
Residency
A person can obtain conditional permanent resident status through marriage, or through being an entrepreneur or investor. A conditional permanent resident receives a green card that is valid for two years. After that time, the resident must file a petition during the 90 days before the card expires seeking to remain a permanent resident. The conditional card cannot be renewed, so after two years someone with a conditional permanent status must either have the conditions removed or lose their status as a permanent resident. Once a green card is received giving an immigrant permanent resident status, that status will be maintained except for the following two scenarios:
- Application and completion of the naturalization process to become a U.S. citizen
- Permanent resident status is lost or abandoned