What Is a Green Card?
A Permanent Resident Card — commonly called a Green Card — grants non-U.S. citizens the right to live and work permanently in the United States. Green card holders enjoy most of the same rights as U.S. citizens, with the exception of voting and certain government jobs. Understanding which eligibility category applies to you is the critical first step in the application process.
The Main Green Card Categories
1. Family-Based Green Cards
Family sponsorship is the most common pathway to a green card. U.S. citizens and permanent residents can petition for certain relatives.
- Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens – Spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens. These have no annual numerical limits and are the fastest family-based category.
- Family Preference Categories – Includes adult children, married children, and siblings of U.S. citizens, as well as spouses and children of permanent residents. These categories have annual caps and often involve waiting periods.
2. Employment-Based Green Cards
Employers can sponsor foreign workers for permanent residence across five preference categories:
| Category | Who Qualifies |
|---|---|
| EB-1 | Priority workers: persons of extraordinary ability, outstanding professors/researchers, multinational managers |
| EB-2 | Professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability; National Interest Waiver (NIW) self-petitions |
| EB-3 | Skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled (other) workers |
| EB-4 | Special immigrants (religious workers, certain broadcasters, Afghan/Iraqi nationals, others) |
| EB-5 | Immigrant investors who invest in U.S. businesses that create jobs |
3. Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery
Each year, the U.S. government makes up to 55,000 diversity immigrant visas available through a random lottery. The DV lottery is open to applicants from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. Winners must meet education or work experience requirements and go through full background checks.
4. Refugee and Asylee Status
Individuals who have been granted refugee status or asylum in the United States may apply for a green card after one year of continuous presence. Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) or an immigrant visa through a U.S. embassy is used, depending on the applicant's location.
5. Special Immigrant Categories
These include:
- Certain broadcasters employed by international U.S. media
- Iraqi and Afghan nationals who assisted U.S. forces
- Religious workers
- Certain juveniles who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned (Special Immigrant Juvenile Status)
- Certain military members and veterans
6. Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
Victims of abuse by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse, parent, or child may self-petition for a green card under VAWA without the abuser's knowledge or cooperation.
Adjustment of Status vs. Consular Processing
Once an immigrant visa becomes available in your category, you can obtain a green card through one of two processes:
- Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) – For applicants already present in the U.S. You apply to change your status to permanent resident without leaving the country.
- Consular Processing – For applicants outside the U.S. or those who choose to complete the process through a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.
Checking Visa Bulletin Priority Dates
For categories with annual numerical caps, a priority date determines your place in line. The U.S. Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin monthly, showing which priority dates are currently being processed. Your priority date is generally the date USCIS received your immigrant petition (Form I-130 or I-140).
Next Steps
Identifying the right category is step one. From there, the process involves filing the correct petition, waiting for visa availability, and completing either adjustment of status or consular processing. Given the complexity of some pathways, consulting a qualified immigration attorney can help you avoid costly errors.