Green Card Process

A United States Permanent Resident Card, most commonly called a "green card," allows a non-U.S. citizen to legally live in the United States for an indefinite period of time.

A US green card allows immigrants to live and work in the United States for the rest of his or her life, either through a family-based or employment-based sponsorship. For many people, obtaining a green card is the first step in the road to U.S. citizenship.

Rights After getting A Permanent Resident Card

Individuals with an American permanent residence have full right to live within the territory, as well as work and study.
Permanent residency holder will be able to apply for the citizenship once all the necessary requirements are met.
Permanent residency holder family will be able to apply for an American permanent residence visa in the United States.
Permanent residency holder can buy a property within the territory.
Having Social Security benefits and Medicare is possible if Permanent residency holder meet the requirements.
Permanent residency holder can travel to any country in the world and re-enter the U.S. territory without any problem.

Possible ways to get a Green Card

There are several ways to become a lawful permanent resident, such as:

Green Card Through Family (family-based)
Green Card Based On Employment (employment-based)
Green Card Through the Diversity Visa Lottery
Green Card through Asylum & Refugee status
Certain category of special persons, like investors, religious workers, etc.

A) Green Card Through Family (family-based)

If you have any family member who is U.S. citizen or a green card holder you can petition for a green card. This is also one of the easiest ways to obtain legal permanent residency.

Sponsorship by Immediate Relative

Spouses of U.S. citizens
unmarried children under the age 21 of at least one U.S. citizen parent
parents of U.S. citizen children who are 21 years and older
biological children
Orphan adopted abroad Or adopted in the U.S. by a U.S. citizen

Sponsorship by Family Preference

If the family member sponsoring you is not an immediate relative, you may still get your green card but there will likely be a longer waiting period.  Because only a certain number of these green cards can be issued (on a first come, first served basis) each year to persons who are not immediate relatives of U.S. citizens

First preference: Petitions filed by U.S. citizen parents for their unmarried children 21 years or older.
Second preference: Petitions for spouses, minor children, and unmarried sons and daughters (age 21 and over) of Legal Permanent Residents.
Third preference: Petitions for married sons and daughters of U.S. citizen, and their spouses and minor children.
Fourth preference: Petitions for brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens, and their spouses and minor children, provided the U.S. citizens are at least 21 years of age.

Green Card Based On Employment (employment-based)

There are a limited number of green cards that can be issued to foreign nationals who are sponsored for residency through employment. U.S. employer must prove there are no qualified, willing American workers for the particular position being sponsored and agree to pay the required wage to the foreign national upon issuance of the green card.  Since only a limited number of these green cards are given, applicants may have to wait years to apply for a green card.   The waiting period depends on the applied preference category.  Below are the different preference categories:

First preference - EB-1 (Priority Workers): Applicants of extraordinary ability in arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics; outstanding professors and researchers; and multinational companies executive or managers
Second preference - EB-2 (Advanced Degree Holders): Professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability in the sciences, arts or business
Third preference - EB-3: Skilled and professional workers
Fourth preference - EB-4: Religious workers and miscellaneous categories of special immigrants
Fifth preference - EB-5: Employment creation visas for investors who invest in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA)) into a U.S. business that creates or, in some cases, sustains at least 10 full-time jobs. For more information, please visit USCIS website at https://www.uscis.gov/eb-5

The Process of getting an Employer Sponsored Green Card

The information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Before making any decision, consult with the appropriate professionals. Please refer our Disclaimer for details.

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A United States Permanent Resident Card, most commonly called a green card, allows a non-U.S. citizen to legally live in the United States for an indefinite period of time.

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