APPLY FOR GREEN CARD
Having a Green Card allows you to live and work permanently in the United States. The steps you must take to apply for a Green Card will vary depending on your individual situation.
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The steps you must take to apply for a Green Card will vary depending on your individual situation. However, here is the general process that most applicants will go through:
1. Someone (“sponsor” or petitioner) usually must file an immigrant petition for you. In some cases ( for example VAWA self-petitioner), you may be eligible to file for yourself.
2. After USCIS approves the immigrant petition, and there is a visa available in your category, you file either a Green Card application with USCIS or a visa application with the U.S. Department of State.
3. You go to a biometrics appointment to provide fingerprints, photos, and a signature.
4. You go to an interview.
5. You receive a decision on your application.
Are you eligible to apply? The eligibility requirements may vary depending on the immigrant category you are applying under. See Green Card Eligibility Categories below, all the possible categories you can apply under and what the eligibility requirements are. Green Card applicants will need to complete at least two forms: an Immigrant Petition and a Green Card application. Here are the most common forms:
Green Card through Family
Green Card through Refugee or Asylee Status
| You may be eligible to apply as a… | If you are the… |
|---|---|
| Asylee Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | Were granted asylum status at least 1 year ago |
| Refugee | Were admitted as a refugee at least 1 year ago |
Green Card through Employment
| You may be eligible to apply as a… | If you are the… |
|---|---|
| Immigrant Worker Form Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | Immigrant Worker Form Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status |
| Physician National Interest Waiver | Are a physician who agrees to work full-time in clinical practice in a designated underserved area for a set period of time and also meets other eligibility requirements |
| Immigrant Investor Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | Immigrant Investor Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status |
Green Card for Victims of Abuse
| You may be eligible to apply as a… | If you are the… |
|---|---|
| VAWA self-petitioner – victim of battery or extreme cruelty | An abused (victim of battery or extreme cruelty) spouse or child under the Haitian Refugee Immigrant Fairness Act (HRIFA) |
| Special Immigrant Juvenile | Are a child who has been abused, abandoned, or neglected by your parent and you have SIJ status |
| An abused (victim of battery or extreme cruelty) spouse or child under the Cuban Adjustment Act | The abused spouse or child of a Cuban native or citizen |
| An abused (victim of battery or extreme cruelty) spouse or child under Haitian Refugee Immigrant Fairness Act (HRIFA) | The abused spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident who received his or her Green Card based on HRIFA |
Green Card as a Special Immigrant
| You may be eligible to apply as a… | If you are the… |
|---|---|
| Religious worker | Are a member of a religious denomination coming to the U.S. to work for a nonprofit religious organization |
| Special Immigrant Juvenile | Are a child who has been abused, abandoned, or neglected by your parent and you have SIJ status |
| Afghanistan or Iraq national | Served as an Afghan or Iraqi translator for the U.S. government. Were employed by or for the U.S. government in Iraq on or after March 20, 2003, for at least one year. Were an Afghan employed by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). |
| International broadcaster | Are you a retired officer or employee of certain international organizations, or NATO, and certain family members Go to the Green Card through Other Categories section for information on other eligibility categories for diplomats. |
| Are you a retired officer or employee of certain international organizations, or NATO, and certain family members Go to the Green Card through the Other Categories section for information on other eligibility categories for diplomats. | An employee of an international organization or family member or NATO-6 employee or family member |
Green Card for Human Trafficking and Crime Victims
| You may be eligible to apply as a… | If you are the… |
|---|---|
| Human trafficking victim | Currently have a T nonimmigrant visa |
| Crime victim | Currently have a U nonimmigrant visa |
Green Card through Registry
You may be eligible to register for a Green Card if you have resided continuously in the U.S. since before Jan. 1, 1972.
Green Card through Other Categories
| Sponsor’s Household Size | 100% of HHS Poverty Guidelines* For sponsors on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces who are petitioning for their spouse or child |
|---|---|
| Diversity Immigrant Visa Program | Were selected for a diversity visa in the Department of State’s diversity visa lottery |
| Cuban Adjustment Act | Are you a Cuban native or citizen, or you are the spouse or child of a Cuban native or citizen |
| An abused (victim of battery or extreme cruelty) spouse or child under the Cuban Adjustment Act | Are the abused spouse or child of a Cuban native or citizen |
| Dependent status under the HRIFA | Are the spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident who received his or her Green Card based on the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (HRIFA) |
| An abused (victim of battery or extreme cruelty) spouse or child under HRIFA | Are the abused spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident who received his or her Green Card based on HRIFA |
| Lautenberg parolee | Were paroled into the U.S. as a Lautenberg parolee |
| Indochinese Parole Adjustment Act of 2000 | Are a native or citizen of Vietnam, Kampuchea (Cambodia), or Laos who was paroled into the U.S. on or before Oct. 1, 1997, from Vietnam under the Orderly Departure Program, a refugee camp in East Asia, or a displaced person camp administered by UNHCR in Thailand. |
| American Indian born in Canada | Have 50% or more of the blood of the American Indian race and were born in Canada |
After USCIS approves the immigrant petition, and there is a visa available in your category, you either file a Green Card application with USCIS or file Visa Application with the U.S. Department of State.
IN THE UNITED STATES
| What application process to use | Your next steps |
|---|---|
| Adjustment of status with USCIS | If you already have an approved immigrant petition and an immigrant visa is available, file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status with USCIS, or If you do not currently have an approved immigrant petition, check the eligibility requirements for your Green Card category to see if you can file the petition and the Form I‑485 together at the same time (this is known as concurrent filing). |
OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES
| What application process to use | Your next steps |
|---|---|
| Consular Processing with the U.S. Department of State. | Go to our Consular Processing page for the next steps |
How much does it cost to apply for a green card?
| Title | USCIS Fee | Biometrics Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status – A biometric services fee is required from applicants 14 – 78 years of age. | $1,140 | 85 |
| Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status – If under 14 years of age and Filing with the Form I-485 of at least one parent; | $750 | N/A |
| Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status – If under 14 years of age and NOT filing with the Form I-485 of at least one parent. | $1,140 | N/A |
| Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status – If filing for adjustment as a refugee under INA section 209(a) | No Fee | N/A |
SPEAK TO ONE OF OUR IMMIGRATION LAWYERS & GET IMMEDIATE HELP TODAY!
LEARN MORE ABOUT:
DIRECT FILING ADDRESSES FOR FORM I-130
DOCUMENTS CHECKLIST GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FORM I-131
FAMILY-BASED APPLICANTS ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS
I-485 WITH GRANTED ASYLUM/REFUGEE STATUS ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS
GREEN CARD FOR FAMILY PREFERENCE IMMIGRANTS
GREEN CARD FOR IMMEDIATE RELATIVES OF U.S. CITIZEN
PREPARING FOR YOUR BIOMETRIC SERVICES APPOINTMENT
If you already submitted a Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, and your case is pending with USCIS, go to USCIS While Your Green Card Application Is Pending with USCIS page for more information check your case status, update your address, and make appointments with USCIS.
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