--- title: United States Green Card | My Visa Source description: Are you seeking to secure permanent residence in the US through a Green Card, also known as a Permanent Resident Card? Get your questions answered here! image: https://www.myvisasource.com/hubfs/logo-for-facebook2.png --- [![ClickCease](https://monitor.clickcease.com/stats/stats.aspx)](https://www.clickcease.com) [###### Planning on entering the United States or Canada this year or in 2027? Avoid potential issues by consulting with a licensed immigration professional. 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Green card holders should have the intent to remain in the United States. Do you want to know your eligibility for Permanent Residence (Green Card) for the US? Call us toll-free or take less than a minute to fill our Online Assessment for Your Visa Options. [ Start Your Online Assessment ](https://www.myvisasource.com/free-assessment) Or Call Us: [1-(888)-509-1987](tel:1-888-509-1987) - [Home](https://www.myvisasource.com) - [US Visas](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/) - Permanent Residence (Green Card) Permanent Residence (Green Card): Helping You Immigrate to the US ![house2](https://www.myvisasource.com/hubfs/3d%20Model%20Stills/service%20page%20png/house2.png) [ Start Your Online Assessment ](https://www.myvisasource.com/free-assessment) Or Call Us: [1-(888)-509-1987](tel:1-888-509-1987) United States Permanent Residents, often referred to as green card holders, are authorized to live and work in the U.S. on a permanent basis. Green card holders should have the intent to remain in the United States. Do you want to know your eligibility for Permanent Residence (Green Card) for the US? Call us toll-free or take less than a minute to fill our Online Assessment for Your Visa Options. The United States is a country that offers many permanent job opportunities for different types of professionals, skilled and unskilled workers, people with extraordinary abilities, and investors. According to the United Nations, the United States has the highest number of immigrants of any country in the world. In 2019, studies showed that15.5% of the entire US population was composed of immigrants. If you want to achieve the American dream of living and working in one of the country’s 52 unique states, you may want to consider applying for a Green Card. Every year, the United States approves over a million Green Card applications, from the tens of millions they receive. Getting a Green Card is the first step to gaining full US citizenship. [Begin your US permanent resident application today with our Immigration Lawyers](https://www.myvisasource.com/toronto-office/) and you will be one step closer to living and working in the United States of America. ## **What is a Green Card?**  A Green Card is an identification card (ID). Having a Green Card (officially known as a Permanent Resident Card) allows you to live and work permanently in the United States. It functions as proof that its owner is entitled to full immigrant benefits and that they have permission to permanently live and work within the United States. ## **Who Qualifies or is Eligible for Permanent Residence in the United States?**  The most common methods for securing permanent residence in the US are through family and employment. For applicants applying through family connections, it typically involves a sponsorship or petition from a family member who is already a US citizen or someone who holds a Green Card. The family sponsor can be their husband, wife or child. Parents and siblings can sponsor the applicant as well if the person looking to obtain a Green Card is under the age of 21. Those applying through their employment are often already living in the US on a work visa. In order to be eligible and stand out against other applicants, workers should: - Be highly skilled or respected in their field - Be a professor, researcher or well-educated professional - Hold a position of importance in the company for whom they work - A doctor, willing to work full-time in an underserved clinic designated by the government for a set period of time - Be investing or have invested at least $1 million dollars in a designated business, which will gainfully employ at least 10 full-time qualified employees Business owners and investors who are planning to invest at least $1 million dollars into a new business venture (or $500,000 in rural or areas with high unemployment rates) can also apply for Green Cards, as long as the business is going to employ at least 10 qualified full-time employees that are US citizens. Applicants can also be considered eligible for a Green Card because of other circumstances, such as: - Marriage (to an existing US citizen) - Asylum, Refugee or as an escape from abuse in their home country - Special Immigration Status (Religious works, broadcasters or special circumstance juveniles) - Being a victim of human trafficking or crimes - Having resided continuously in the US since before January 1st, 1972 - Diversity Lottery (chosen from one of six geographic regions that have had limited immigration to the US in the past) ## **Click On the Area that Interests You**  - [US Work Visas](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/permanent-residence-green-card/#us-work-visas) - [Family