Applying for and getting permanent residency in the United States, also known as a Green Card, can be different for everyone, depending on your immigration status, family ties, and work situation. Learn about the requirements, costs, and various ways you can apply for a Green Card.
The dream of a better future in the United States is often tied closely to getting a Green Card. Getting one is the first step towards becoming a U.S. citizen and achieving a better life for you and your family.
For example, Immigrants without legal status in the U.S. are at constant risk of deportation. Plus, a temporary immigration status can hold back your personal and professional growth. By getting a Green Card, you can:
- Live and work legally
- Travel abroad freely
- Sponsor your spouse and children
- Apply for citizenship in 5 years (or 3 years if you have a Green Card through marriage)
- Be eligible for federal benefits
- Have legal protection under U.S. laws
5 Ways to Get a Green Card
The Green Card is the document that proves you have legal and permanent residency in the U.S. Want to know if you can apply? Here are the five main ways you might qualify:
- Through Family: U.S. citizens and permanent residents with a Green Card can apply for residency for immediate family members, like spouses, children, parents, and siblings.
- Through Employment: Specialized workers and professionals can apply for a Green Card. This includes artists, musicians, scientists, teachers, business owners, athletes, doctors, religious workers, skilled workers, and even investors who have invested or are in the process of investing at least $1,050,000 in a new business.
- For Humanitarian Reasons: People who have suffered from abuse, crimes, or persecution due to their race, nationality, or political and social issues in their home country can apply for asylum and, after that, for permanent residency in the U.S.
- Diversity Lottery: Each year, the U.S. government holds a lottery process for 50,000 Green Cards. This lottery helps people from countries with low immigration rates to the U.S., especially in Oceania, Africa, and Asia. Citizens from some Latin American countries may also qualify for this program.
- Based on Time in the US: If you arrived in the U.S. legally or illegally before January 1, 1972, and haven’t left the country since, you may be eligible to apply for a Green Card.
Process and Requirements for Applying for a Green Card
One of the most common ways to apply for U.S. residency is through a family member. To start this process, the petitioner, who must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident, needs to go to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and submit their application under one of these two main categories:
- Immediate Relatives: This is for the spouse, unmarried children under 21, and parents of a U.S. citizen.
- Family Preference: This is for unmarried children over 21, married children of any age, and siblings over 21 of a U.S. citizen, or for the spouse and unmarried children of a legal permanent resident.
To apply for a Green Card through an immediate family member, the sponsor or petitioner must complete and submit Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. Once it’s approved, they will need to wait for a visa appointment date to be assigned. The time between these steps will depend on availability and the eligibility category they applied under. You can check the status of this information in the visa bulletin from the Department of State.
There is no annual limit on visas obtained through immediate relatives. If the family member is already in the United States, it’s also recommended to submit Form I-485 to process the status adjustment.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Permanent Residency in the U.S.?
The process and requirements for each eligibility category are different, and each case has specific requirements. In any situation, this process involves an investment of time and money.
Adjustment of Status
If the beneficiary already lives in the United States The first requirement is Form I-130, which costs $675 USD ($625 USD if submitted online). You’ll also need to pay for Form I-485, which costs $1,440 USD ($950 USD if the relative is under 14 years old and the form is submitted together with a parent’s form).
The total cost is about $2,115 USD. This estimate assumes the relative is already in the U.S. and is only adjusting their status. You can also apply for a work permit and a travel permit. These applications have additional fees of $260 and $630, respectively.
Consular Processing
If the beneficiary lives outside the United States If the beneficiary is in another country, they will need to go through the consular process. This is done through the Department of State, and the full process depends on the visa category. Additionally, Consular Processing requires submitting other documents, but the costs are usually lower than for someone already living in the U.S. The consular process includes the following fees:
- DS-260, Immigrant Visa Application: $325 USD
- Form I-864, Affidavit of Support: $120 USD
- USCIS Immigrant Fee: $220 USD
Key Differences Between the Two Processes:
For Consular Processing, fees are paid over time as steps in the process are completed. In contrast, with an Adjustment of Status (when the family member is already in the U.S.), most fees must be paid upfront, at the same time.
In either case, you should also consider other additional expenses, such as transportation, medical exams, photos, and legal fees (if needed), which can range from $2,000 to $5,000 USD.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to which option is better. Each immigration situation is different, and the best option depends on your circumstances. It’s important to note that in the case of an adjustment of status, the Green Card can be denied for discretionary reasons. On the other hand, denials are rare in the consular process.
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