How to Get a Green Card [Paperback]

Ilona Bray (Author), Loida Nicolas Lewis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 141330852X | ISBN-13: 978-1413308525 | Publication Date: May 25, 2008 | Edition: 8th

Applying for a U.S. green card? Read this book first! The U.S. immigration system is an enormous bureaucracy. It's vital that you understand all the requirements for getting a green card before starting your application -- making a mistake can ruin your chances. Fortunately, How to Get a Green Card provides everything you need to understand whether you're eligible, and then make it through the bureaucratic maze. Find out how to work with U.S. officials, how to prepare and present the right documents, and what to expect every step of the way. Learn the quickest way to get a green card through parents, siblings and adult children, spouses and fianc s, green card lotteries, political asylum or refugee status and other categories. The 7th edition is completely revised to reflect the latest application procedures, laws and fees. It also shows how to find the latest required forms online, and provides filled-out sample forms. This book is not appropriate for those seeking work-related green cards. (20090101)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Though many how-to books on the subject have been published, none have come with better credentials than this up-to-date, well-presented guide. (The Irish Herald 20090101)

Green card seekers: Look no further. (Asian Week 20090101)

A definitive book that is also easy to read. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram 20090101)

The clearest, most accurate explanation of immigration laws for nonlawyers thus far. (Immigration Law Today 20090101)

Highly recommended. (Library Journal )

Provides a nuts-and-bolts guide on obtaining a green card to work and live in the United States... (Orange County Register )

About the Author

Bray is an author and legal editor at Nolo, specializing in real estate, immigration law, and nonprofit fundraising. She is co-author of Nolo's Essential Guide to Buying Your First Home and also edits a number of Nolo's small business books. Bray's working background includes solo practice, nonprofit, and corporate stints, as well as long periods of volunteering, including an internship at Amnesty International's main legal office in London. She received her law degree and a Masters degree in East Asian (Chinese) Studies from the University of Washington.

Loida Nicolas Lewis is a former INS attorney with over 15 years experience handling U.S. immigration matters. Co-author of Nolo's How to Get a Green Card, she is licensed to practice law in both New York and the Philippines. A native of Sorsogon, Philippines, Ms. Nicolas Lewis holds the distinction of being the first Asian woman to pass the New York State Bar without having studied in the United States.

Product Details

• Paperback: 326 pages
• Publisher: NOLO; 8th edition (May 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141330852X
• ISBN-13: 978-1413308525
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,365,462 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #62 in Books > Education & Reference > Education > Citizenship

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars broad but not deep, August 8, 2000

By 

Logginz (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Get a Green Card: Legal Ways to Stay in the U.S.A. (3rd ed) (Paperback)

This is another book I wish I had flipped through before purchasing. There are MANY paths to a green card, they are complicated and subtle and only a couple of them will apply to a given individual. This book tries to cover them all in 350 odd pages, about a THIRD of which are photocopies of INS forms. This implies, of course, that depth of treatment is very light. If you have a question of any sophistication, you won't find the answer here. In my case I had a set of questions about the EAD (employment authorization document) and what exactly it permits, and was greeted by ONE paragraph which didn't even describe what it really is. On the important decision of Adjustment Of Status vs. Consular Processing I got no intelligent help. It leaned towards the AOS route without even mentioning that this could take you *3 years* to get through. (BTW, I found much more information on these topics online.)

I can't figure out who this book is for. If it's for someone with an immigration attorney wanting an overview of the process, then I don't get why it has so many photocopied forms. If it's for do-it-yourselfers, the shallow treatment will at best give you a false sense of security that you know what's going on. If it's for an immigration professional, then the coverage of all cases might be nice, but again the shallowness will make it nearly useless. I do know that if you're taking an employment-based route to immigration, this book will be of little help.

I bought this book because of a great experience with another Nolo press book. This one has been almost useless to me.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Shallow book with no real information, February 16, 2006

By 

mbiscoito (AL, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How To Get A Green Card: Legal Ways to Stay in the U.S.A. (Paperback)

I am lawyer from Brazil, and wanted to get real information about the green card application process (without having to go through the dry explanation in the INS website) and was completely disapointed and upset when I received this book. It does not cover anything in depth, and wastes a lot of time talking about temporary visas, fiance visas (I thougt it was supposed to explain about greencards!), special greencards for amerasians (which is not a very common situation)...
As for what I was really interested in, which was the green card application process for work-related reasons, there is a small, incomplete paragraph and a suggestion that I find an attorney!!!!
Waste of money, useless -- if you want to get a green card, either find another book, check the INS website, or hire a lawyer, this book will not help at all.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Shows your options and helps to make decisions, September 6, 2002

By 

Lenny (Midwest, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Get a Green Card: Legal Ways to Stay in the U.S.A., 4th Ed (Paperback)

I believe this book may be of interest to many readers.
First of all, it explains how visitors from abroad can legally prolong their stay in the USA. It's possible to apply for an extension of one's visitor's status without leaving the USA. And this book guides well through this procedure.
Secondly, those who are interested in applying for a green card, should find the most suitable category if they want to succeed. The book describes qualifications and outlines the application process for each of them.
Many people don't know that they may be inadmissible for one or another reason even if they otherwise meet all the green card applicant requirements. Someone already in the US, and still may not be allowed to proceed if he or she falls into one of the inadmissible categories - as a violator of immigration rules in the past or for health reasons, for example. Some people find this out only after passing a medical exam. But you may want to learn about the regulations in advance. The book covers this issue in detail, including who and how can apply for a waiver of inadmissibility.
Another sensitive chapter is on cancellation of deportation. How and in what cases this may be done...
Also, you'll find some important information on how and who is eligible to claim status as a refugee or political asylee.
In all, I think the book is pretty informative and filled with practical advice. It's also easy to read and understand.