In America, a green card allows a foreign national to live and work in the United States permanently. If you’re not a U.S. citizen but would like to become one, there are a number of ways to get a green card.

The most common way to get a green card is through family sponsorship. If you have an immediate relative who is a U.S. citizen, they can sponsor you for a green card. Other relatives who may be able to sponsor you include:

– Unmarried children (21 years of age or older) of U.S. citizens

– Spouses of permanent residents

– Children (unmarried and under 21 years of age) of permanent residents

– Parents of U.S. citizens (if the citizen is 21 years of age or older)

– Siblings of U.S. citizens (if the citizen is 21 years of age or older)

Employment Sponsorship 

Another common way to get a green card is through employment sponsorship. If you have an offer of permanent employment in the United States, your employer can sponsor you for a green card. In order to qualify, your job must require at least two years of experience or training, and it must fall into one of the following categories:

– Professional occupation (requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree)

– Specialist occupation (requires a bachelor’s degree plus extra training)

– Executive or managerial position with a multi-national company

Investor Visa 

If you’re interested in investing in a U.S. business, you may be eligible for an investor visa. In order to qualify, you must invest a minimum of $1 million (or $500,000 if the investment is made in a “targeted employment area”). The investment must create at least ten full-time jobs for U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Self-Petitioning Artists and Athletes 

If you’re an artist or athlete with extraordinary ability, you may be eligible for a green card through self-petitioning. To qualify, you must be able to demonstrate that you have a significant record of achievement in your field.

Asylee or Refugee Status

If you’re unable to return to your home country due to persecution, you may be eligible for a green card through asylee or refugee status. To qualify, you must be able to show that you’ve been persecuted (or have a well-founded fear of persecution) on the basis of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.

Humanitarian Parole 

If you’re not eligible for any other type of visa or green card, but there are extraordinary circumstances that warrant your admission to the United States, you may be eligible for humanitarian parole. To qualify, you must demonstrate that your entry is necessary for a significant public benefit.

Green Card Lottery 

The Green Card Lottery (also known as the Diversity Visa Lottery) is a program that makes 55,000 green cards available each year to people from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. To be eligible, you must be a native of an eligible country and meet certain educational or work experience requirements.

Do you think you or a loved one might be eligible for a green card? Contact our experienced immigration attorneys today to learn more about how we can help. Call us today at (720) 802-2705 to learn more about your legal options and ways we can help.