There many different ways to become a Lawful Permanent Resident (“Green Card” holder) in the United States. A Green Card allows you to live and work permanently in the United States. Most individuals are sponsored by a family member or an employer in the United States. Other individuals may become permanent residents through diversity visa lottery, investment, refugee or asylee status or other humanitarian programs.
- Family Based Petitions
- Relatives of U.S. Citizens
- Spouse
- Unmarried child (under the age of 21)
- Unmarried stepchild (under the age of 21)
- Adopted child (under the age of 18)
- Parent or stepparent
- Unmarried son or daughter (over the age of 21)
- Married son or daughter (any age)
- Brother or Sister
- Relatives of Green Card holders (Lawful Permanent Residents)
- Spouse
- Unmarried child (under the age of 21)
- Unmarried stepchild (under the age of 21)
- Adopted child (under the age of 18)
- Unmarried son or daughter (over the age of 21)
- Relatives of U.S. Citizens
- Employment Based Petitions
- Employment First Preference (EB-1)
- Persons with extraordinary ability
- Outstanding professors and researchers
- Managers and executives in multinational companies
- Employment Second Preference (EB-2)
- Professionals with advanced degrees
- Persons with exceptional ability
- Exceptional professors and researchers
- Employment Second Preference with National Interest Waiver (NIW)
- Persons with exceptional ability involved in activities that will substantially benefit the U.S.
- Employment Third Preference (EB-3)
- Professionals with a U.S. bachelor’s or foreign equivalent degree
- Skilled workers
- Unskilled workers
- Employment Fifth Preference (EB-5)
- Foreign entrepreneurs who invest $500,000 in a commercial enterprise in a targeted employment area that will benefit the U.S. economy and create at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs
- Foreign entrepreneurs who invest $1,000,000 in a commercial enterprise that will benefit the U.S. economy and create at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs
- Immediate family members of EB-5 foreign entrepreneur visa applicants.
- Removal of Conditions on Residence
- Renewal/Replacement of Green Cards
- Re-entry Permits/Refugee Travel Documents