Sponsorship Visas](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/permanent-residence-green-card/#family-sponsorship-visas) - [F Visa Category - Family Preference Sponsor Visas](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/permanent-residence-green-card/#f-visa-category-family-preference-sponsor-visas) - [What are the Requirements to Obtain a Green Card?](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/permanent-residence-green-card/#what-are-the-requirements-to-obtain-a-green-card) - [What is the Processing Time for a Green Card?](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/permanent-residence-green-card/#what-is-the-processing-time-for-a-green-card) - [Top 10 Reasons for Refusal of the Green Card Application](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/permanent-residence-green-card/#top-10-reasons-for-refusal-of-the-green-card) ## **US Work Visas** These [US employment-based visas](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/us-work-visas/) are for individuals or families/family members, businesses/business owners or investors who are seeking permanent residence in the US and want the opportunity to work and contribute to the US economy. If you are considering moving to the United States for work and would like to know your visa options, keep reading to see which work visa applies to you and your situation. ### **[EB-1 Work Visa](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/us-work-visas/eb-1/) for Immigrants with Extraordinary Ability**  The EB-1, a permanent work visa is for you if you have an extraordinary ability, are an outstanding professor or researcher, or are a multinational executive or manager. [For more details.](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/us-work-visas/eb-1/)  ### **[EB-2 Work Visa](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/us-work-visas/eb-2/) for Individuals with an Advanced Degree or Exceptional Ability** Have you achieved an advanced degree or is an individual who has exceptional ability and have been offered a permanent employment position in the United States? If so, consider applying for the EB-2 permanent work visa. [For more details.](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/us-work-visas/eb-2/)  ### **[EB-3 Work Visa](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/us-work-visas/eb-3/) - Skilled, Professional, and Unskilled Worker Green Card**  To qualify for the EB-3 worker visa, you must meet the eligibility criteria for a skilled worker, a professional, or an unskilled worker. The United States offers many such employment positions for individuals who are non-citizens of the US and who want to move to the US on a permanent basis. [For more details.](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/us-work-visas/eb-3/)  ### [EB-4 - Green Card for Special Immigrants ](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/us-work-visas/eb-4/) If the United States Citizenship Immigration Service (USCIS) qualifies you as a special immigrant, you may be eligible for the EB-4 special immigrant worker visa. [For more details.](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/us-work-visas/eb-4/)  ### [**EB-5 - Immigrant Investor Visa** ](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/us-work-visas/eb-4/) This work visa was created to stimulate the US economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors. If you have a significant amount of money and wish to invest in a US company, you may qualify for the EB-5 investor visa. [For more details.](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/investors-visas/eb-5/) [*Back to the Table of Contents.*](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/permanent-residence-green-card/#table-of-contents) ## [**Family Sponsorship Visas**](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/family-sponsorship/) Living apart from your loved ones may be difficult and emotionally painful. If you are a US citizen and want to be reunited with a family member or members, you may be eligible to apply for one of the family sponsorship visas for permanent residence. There are two groups of family sponsorship visas that US citizens who have family living outside of the country can apply for, provided the family member or members meet eligibility requirements. These two groups are the Immediate Relative visas and the Family Preference visas.   ### **IR Visa Category - Family-Based Immigration or Sponsorship**  Do you want to immigrate to the US in order to live with a member or members of your family? The five visas within the Immediate Relative category allow a US citizen to sponsor an immediate relative to live permanently in the United States - IR-1, IR-2, IR-3, IR-4, IR-5. ### **IR-1 Visa - Spousal Visa**  In order to legally bring your foreign husband or wife to the United States to live with you, consider applying for the IR-1 spousal visa. Simply living together and not being married does not qualify you to apply for the IR-1. A spouse is a legally wedded husband or wife. [For more details.](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/family-sponsorship/)  ### **IR-2 Visa - Unmarried Child Under 21 Years of Age of a US Citizen**  Are you looking to bring your child who is under the age of 21 to the United States in order to live with