There are numerous ways to obtain a Green Card (permanent residency) in the United States, and these pathways are typically grouped into several broad categories. Here are the main categories, along with their subcategories, explaining how you can get a U.S. Green Card:
1. Family-Based Green Cards
- Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens: Spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens.
- Family Preference System: Other family members of U.S. citizens or Green Card holders (e.g., siblings, unmarried/adult children).
2. Employment-Based Green Cards
- EB-1 (Priority Workers):
- Individuals with extraordinary abilities in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
- Outstanding professors or researchers.
- Multinational executives or managers.
- EB-2 (Professionals with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability):
- Workers with advanced degrees or exceptional ability.
- National Interest Waiver (NIW) for those whose work benefits the U.S.
- EB-3 (Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers):
- Skilled workers (requiring at least two years of experience).
- Professionals (with a bachelor’s degree).
- Unskilled workers (jobs that require less than two years of training).
- EB-4 (Special Immigrants):
- Religious workers.
- U.S. government employees abroad.
- Certain other groups (e.g., special immigrant juveniles, Afghan/Iraqi translators).
- EB-5 (Investor Visa):
- Individuals investing $800,000–$1,050,000 in a U.S. business that creates at least 10 full-time jobs.
3. Diversity Visa (Green Card Lottery)
- An annual lottery for nationals of countries with low immigration rates to the U.S. Applicants must meet education or work experience requirements. Approximately 50,000 diversity visas are granted each year.
4. Green Card Through Refugee or Asylum Status
- Refugee Status: Granted to individuals who are outside their home country and fear persecution.
- Asylum Status: Granted to individuals already in the U.S. who fear returning to their home country.
- Adjustment of Status: Refugees or asylees can apply for a Green Card after one year of being granted refugee/asylee status.
5. Green Card for Humanitarian Programs
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS): Nationals of certain countries experiencing extraordinary conditions (war, natural disaster) may apply for a Green Card under specific circumstances.
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): Certain individuals brought to the U.S. as children may be eligible for a Green Card through other avenues, though DACA itself does not grant a Green Card.
- Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): Individuals who are victims of abuse by a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder spouse, parent, or child can self-petition for a Green Card.
- U Visa (Victims of Crime): Nonimmigrant status for victims of certain crimes, which may lead to a Green Card.
- T Visa (Victims of Human Trafficking): Nonimmigrant status for victims of human trafficking, which can also lead to a Green Card.
6. Green Card Through Special Programs
- Cuban Adjustment Act: Allows Cubans and their immediate relatives who have been in the U.S. for at least one year to apply for a Green Card.
- Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF): Allows certain Liberian nationals who have lived in the U.S. since November 20, 2014, to apply for permanent residency.
- Special Agricultural Workers (SAW): Allows certain agricultural workers to obtain a Green Card.
7. Other Categories
- Registry: Individuals who have been in the U.S. since before January 1, 1972, may apply for a Green Card under this provision.
- Long-Time Resident: Certain long-term residents (under specific conditions) may be eligible for a Green Card.
Total Number of Ways to Obtain a Green Card
In summary, there are over 10 major categories, and each category can have multiple subcategories or routes. Therefore, the total number of distinct ways to apply for a Green Card is substantial, but the primary routes generally fall under these seven categories mentioned above. Each route has specific requirements and processes, and some are quicker or more straightforward than others.
Do any of these categories seem like the most relevant for your situation?
