Green Card (Permanent Residence)
Who is a Permanent Resident?A permanent
resident is someone who has been granted authorization to live and work
in the United States on a permanent basis. As proof of that status, a
person is granted a permanent resident card, commonly called a "green
card." You can become a permanent resident several different ways. Most
individuals are sponsored by a family member or employer in the United
States. Other individuals may become permanent residents through refugee
or asylee status or other humanitarian programs. In some cases, you may
be eligible to file for yourself.
The steps to become a permanent
resident are different for each category and will depend on if you are
currently living inside or outside the United States. The main
categories are listed below. More information is available in the links
to the left.
- Green Card Through Family
How to apply for permanent residence when a family member petitions for you, including marriage information - Green Card Through a Job
How to apply for permanent residence based on a job offer or employment - Green Card Through Refugee or Asylee Status
How to apply for permanent residence when you have been granted refugee or asylee status - Other Ways to Get a Green Card
Learn about the many other ways that you may qualify for permanent residence
If
you are unsure which immigration path best fits your particular
situation, see the "Green Card Processes & Procedures" link to the
left which includes:
- Green Card Eligibility
Learn who can apply for permanent residence - Adjustment of Status
Learn about the multi-step process for individuals inside the United States that want to get a green card - Consular Processing
Learn about the multi-step process for individuals outside the United States that want to get a green card
Green Card Through Family
Many people get green cards (become permanent residents) through family members. You may be eligible to get a green card as:
Many people
become permanent residents through a job or offer of employment. Some
categories require a certification from the U.S. Department of Labor to
show that there are not enough U.S. workers who are able, willing,
qualified, and available in the geographic area where the immigrant is
to be employed and that no American workers are displaced by foreign
workers. In other cases, highly skilled workers, those with
extraordinary ability in certain professions, and
investors/entrepreneurs are given priority to immigrate through several
immigrant categories. In all cases, the process involves several steps.
The
main ways to immigrate based on a job offer or employment are listed
below. For more information on the categories below, see the links to
the left under “Green Card Through a Job.”
Green Card Through a Job Offer
You may be eligible to become a permanent resident based on an offer of
permanent employment in the United States. Most categories require an
employer to get a labor certification and then file a Form I-140,
Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, for you.
Green Card Through Investment
Green cards may be available to investors/entrepreneurs who are making
an investment in an enterprise that creates new U.S. jobs.
Green Card Through Self Petition
Some immigrant categories allow you to file for yourself
(“self-petition”). This option is available for either “Aliens of
Extraordinary Ability” or certain individuals granted a National
Interest Waiver.
Green Card Through Special Categories of Jobs
There are a number of specialized jobs that may allow you to get a
green card based on a past or current job. All of these require a Form
I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, and are
described in Section 101(a)(27) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
(INA) (see the “INA” link to the right):
- Afghan/Iraqi Translator
- Broadcaster
- International Organization Employee
- Iraqi Who Assisted the U.S. Government
- NATO-6 Nonimmigrant
- Panama Canal Employee
- Physician National Interest Waiver
- Religious Worker
In
some cases, you may be able to file the immigrant petition (either a
Form I-140 or I-360, depending on your category) at the same time that
you file Form I-485, known as “concurrent filing.” For more information,
see the “Concurrent Filing” link to left under “Green Card Processes
& Procedures.”
If you are not eligible to adjust your status
inside the United States to a permanent resident, the immigrant petition
will be sent to the U.S. consulate abroad to complete the visa process.
In order to apply for a green card, there must be a visa immediately
available to you. See the “Visa Availability & Priority Dates” link
to left under “Green Card Processes & Procedures”.
For
information on coming to the United States for temporary or permanent
employment, see the “Working in the U.S.” link to the right.
Other Ways to Get a Green Card
Although
most immigrants come to live permanently in the United States through a
family member’s sponsorship, employment, or a job offer, there are many
other ways to get a green card (permanent residence).
These
special adjustment programs are limited to individuals meeting
particular qualifications and/or applying during certain time frames.
For information about the categories below, see links to the left under “Other Ways to Get a Green Card.”
Amerasian Child of a U.S. Citizen
American Indian Born in Canada
Armed Forces Member
Cuban Native or Citizen
Diversity Immigrant Visa Program
Haitian Refugee
Help HAITI Act of 2010
Indochinese Parole Adjustment Act
Informant (S Nonimmigrant)
Lautenberg Parolee
Legal Immigration Family Equity (LIFE) Act
Person Born to Foreign Diplomat in United States
Registry
Section 13 (Diplomat)
Special Immigrant Juvenile
Victim of Criminal Activity (U Nonimmigrant)
Victim of Trafficking (T Nonimmigrant)
For
information about the special categories below, see under the “Family,”
Working in the U.S.” and “Humanitarian” links to the right.
Green Cards Through Special Categories of Jobs
Includes:- Afghan/Iraqi Translator
- Broadcaster
- International Organization Employee
- Iraqi Who Assisted the U.S. Government
- NATO-6 Nonimmigrant
- Panama Canal Employee
- Physician National Interest Waiver
- Religious Worker
Green Cards Through Special Categories of Family
Includes:
After a Green Card is Granted
See the following links on this page to find information on the following:
A green
card is issued to all permanent residents as proof that they are
authorized to live and work in the United States. If you are a permanent
resident age 18 or older, you are required to have a valid green card
in your possession at all times. Current green cards are valid for 10
years, or 2 years in the case of a conditional resident, and must be
renewed before the card expires.
A green card can be used to prove
employment eligibility in the United States when completing the Form
I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. It can also be used to apply
for a Social Security Card and a state issued driver’s license. A green
card is valid for readmission to the United States after a trip abroad
if you do not leave for longer than 1 year. If your trip will last
longer than 1 year, a reentry permit is needed.
You have certain
rights and responsibilities as a permanent resident. This section will
give you a general idea of what these are and provide you with some
other useful information related to your immigration status.
You
may also wish to read Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New
Immigrants, a guide (in English and 10 other languages) containing
practical information to help immigrants settle into everyday life in
the United States, as well as basic civics information that introduces
new immigrants to the U.S. system of government (see the links to the
right).