you? The IR-2 visa is an immediate relative visa for unmarried children who are under the age of 21 and are the child or children of a US citizen. If you want your child or children to live with you in the US, the IR-2 visa may be for you. [For more details.](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/family-sponsorship/)  ### **IR-3 Visa - Orphan Adopted Abroad by a US Citizen**  If you want to adopt a child from a foreign country and bring that child to the US to live with you, you may qualify for the IR-3 visa for the foreign child. You must be a US citizen and initiate adoption procedures outside of the US. [For more details.](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/family-sponsorship/)  ### **IR-4 Visa - Orphan to be Adopted in the US by a US Citizen**  The IR-4 visa allows individuals and parents to bring an orphaned child to the US to live with them provided they begin the adoption process in the foreign country where the child lives. [For more details.](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/family-sponsorship/)  ### **IR-5 Visa - Parent of a US Citizen Who is at Least 21 Years Old**  The IR-5 visa is for a US citizen 21 years of age or older who wants to bring their parents to live in the US. The parent who obtains the IR-5 may live and work permanently in the US. [For more details.](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/family-sponsorship/) [*Back to the Table of Contents.*](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/permanent-residence-green-card/#table-of-contents)  ## **F Visa Category - Family Preference Sponsor Visa** This visa category is for individuals who are either US citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) to sponsor family members to move permanently to the US. The four visas in this category are for more distant, family relationships and there are fiscal year numerical limitations on family preference immigrants. ### **F-1 - Family First Preference**  This visa is for unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens, and their minor children. [For more details.](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/family-sponsorship/)  ### **F-2 - ** **Family Second Preference** Spouses, minor children, and unmarried sons and daughters aged 21 and over may qualify for the F-2 permanent resident visa. [For more details.](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/family-sponsorship/)  ### **F-3 - Family Third Preference**  If you are a married son or daughter of a US citizen and you and your spouse and minor children want to move permanently to the US your family may be able to sponsor you. [For more details.](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/family-sponsorship/)  ### **F-4 - Family Fourth Preference**  The fourth preference F-4 visa applies to brothers and sisters of US citizens, and their spouses and minor children who wish to be sponsored by their family member who is a US citizen, provided the US citizen is at least 21 years of age. [For more details.](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/family-sponsorship/) [*Back to the Table of Contents.*](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/permanent-residence-green-card/#table-of-contents)  ## **What are the Requirements to Obtain a Green Card?**  The applicant must meet one of the eligibility requirements for obtaining a Green Card, or be sponsored by a family member. Due to the volume of applications, the process is considered very strict. This requires great attention to detail when filling out the applicable paperwork, because a single small error could result in a denial. Since this is so crucial to the Green Card application process, it is strongly recommended that you contact an immigration lawyer, like the experts at My Visa Source, to ensure that all the information is submitted accurately and in the correct order. This will greatly improve your chances of being selected to become a permanent resident of the US. *[Back to the Table of Contents.](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/permanent-residence-green-card/#table-of-contents)* ## **What is the Processing Time for a Green Card?** Processing times for Green Cards vary depending on several factors: - The office or service center responsible for processing the file - The type of non-immigrant visa - Green Card interview wait times (if applicable) - Whether the applicant can qualify for an expedited interview appointment - Whether *Expedited* *processing* is available - Whether *Premium* *Processing* is available - Providing insufficient or incomplete documents can lead to delays in processing and even denials [*Back to the Table of Contents.*](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/permanent-residence-green-card/#table-of-contents) ## **Top 10 Reasons for Refusal of the Green Card Application**  While there are many reasons why your Green Card application could be refused, we have listed the ten most common here: 1. Current and/or past immigration status and history in the US or abroad, including overstaying and unauthorized employment 2. Insufficient funds to support themselves during their stay 3. Incorrect or incomplete petition 4. Insufficient supporting evidence 5. Conflicts with travel documentation 6. Health concerns 7. Suspicion of malicious intent 8. Problems with a background check 9. Criminal history/Being convicted of a crime/Suspected or known ties to terrorism 10. Material Misrepresentation [*Back to the Table of Contents.