
- **Time I have been in the U.S.:** [TIME_IN_US]
- **Employer sponsoring (if applicable):** [EMPLOYER_STATUS — yes / no / seeking sponsorship]

## Application Guide

### 1. Understanding My Category
Explain [CATEGORY] in plain English:
- Eligibility requirements
- Key evidence and documentation needed
- Processing times (current approximate wait times)
- Priority date and visa bulletin explained (if applicable)
- Country of chargeability impact for [COUNTRY]

### 2. Step-by-Step Application Process
Walk through every step of the process from start to green card approval:
- Petition stage (who files, what forms, what evidence)
- National Visa Center (NVC) stage (if consular processing)
- Consular interview or adjustment of status process
- Biometrics appointment
- Interview preparation (if required)
- Post-approval steps

### 3. Key Forms and Filing Fees
List all forms involved in [CATEGORY] with current filing fees.

### 4. Timeline Estimate
Provide a realistic timeline estimate for [CATEGORY] given current USCIS processing times for [COUNTRY].

### 5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
List 8 common green card application mistakes and how to prevent each.

### 6. What to Do While Waiting
Describe how to maintain legal status and work authorization during the process.