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Permanent Resident Card or the US Green Card is provided to all permanent residents as proof that they are authorized to live and work in the United States. If you are a permanent resident age 18 or older, you are required to have a valid Green Card in your possession at all times.
The steps you must take to apply for a Green Card will vary depending on your situation. Green Card can be obtained through Family or employment or by making investments in the American economy.
To apply for a Green Card, you must be eligible under one of the categories listed below.
Green Card through Family
You may be eligible to apply as an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, if you are the spouse of a U.S. citizen or Unmarried child under the age of 21 of a U.S. citizen or Parent of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old.
Further, you may be eligible to apply as other relative of a U.S. citizen or relative of a lawful permanent resident under the family-based preference categories. U.S. immigration law allows certain noncitizens who are family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to become lawful permanent residents (get a Green Card) based on specific family relationships.
Green Card through Employment
U.S. immigration law provides foreigners with a variety of ways to become lawful permanent residents (Green Card) through employment in the United States. These employment-based (EB) “preference immigrant” categories include:
First preference (EB-1) – priority workers
Foreigners with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics;
Outstanding professors and researchers; or
Certain multinational managers and executives.
Second preference (EB-2)
Foreigners who are members of the professions holding advanced degrees or who have exceptional ability
Third preference (EB-3) – skilled workers, professionals, or other workers.
U.S. immigration law also allows certain noncitizens who are employment-based immigrants to become lawful permanent residents (Green Card).
One employment-based (EB) “preference immigrant” category includes noncitizens who have invested or are actively in the process of investing $1,050,000 (or $800,000 in a targeted employment area or infrastructure project) in a new commercial enterprise that will benefit the U.S. economy and create at least 10 full-time positions for qualifying employees.
These noncitizens are also called “EB-5 immigrant investors” because they are in the employment-based fifth preference visa category.
Green Card through Other Categories
Diversity Immigrant Visa Program
The Diversity Visa is an annual program that grants visas to individuals from low-immigration nations who meet tight qualifying requirements for the United States. Applications for the DV-2026 program, also known as the US Diversity Immigrant Visa Program were accepted from October 2, 2024, until November 5, 2024.
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.
Registry is a section of immigration law that enables certain individuals who have been present in the United States since Jan. 1, 1972, the ability to apply for a Green Card (permanent residence), even if they are currently in the United States unlawfully.
Eligibility Criteria
You may be eligible to receive a Green Card (permanent residence) under the registry provisions if you meet all of the following conditions:
You entered the United States prior to January 1, 1972
You have resided in the United States continuously since you entered
You are a person of good moral character
You are not ineligible for naturalization (citizenship)
You are not removable (deportable) and are not inadmissible under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)
Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/business/investing-abroad-us-green-card-application-guide-navigating-the-path-to-american-permanent-residency-3703343/
