This archive report was first published on 31 August 2019.
US Green Card Options for Permanent Residency ¶
Each year, millions of people seek ways to migrate to the United States, but there are limited slots available for those intending to move to the country as permanent residents. In the fiscal year 2017, for example, 1,127,167 persons obtained permanent resident status, also known as green cards, in the US. This number includes those who became naturalized US citizens, with 757,000 permanent residents becoming citizens in the same fiscal year.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offers several ways of obtaining a green card, including through family, employment, asylum, and more. These options cater to various individuals, from immediate relatives of US citizens to those with unique talents or job skills.
Immediate Relatives of a US Citizen ¶
Immediate relatives of a US citizen include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of US citizens who are at least 21 years old. There is no limit to the number of green cards that can be issued to immediate relatives each year.
Other Relatives of a US Citizen or a Relative of a Lawful Permanent Resident ¶
This category includes unmarried sons or daughters of US citizens, married sons or daughters of US citizens, brothers or sisters of US citizens, spouses of lawful permanent residents, and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents. A maximum of 480,000 green cards are granted under this category each year, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Employment-Based Green Cards ¶
140,000 green cards are issued each year to foreigners with unique talents or job skills that have a shortage in the US. This category includes individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, athletics, professors, and researchers, as well as physicians willing to work in designated underserved areas.
Green Card Lottery ¶
50,000 green cards are made available each year through a lottery system to nationals of countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. Applications are submitted online for a period of one month between October and November each year.
Other Green Card Options ¶
Other options for obtaining a green card include refugee and political asylum, human trafficking and crime victims, victims of abuse, and individuals born in the United States to foreign diplomats. Under most of these categories, permanent residents become eligible to apply for naturalization in five years, provided they live permanently in the US and have good moral character.
