Visa Trouble guide
Temporary visas and green card paths are different journeys
People often compare a temporary visa with a green card route as if one must replace the other. In practice, they answer different questions and may have very different sponsors, evidence and timelines.
Temporary routes
A temporary route normally connects permission to a defined activity, relationship, employer, business, course or purpose. The exact restrictions depend on the route.
Permanent routes
A green card path is a route to permanent residence. Family, employment, achievement, investment and special provisions each have distinct starting points and processes.
Keep both on the table
If starting sooner matters, it can be useful to understand a plausible temporary route while separately checking whether a permanent route deserves preparation. The two assessments should stay explicit rather than being blended together.
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