A green card, officially known as a permanent resident card, represents an immigration status that allows an individual to permanently live and work in the United States. It’s also a precursor to U.S. citizenship through naturalization. The United States of America is a popular destination for the world’s immigrants. U.S. immigration law provides a variety of ways to migrate. This article covers how to get a green card through some of the most common paths.
Table of ContentsAlthough there are more than just five ways to obtain permanent residence in the United States, we’ve provided an overview of the most common ways to get a green card. These are broad paths. Each has its own admission categories with unique requirements.
Immigration through family remains the most prominent path for how to get a green card. Of course, having a close relative who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident is a prerequisite for this path to permanent resident status.
Only specific types of relationships are eligible for family-based immigration. They are:
There’s also a path for fiancés of U.S. citizens to enter the United States for the purpose of marriage and adjustment of status to permanent resident. Family-based immigration can be one of the fastest ways to get a green card. In addition to documenting the qualifying relationship, there are several requirements to establish eligibility.
CitizenPath can help your family member get a green card. The online immigration service confirms your eligibility, makes it easy to prepare the applications, and we even guarantee approval. You’ll get a checklist of supporting documents for your specific situation and the confidence that you’re doing everything correctly.
Discover the simplified process of family-based immigration in the United States. Learn how relatives can secure a green card easily.…
There are a variety of nonimmigrant and immigrant visa categories related to employment. Nonimmigrant work visas are temporary. They do not provide an eligibility path to green card status. However, they may be a great stepping stone to other opportunities that offer permanent status. Immigrant visas offer a permanent immigrant status in the United States in the form of a green card.
There are five major categories of employment-based immigrant visas:
Generally, you’ll need a U.S. employer to petition you for permanent residence. That organization sponsors you through the process and generally pays the fees. However, for individuals with extraordinary abilities or significant financial investments, there are some opportunities to self-sponsor.
The United States has long been a destination for economic opportunity. Immigrants have a significant history in American business as…Continue…
Refugees and asylees seek to immigrate because they have suffered persecution or fear that they will suffer persecution in their countries of origin. The distinction between refugee and asylee is largely based on the place where they apply. Foreign nationals who are outside of the United States apply for refugee status. On the other hand, people who have already made it to the United States border or the interior (by lawful or unlawful entry) can apply for asylum status.
A refugee or asylum claimant must demonstrate persecution based on one of the five protected grounds:
Examples of situations that may qualify as persecution include: imprisoned and tortured political dissidents or supposed undesirables; fired on protesters; committed genocide against a certain race; or made sure that members of a certain religion were left out of the political process. These situations will generally qualify for status as an asylee or refugee if the applicant can prove past persecution or likely future persecution. Seeking a better economic opportunity is not grounds for an asylum/refugee claim.
Individuals with a grant of refugee or asylum status may generally live and work in the United States. After a year of residence, they can typically apply for a green card if they continue to meet the definition of an asylee or refugee. Individuals who already have an asylum or refugee grant and want to make sure they’re doing everything correctly can use CitizenPath’s Adjustment of Status Package to apply for a green card.
