Green Card (Permanent Residence)
What is a Green Card?
A green card gives you official permanent resident status in the United States. It allows you to live and work permanently, travel freely, and apply for citizenship after 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen).
Rights: Live and work anywhere in the U.S., sponsor family members, receive federal benefits
Responsibilities: Pay taxes, obey all laws, maintain residence in the U.S.
Two Application Processes
You can get your green card in two ways:
- Adjustment of Status: Apply while in the U.S. (Form I-485)
- Consular Processing: Apply at a U.S. consulate abroad
The choice depends on your current location, status, and specific circumstances.
Green Card Categories
Family-Based Green Cards
Through qualifying family relationships with U.S. citizens or permanent residents
- •Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (no waiting period)
- •Family preference categories (waiting periods apply)
- •Widow(er)s of U.S. citizens
- •Through adoption or K visa marriage
Employment-Based Green Cards
Through job offers, investment, or extraordinary ability
- •EB-1: Priority workers and extraordinary ability
- •EB-2: Advanced degree professionals and national interest
- •EB-3: Skilled workers and professionals
- •EB-4: Special immigrants (religious, military)
- •EB-5: Investors ($800K-$1.05M investment required)
Humanitarian Green Cards
Protection-based permanent residence for vulnerable populations
- •Asylum-based adjustment after 1 year
- •Refugee adjustment after 1 year in U.S.
- •U visa victims after 3 years of status
- •T visa trafficking victims after 3 years
- •VAWA self-petitioners (abused spouses/children)
Other Categories
Special programs and lottery-based permanent residence
- •Diversity Visa Lottery (DV program)
- •Registry (continuous presence since 1972)
- •Special Immigrant Juveniles
- •Cuban Adjustment Act
- •Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act
Application Process Comparison
Adjustment of Status (I-485)
Apply for green card while in the United States
Advantages:
- ✓Remain in U.S. during processing
- ✓Can apply for work permit (I-765) and travel document (I-131)
- ✓Single USCIS interview
- ✓No consular processing delays
Considerations:
- •Must be in lawful status or qualify for exceptions
- •Limited to certain categories and situations
- •May have longer processing times at some offices
Consular Processing
Apply for immigrant visa at U.S. consulate abroad
Advantages:
- ✓Available to all green card categories
- ✓Generally faster processing
- ✓No U.S. status requirements
- ✓Clear timeline from National Visa Center
Considerations:
- •Must leave U.S. for interview
- •Risk of being stuck abroad if complications arise
- •Potential triggering of unlawful presence bars
- •Additional consular processing fees
General Application Process
Green Card Application Timeline
Determine Eligibility Category
Identify which green card category applies to your situation
Required Documents:
- •Personal immigration history
- •Family relationship documents
- •Employment letters or offers
- •Any prior immigration petitions
File Initial Petition
Submit appropriate petition (I-130 family, I-140 employment, etc.)
Required Documents:
- •Form I-130 (family) or I-140 (employment)
- •Supporting evidence of relationship/job
- •Filing fees
- •Petitioner documentation
Wait for Priority Date
Monitor visa bulletin for current dates (immediate relatives skip this)
Required Documents:
- •Monitor monthly visa bulletin
- •Maintain valid status if in U.S.
- •Update address with USCIS/NVC
File Green Card Application
Submit I-485 (adjustment) or complete consular processing
Required Documents:
- •Form I-485 or DS-260
- •Medical examination report
- •Affidavit of Support (I-864)
- •Supporting civil documents
Complete Interview & Decision
Attend USCIS or consular interview, receive decision
Required Documents:
- •All original documents
- •Updated evidence if requested
- •Passport and photos
- •Interview appointment notice
Common Requirements
Requirements for Most Green Card Applications
- Qualifying petition (I-130, I-140, I-485, etc.)
- Medical examination by USCIS-approved civil surgeon
- Biometric services appointment (fingerprints, photos)
- Criminal background check and security clearances
- Affidavit of Support (I-864) if required
- Supporting documentation specific to category
- Payment of all required fees and costs
- Attend interview if required by USCIS or consulate
Important Considerations
Processing Times
- • Immediate relatives: 8-33 months
- • Family preference: Wait for priority date + processing
- • Employment-based: Varies by category and country
- • Humanitarian: 1+ years after protection status
Maintaining Status
- • Renew green card every 10 years
- • Don't stay outside U.S. for more than 1 year
- • File taxes as resident
- • Notify USCIS of address changes