*](https://www.myvisasource.com/usa-immigration/permanent-residence-green-card/#table-of-contents) ![](https://www.myvisasource.com/hubfs/MVS%20Logo.svg) Get A Free Assessment Receive answers to all your immigrations questions along with available options, all in one place. 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Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Please select a country Country Of Residence: Afghanistan Aland Islands Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo Cook Islands Costa Rica Cote D'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Curacao Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and Mcdonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Macedonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Reunion Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Barthelemy Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States United States Minor Outlying Islands Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.s. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Please select an country Country Interested In: Canada United States Please select an option Immigration Matter: Express Entry Permanent Residency Permanent Residency (Green Card) Family Sponsorship Work Visa Visitor Visa Study Visa Business/Investor Visa Citizensip Visa Business Plans I've Overstayed My Visa I've Been Denied Entry or Deported Other Not Sure Please select an option Submit Or Call Us: [1-(888)-509-1987](tel:1-888-509-1987) ![](https://www.myvisasource.com/hubfs/3d%20Model%20Stills/tile%20png/cta3_image.png) ## Green Cards » Other FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) ### How long does a Green Card last? Green Cards grant permanent residence to anyone who has been approved through the application process, however, they need to be renewed every 10 years before their expiration date. Any permanent residents who are going to be out of the country for more than six months, should apply for a Travel Document (Form I-131) to avoid any issues in returning to the US. If a Green Card holder is going to be out of the country for more than 2 years or during a period of time when your Green Card will expire, should apply for a special immigrant visa (SB-1) at a foreign consulate or US embassy location to protect their residency status. --- ### Can a Green Card Lead to Getting US Citizenship? Yes, after either 3 or 5 years, Green Card holders become eligible to apply for full US citizenship. The time necessary to become eligible for the transition from Green Card to US citizenship will depend on the factors that are determined during the Green Card application. --- ## **Why Start with My Visa Source with a Free Online Assessment?** Congratulations on taking your first step towards obtaining your Permanent Residence in the United States (Green Card)! **My Visa Source's** immigration lawyers dedicate themselves to your immigration case, providing legal representation tailored to your personal situation. Our expertise focuses on immigration and visa programs for Canada and the United States, including global immigration. Partnering with an award-winning immigration team greatly increases the likelihood of achieving your specific immigration or visa goals. Immigration is a complex process that requires strong legal strategy, precise paperwork, and perfect attention to detail and experience dealing with immigration officials and government departments, reducing the risk of wasted time, money or permanent rejection. ## **Begin Your Green Card Application Today!** Securing personalized legal help is quick and simple. Begin with our one-minute [online assessment](https://www.myvisasource.com/free-assessment) or **call us toll-free at 1-888-509-1987**. We have a dedicated team of licensed professionals standing by, ready to answer your immigration and visa questions. We’ve been helping people from over 120 countries for over a decade and can help you too. Book a personal consultation to speak with an award-winning immigration lawyer either in-person, over the telephone, or through a video conference. We're open 6am-9pm PST & EST, 7 days a week, and are ready for in-person, phone, and video consultations. Try our free assessment to find the immigration help you need Try our free assessment [ Get Started ](https://www.myvisasource.com/free-assessment) ✕ ## See What Our Clients Are Experiencing **My Visa Source** made the process of my partner’s PR a breeze. We did run into an issue in the beginning as my partner initially started his PR progress with the intent of going through his work to get his PR. There were some difficulties that ended up leading us into doing his **PR through common-law sponsorship**, which ended up being a blessing in disguise as we were appointed a new Lawyer & team. Harley Jensen was very much on top of everything from quick replies to our emails and if we ran into any difficulties she would always set up a phone call to ease us through the process. There was another lovely lawyer by the name Natasha who was also helping us through some difficulties. Overall My Visa Source made us feel