The green card states the permanent residence of a person in the United States.
In order to be eligible to apply for a green card there are various applications and procedures that need to be done with legal help.
Different Ways to Be Eligible
- Through their qualified family member
- A job offer or employment
- Other special categories based on a preference system.
If your family member is an immediate relative and is a U.S. citizen, then, you are given the highest immigration priority. Congress sets a finite number of visas that can be used each year for each category of immigrants.
If you or someone you know needs help with obtaining a U.S. green card, contact an immigration attorney in your area today!
Eligibility through Family
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens do not have to wait for a visa to become available because there is no number set as a limit for the amount of visas that can be used in this category per year. However, immediate relatives only include the following small group of family members:
- Parents of a U.S. citizen
- Spouses of a U.S. citizen
- Unmarried children under the age of 21 of a U.S. citizen
There are also other immediate relatives that can be a part of eligibility through family. But then you may have to wait for a visa to become available before applying for permanent residency. These include:
- Unmarried adults, 21 years of age or older, that are sons and daughters of U.S. citizens (First Priority)
- Spouses of permanent residents and the unmarried children, under the age of 21, of permanent residents Unmarried sons and daughters, 21 years or age or older, of permanent residents (Second Priority)
- Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, their spouses and minor children (Third Priority)
- Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens, their spouses and minor children (Fourth Priority)
Eligibility based on Job or Employment
Those who want to become immigrants based on employment or a job offer may apply for permanent residence or an immigrant visa abroad. The immigrant visa number becomes available according to the employment based preferences. Those who fall under First Preference include:
- Priority Workers, outstanding professors and researchers, and multinational executives and managers
- Second Preference: Members of professions holding an advanced degree or persons of exceptional ability
- Third Preference: Skilled Workers, professionals and other qualified workers
- Fourth Preference: Certain special immigrants including those in religious vocations
- Fifth Preference: Employment creation immigrants such as investors or entrepreneurs
Other ways you may be eligible:
- If you are in the United States as a refugee or the qualifying spouse or child of a refugee, you are required to apply for permanent residence one year after your admittance and entry into the United States under that status.
- If you were granted asylum in the United States or are a qualifying spouse or child of an asylee, you may apply for permanent residence one year after the grant of your asylum status.
- If you are a refugee, you are required by law to apply for a green card one year after being admitted to the United States in refugee status.
- If you are an asylee or asylee derivative spouse or child, you are not required to apply for a green card one year after being granted asylum or one year after being admitted to the United States in asylum status.
Get Legal Help
There are a number of special immigrant programs that are limited to individuals meeting particular qualifications and/or applying during certain time frames. To learn if you may be eligible for one of these special categories seek the assistance of a lawyer. Contact an immigration lawyer today to help you apply for permanent residence.