For many immigrants, obtaining a green card—legal permanent residency—in the United States is a major turning point. Did you know that as of December 2024, the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) reports that there are more than three million immigration applications waiting to be processed by the Immigration Court?
Only 3% of all green card applicants were expected to receive permanent residency and applicants from high-demand countries like India have to endure longer initial waiting periods to receive a green card.
There are various legal options to think of if you are looking at ways to obtain a green card in the USA, apart from marrying a US citizen. These are special programs for certain groups: the Diversity Visa Lottery, refugee or asylum status, family sponsorships (excluding spouses), and employment-based visas.
Let’s look at which approach is most suitable for you.
Table of Contents
Employment-Based Green Cards
Employment green cards are a way for individuals to permanently reside in the United States and work. You must have a job offer from a US company that is willing to sponsor you for this path. If you don’t have a job offer but want to explore this path, it’s better to consult an immigration lawyer.
Immigration lawyer Conrad E. Pollack says a qualified immigration lawyer can review your work experience and educational background to help you choose an employment-based immigration pathway that optimally suits your case.
Depending on your credentials, you might qualify for various categories, including EB-1 for exceptional ability or EB-2 for advanced degrees.
It’s important that you prepare all your records and fulfill the criteria needed so you can file the right application. Since it’s a complex process, you should hire an immigration lawyer to help you.
Family Sponsorship Options
Anyone with a family member in the United States, whether a citizen or a permanent resident, can likely sponsor them for a green card. This allows Americans to support their close relatives: siblings, children, and parents. Permanent residents may also support their unmarried children.
The Alien Relative petition Form I-130 initiates the process of establishing one of these family connections. Approved applicants may next either change status from inside the United States or seek an overseas immigrant visa.
In reality, immediate relatives often wait less than other types of family members. Knowing details about your situation will help to expedite the application procedure.
Refugee and Asylum Seeker Pathways
Refugees and asylum seekers without green card issuance via family sponsorship have access to many channels of entry.
Should you have a well-founded fear of returning owing to threats connected to your race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group, or if you fled the country because of persecution, you also qualify for applying for possible asylum. You are qualified to submit your green card application exactly one year after becoming a political asylee if you have been given asylum in the United States.
If you are a refugee, you can come into the United States and then seek a green card. You must collect all evidence of your claims and apply within certain time limits. If you can, hire an immigration lawyer to avoid wasting time figuring out the process alone.
Diversity Visa Lottery
The Diversity Visa Lottery offers one of the best possible opportunities now available to individuals from countries sending very few immigrants to the United States to seek a green card. Every year, this program gives the U.S. government 50,000 visas for permanent resident applications.
To qualify, certain degrees of education and professional experience must be documented. Your nation of citizenship also has to qualify. At the time of registration, all that is required is filling out a straightforward online application form.
Check the official website’s updates regularly. Should you be chosen, more procedures—including an interview and background checks—will follow to qualify for the green card.
Special Programs and Humanitarian Relief
Many people pursue the green card via conventional routes; yet, special programs and humanitarian relief alternatives provide more possibilities for those with particular challenges.
Being persecuted or in danger could qualify you for asylum or refugee status, both of which could qualify you for a green card. Victims of specific crimes who work with law enforcement are eligible for the U visa.
The T visa, meant to safeguard human trafficking survivors, is another choice. Certain Afghan and Iraqi nationals who worked for the U.S. government in some capacity and are seeking permanent residence have access to programs such as the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV).
Remember, apart from getting married to a US citizen, there are many other ways to live and work in the US. Consult an immigration lawyer who can help assess your eligibility and recommend the best path for you.
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