The Green Card, Explained
Learn the timeline, cost, and types of green cards for U.S. permanent residence.
What is a Green Card?
A Green Card, officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, is a document issued by the U.S. government that grants the holder permanent resident status. This status allows individuals to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely and provides a pathway to U.S. citizenship after a specified period (typically 3-5 years).
Registration Services
Navigating the Green Card application process can be complex and time-consuming. Using a professional registration service can help ensure that your application is accurate, complete, and submitted on time. For dedicated support and expert guidance, consider partnering with Paid Services provider.
Did You Know?
For FY2024, approximately 34.7 million people have applied for Green Cards. For context, in 1996, only about 10 million people applied. The U.S. government has announced that it will approve around 1.1 million Green Card applications this year, meaning that only 3 out of every 100 applicants will be approved. SOURCE: CATO Institute.
Secure Your Green Card with Expert Guidance
Applying for a Green Card can be overwhelming, but having the right support can make all the difference. Paid Services provider offers expert guidance to help you navigate the process with confidence. Whether you’re applying through family, employment, or other categories, having an experienced team by your side can significantly increase your chances of success.
The Green Card Application Process
The Green Card application process differs depending on whether you are applying from within or outside the United States. There are two main Green Card application forms:
- Form I-485 (Application to Adjust Status): This form is used by those already in the U.S. on a nonimmigrant visa, who have been selected for a diversity visa, or who are eligible through family or employment.
- Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Electronic Application): This form is used by those seeking an immigrant visa from abroad, either through family sponsorship, employer sponsorship, or the diversity visa program.
Not sure which visa is right for you? Take a free assessment with Paid Services provider to get a customized plan.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Green Card?
The processing time for a Green Card can vary widely, ranging from a few months to several years, depending on the type of Green Card you’re applying for and your location.
Applying from within the United States:
- For spouses and immediate relatives (parents and minor children) of U.S. citizens, the wait time is currently 10–23 months.
- For spouses of U.S. Green Card holders, other relatives of U.S. citizens, and employment-based Green Cards, the wait time can be two years or more.
Applying from outside the United States:
- For spouses and immediate relatives of U.S. citizens via consular processing, the wait time is currently 11.4–15 months.
- For other Green Card categories, wait times vary based on country caps and can be significantly longer.
How Much Does a Green Card Cost?
The government filing fee for a family-based Green Card is $3,005 for applicants applying from within the United States, and $1,340 for applicants living outside the United States. Note that this does not include the cost of the required medical exam, which varies by provider. For other Green Card categories, check the USCIS website for the specific fees associated with your application.Types of Green Cards
There are many categories of Green Cards, with the most common types being:
- Family-Based Green Card
- Employment-Based Green Card
- Humanitarian Green Cards
- Diversity Program Green Card
- Longtime-Resident Green Card
- Other Special Green Cards
How to Get a Green Card
While the specific steps may vary based on your situation, most Green Card applications follow this general process:
- Petition Filing: A petition is filed on your behalf by a family member, employer, or by yourself in certain cases.
- Application Submission: Once your petition is approved and a visa is available, you submit a Green Card application (Form I-485 or DS-260).
- Biometrics Appointment: You provide your fingerprints, photos, and signature.
- Interview: You attend an interview with immigration officials.
- Decision: You receive a decision on your application.
This process can take several months to several years, depending on your specific circumstances and visa category.
Getting a Family-Based Green Card
Close relatives of U.S. citizens and current Green Card holders may apply for family-based Green Cards. Eligible family members include spouses, children, parents, and siblings (as well as the spouses and children of those spouses, adult children, and siblings).
This category also includes widows and widowers who were married to a U.S. citizen at the time of the citizen’s death. Like spouses of living U.S. citizens and current Green Card holders who apply for a marriage-based Green Card, widows and widowers must prove that their marriage was genuine to receive a Green Card.
Note: Many extended family members—such as cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents—do not qualify. They may apply for a Green Card only if they have a closer relative who is a U.S. citizen or current Green Card holder.
Getting an Employment-Based Green Card
Within the employment-based Green Card category, multiple subcategories of workers can apply for a permanent resident card. In some cases, their spouses and children may qualify for a Green Card as well.
Types of Employment-Based Green Cards:
- Priority Workers (EB-1): Individuals with extraordinary abilities in the arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics, outstanding professors and researchers, and multinational managers and executives.
- Professionals with Advanced Degrees and Exceptional Abilities (EB-2): Individuals with a master’s degree or higher, or those with exceptional abilities in the sciences, arts, or business.
- Skilled, Unskilled, and Professional Workers (EB-3): Workers with at least a bachelor’s degree or specialized training.
- Special Workers (EB-4): Religious workers, certain employees or former employees of the U.S. government abroad, and other specific groups.
- Investors (EB-5): Individuals who invest a significant amount of capital in a U.S. business that creates jobs for U.S. workers.
Getting a Humanitarian Green Card
Several Green Card categories are available to individuals who need humanitarian protection:
- Parole in Place (PIP): Offers a pathway to lawful status for certain undocumented family members of U.S. citizens, potentially leading to Green Card eligibility. Military Families PIP is available to undocumented spouses, parents, and children of U.S. military service members.
- Refugees and Asylees: Individuals who have been granted refugee or asylum status due to persecution in their home country may apply for a Green Card after living in the U.S. for at least one year.
- Human-Trafficking Victims: Victims of human trafficking who have received a T visa may apply for a Green Card after meeting specific residency and legal requirements.
- Crime Victims: Individuals who have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse and have received a U visa may apply for a Green Card after fulfilling specific criteria.
Diversity Program Green Cards
Under the U.S. Diversity Visa Program, the U.S. government randomly selects up to 50,000 individuals from countries with low immigration rates to the United States. Winners are granted the opportunity to apply for a Green Card, allowing them to live and work in the U.S.
Getting a Longtime-Resident Green Card
Individuals who have physically lived in the U.S. continuously since before January 1, 1972, may qualify for a Green Card through the special registry process. Applicants must meet several criteria, including proof of continuous residence and "good moral character."
Other Types of Green Cards
The U.S. government issues various other Green Cards, including those for special immigrants such as religious workers, Afghan and Iraqi nationals who have served the U.S. government, and other specific groups. Detailed eligibility requirements for these categories can be found on the USCIS website.
For personalized assistance throughout the Green Card process, trust the experts at Paid Services provider to guide you every step of the way.
This revised content is designed to provide clear, comprehensive information while also encouraging users to take action with the support of Paid Services provider.