confident and at ease during this very stressful process. We would like to thank the team for all their hard work. I would definitely recommend them. ![](https://www.myvisasource.com/hubfs/5-Green-Star-Review.png) 5 out of 5 » Rating by: Emily N. Sharing my experience with **MVS**. This firm has truly reliable and dependable professionals, no wonder it has won so many awards and accolades. After my initial spouse work permit rejection, I approached MVS and I was assured they’d handle my case sensitively. Bara was very calm and informative, he initiated my process. My wife’s permit case was assigned to Sharon and Marc. ‘Sharon’ is very knowledgeable and precise, she was always reachable and was prompt on her responses during the process. Her follow ups on every step was phenomenal. Such a gem! I blindly recommend her. Marc on the other hand was the heart of the process, shout out to him as well.. All my stress was washed out as every actions performed by them was promising. I was optimistic and finally **received the permits, now I can reunite with my family in coming days.** Couldn’t praise enough. Wish you best to unite and bring happiness to more families like ours. I wish to personally meet you all one day to thank for what you’ve done. You’ve changed my life. ![](https://www.myvisasource.com/hubfs/5-Green-Star-Review.png) 5 out of 5 » Rating by: Vinayak B. I've had a very bad experience with an immigration lawyer at another firm in the past, and I was very scare to experience that again. I found **My Visa Source** online and decided to give them a try because of their great reviews, and I don't regret it for a second!. Amazing experience, they really treated me like a human being and were very upfront and organized with all information. Angel Pavlou is really an angel, very sweet and helpful, she help us a lot on our first stage of the process with the firm. She is an amazing human being! Because we were **applying through common-in-law sponsorship**, my team was Harley and Natasha, an amazing team! We worked for about 4-5 month on the file to make sure everything needed was there. And even though they usually respond within 2-3 business days, by the last portion before submission, our emails were responded by the minute, which we really appreciate as it helped to speed up the process significantly. Even though our contract with the firm ended with the submission of our application, they left the door open for further questions we may have about what's coming next with our application, which is a big support for us, and we really appreciate (as now we have a long road ahead before a final answer from IRCC comes). Thanks Team! :) ![](https://www.myvisasource.com/hubfs/5-Green-Star-Review.png) 5 out of 5 » Rating by: Kate T. At first I was a bit wary because we had some challenges with **our spousal sponsorship case** and all correspondence was done over the phone or email, but now that my husband has been approved, I can say with confidence I would hire **My Visa ****Source** again for any immigration needs. My husband was not even asked for an interview in the end. This firm works many different nationalities and passport holders and there experience is vast. ![](https://www.myvisasource.com/hubfs/5-Green-Star-Review.png) 5 out of 5 » Rating by: Julia C. After previously going to another immigration service it became glaringly obvious how great this service was. Angel was able to answer all my questions and share with me some options that I had not been told of by the other lawyer. I highly recommend this service. ![](https://www.myvisasource.com/hubfs/5-Green-Star-Review.png) 5 out of 5 » Rating by: David Andrews B. I absolutely love this firm. Very detailed and best help you can get. They do free consultation too which is great. Angel is amazing. Trevor is great. Best team at **My Visa Source**. I was happy with how my application was handled. ![](https://www.myvisasource.com/hubfs/5-Green-Star-Review.png) 5 out of 5 » Rating by: Josh A. This was a free consult call. I received the call exactly at the time arranged. Irfhan was very helpful, honest and informative. Unfortunately there weren’t many options for my case and he made no false promises. His integrity was impeccable and even though there wasn’t much that could be done he did offer some great suggestions and advice. ![](https://www.myvisasource.com/hubfs/5-Green-Star-Review.png) 5 out of 5 » Rating by: Robin S. **My Visa Source Law MDP** is an excellent immigration law firm. They were very supportive and professional. They answered our many questions with timely and useful feedback. ![](https://www.myvisasource.com/hubfs/5-Green-Star-Review.png) 5 out of 5 » Rating by: W M. Mr. Shubhrash has been consultant for my immigration procedure and he has been outstanding. made us feel welcome and answered all our questions. He is very knowledgeable and friendly. ![](https://www.myvisasource.com/hubfs/5-Green-Star-Review.png) 5 out of 5 » Rating by: Dishani G. I am pleased with the service provided by **My Visa Source**, and recommend My Visa Source for people who are confused about their immigration process and are looking for a helping hand. ![](https://www.myvisasource.com/hubfs/5-Green-Star-Review.png) 5 out of 5 » Rating by: Zina B. ... 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