The advantages of living, working, and raising a family in the United States are many. However, that does not mean it’s easy to immigrate here. If you hire the right lawyer, and if he or she ensures you follow all laws and guidelines, you have a very good chance of getting a green card. The odds are much better if you have family already here, especially immediate family.

This guide will explain: what getting a green card means, how long it takes to get a green card, how long citizenship takes, what laws you need to follow, and how an immigration lawyer can help.

What is a green card?
First, you might wonder what a green card is in the first place. Quite simply, it’s a document allowing you to live and work in the United States. You are considered a permanent resident of the United States, you can live and work here, and you can then apply for citizenship.

In order to get a green card, you need to be sponsored by a family member or employer.

How long will it take to get a green card?
This depends on who is sponsoring you and their current position in the U.S. The time table is shortest if you are sponsored by an immediate family member. For example, if your mother lives in the U.S. and has a green card, she can sponsor you for one as well. Since she is immediate family, the process often only takes a matter of months.

If on the other hand you have no immediate family – immediate family being parents, spouses, brothers and sisters, or children – you have to wait for an Immigrant Visa to open up. The best way to do this is to be sponsored by family, but if you have no family and have to wait for a visa, the process can take years.

How long for citizenship?
After you’ve had your green card for five years, you can apply for citizenship. You can also become a citizen if you’re spouse is a citizen. You must be able to prove a knowledge of U.S. history and law, be able to read and write in English, and be willing to follow the laws and Constitution.

What laws must you follow?
There are some who try to cheat the system. For example, sometimes marriages occur between citizens and immigrants in order for the immigrant to get a green card (and having no relationship). This is illegal and because it’s somewhat common you must be able to show proof.

Also, if you have a green card, you can be deported for breaking U.S. laws. This is quite common in misdemeanor and felony cases where jail time is part of the punishment. Your legal right to live in the U.S. is threatened if you break major criminal laws.

What can an immigration lawyer do?
The immigration process can sometimes be quite confusing, and that’s why hiring an experienced immigration lawyer is smart. He or she can ensure you fill out all documentation correctly, that you are ready for any questions to be asked, that you follow the laws, and that this process takes as little time as possible. Whether your goal is a green card or naturalization, an immigration lawyer is invaluable.

If you’re unsure of what will occur when entering the U.S., this guide can help.

You are asked many questions by a customs officer. These officers are trained to ask many questions, so if your paperwork or answers are suspect, it can take longer to enter. You will need proof you can enter legally, your immigrant visa. These questions are some of the norm you’ll get when entering the U.S. as an immigrant.

Why Are You Visiting?
As each visa is different, you’ll often be asked different questions. For example, with a visitor visa you can only do so much. If you’re visiting illegally, of course you’ll have problems. Even if you just say something which leads the custom officers to think you are visiting for other purposes, perhaps to stay here and gain permanent resident status, you can be turned away. So if you’re asked why you’re visiting, make sure your answer matches what your visa says. If you say something different, it could lead to problems.

How long will you be here?
This question is designed to see if you’re staying within the laws. You may be staying longer than allowed, and the customs officer wants to know this. You need to be clear on the laws involved here. If you are staying too long, you can be turned away. In these cases, if you’re unsure ask a professional immigration lawyer for help.

Who are you staying with?
If you have no real reason to be here – and who you’re staying with – the customs officer may find this suspicious. Therefore, it’s good to have a clear place to stay while you’re here.

Have you visited the U.S. before?
This questions will often lead to another. The customs officer is trying to find out if you have a history of staying longer than allowed. There are some complex laws on how much longer than expected you plan to stay. For example, if you stay 1 year longer than you should, the U.S. government would consider that a major problem and bar you from entering for 10 years. This again means you need an experienced immigration lawyer’s help.

How many times have you been here in past years?
In some cases, those who travel to the U.S. have ulterior motives, and the customs officer is trying to see this. If you’re using your visa as a way to stay in the U.S. for extended periods, it’s considered illegal. You can only visit here, not use it as a residence.

How a Lawyer Can Help
A lawyer can guide you through this process. For example, in the previous question of how many times you’ve been in the U.S., you may need to get a green card. If you have family in the U.S., you can be sponsored for a green card. This saves you a lot of hassle and allows you to stay here legally. It’s always wise to consult with legal representation when it comes to traveling in the U.S., getting a green card, and becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen.