Green Card Options for Certain Employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government

1. Can Panama Canal employees or former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government obtain a Green Card?


Yes, Panama Canal employees or former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government may be eligible to obtain a Green Card through a number of pathways. These include family-based immigration, immigrant investor programs, and programs for individuals with extraordinary ability or advanced degrees. Additionally, certain former Panamanian Canal Zone employees may be eligible for special immigration provisions under the American Competitiveness in the 21st Century Act.

2. What is the fastest way for Panama Canal Company employees or former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government to obtain a Green Card?


The fastest way for Panama Canal Company employees or former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government to obtain a Green Card is by filing an I-360 self-petition under the Panama Canal Employee and Former Employee category. This category allows for a Green Card to be obtained without the need for a sponsoring employer.

3. How can Panama Canal Company employees or former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government apply for a Green Card?


Individuals who are current or former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government may be eligible for a Green Card through the EB-1C immigrant visa category. Under this visa, individuals may qualify for permanent residence if they have been employed in a managerial or executive capacity for at least one year out of the past three by the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government. To apply, individuals must submit Form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker, along with supporting documents to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

4. What documents are required for employees or former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government to apply for a Green Card?


To apply for a Green Card, employees or former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government must submit the following documents:

1. Completed and signed Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant
2. Birth certificate, passport, or other proof of birth in Panama
3. Proof of employment with the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government (pay stubs, letters from an employer, etc.)
4. Two passport-style photographs
5. Evidence that you are not subject to the two-year home residency requirement
6. Evidence of good moral character and lack of certain criminal offenses
7. Fee for the application and accompanying documents
8. Any other documents relevant to the case

5. Do Panama Canal Company employees or former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government need to pass a medical exam to get a Green Card?


No, Panama Canal Company employees or former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government do not need to pass a medical exam in order to get a Green Card. The medical exam requirement applies only to individuals applying for a Green Card based on employment-based immigration petitions.

6. Are there any special requirements for Panama Canal Company employees or former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government to obtain a Green Card?


No, there are no special requirements for Panama Canal Company employees or former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government to obtain a Green Card. All applicants must meet the usual requirements for applying for a Green Card, which may be found on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.

7. Is there an age limit for Panama Canal Company employees or former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government to obtain a Green Card?


No, there is no age limit for Panama Canal Company employees or former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government to obtain a Green Card. However, applicants must meet all other requirements for eligibility, including having a qualifying job offer and meeting all other criteria for employment-based immigration.

8. What is the processing time for Green Card applications from Panama Canal Company employees or former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government?


The processing time for Green Card applications from Panama Canal Company employees or former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government varies based on the specific application and processing times at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Generally, applications are processed within six months to a year.

9. Are there any fees associated with applying for a Green Card for Panama Canal Company employees or former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government?


No, there are no fees associated with applying for a Green Card for Panama Canal Company employees or former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government.

10. Are there any restrictions on what jobs Panama Canal Company employees or former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government can hold while waiting for a Green Card?


No. There are no restrictions on the types of jobs Panama Canal Company employees or former employees of the Panama Canal Company and Canal Zone Government may hold while waiting for green cards.

11. Are there any restrictions on what countries Panama Canal Company employees or former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government can travel to while waiting for a Green Card?


No, there are no restrictions on travel for Panama Canal Company employees or former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government while awaiting a Green Card. However, they should be aware that if they are outside the United States for more than 6 months, their application for a Green Card could be subject to review and possible denial. It is recommended that they speak with an immigration attorney for more information regarding their specific case.

12. Is there an annual limit on how many Green Cards can be granted to Panama Canal Company employees or former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government?


No, there is no annual limit on how many Green Cards can be granted to Panama Canal Company employees or former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government.

13. Does having a criminal record disqualify an employee or former employee of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government from obtaining a Green Card?


No, having a criminal record does not disqualify an employee or former employee of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government from obtaining a Green Card. However, depending on the type of crime and the date of conviction, a criminal record could be grounds for inadmissibility to the United States.

14. Are there any other ways to get a Green Card other than through employment with the Panama Canal Company or government of the canal zone?


Yes, there are several other ways to obtain a Green Card: marriage to a U.S. citizen, family-based immigration, refugee or asylum status, diversity visa lottery, special immigrant visa programs, and more.

15. Do dependents of Panama Canal Company employees or former employees of the Panama Canal Company or canal zone government qualify for a green card as well?


No, dependents of Panama Canal Company employees or former employees of the Panama Canal Company or canal zone government do not qualify for a green card. However, depending on the specific situation, they may qualify for a nonimmigrant visa.

16. Is it possible for an employee of the Panama canal company who does not have permanent residence in the US to obtain a green card through employment with the company?


No, it is not possible for an employee of the Panama Canal Company who does not have permanent residence in the US to obtain a green card through employment with the company. US residence is a requirement for obtaining a green card.

17. Does obtaining a green card through employment with the company provide an individual with US citizenship?


No, obtaining a green card through employment does not provide an individual with US citizenship. A green card is a form of legal permanent residency in the United States and does not confer US citizenship. To receive US citizenship, an individual must go through a separate process, which includes completing a citizenship application, attending an interview, and taking a US civics exam.

18. Does having family members already in the US help individuals employed by the Panama canal company to obtain a green card more quickly?


No, having family members already in the US does not help individuals employed by the Panama Canal Company to obtain a green card more quickly. The process for obtaining a green card is the same regardless of any familial ties in the country.

19. Is it possible to file for a green card extension beyond initial validity period if necessary?


Yes, it is possible to extend your green card beyond its initial validity period if necessary. To do so, you must file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. This form can be found on the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website. The form must be filled out completely and signed, and the appropriate filing fee must be paid before it can be approved.

20. Are there any restrictions on how long an employee of the company can stay in the US after their green card expires?


Yes, the employee must leave the US within 180 days after their green card expires, otherwise they are considered to be unlawfully present in the US. Furthermore, they may not be able to return for up to 10 years if they have been unlawfully present for more than 180 days.