Residency/Green Card
Your Path to Permanent Residency Starts Here
There are several different ways to become a
Legal Permanent
Resident
The following are the most common ways:
- Family
- Employment
- Victim of Violence/Crime
Family
Who can Sponsor (Petition for) a Family Member for Legal Permanent Residence (Green Card)?
United States Citizens who are 21 years of age can petition
- Parents
- Married or single children over the age of 21
- Single children under age 21
- Brothers and Sisters
Lawful Permanent Residents can petition
- Spouse
- Unmarried sons or daughters
Who Cannot Sponsor (Petition for) a Family Member for Legal Permanent Residence?
- Grandparent
- Aunt/Uncle
- Cousin
- Friend
Employment
Who can become a Legal Permanent Resident through an Employer?
First
Preference
- People with Extraordinary Ability
- Outstanding Professors/Researchers
- Managers/Executives
Second
Preference
- Advanced Degree Professionals
- Exceptional Ability
Third
Preference
- Professionals with Bachelor’s Degrees
- Skilled Workers (two years training)
- Other Workers (unskilled)
Fourth
Preference
- Special Immigrants (religious workers)
Fifth
Preference
- Immigrant Investors
Victim of Violence/Crime
U Visa
To qualify for you must show:
- That you have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse from certain criminal activity* in the US;
- That you possess information concerning the criminal activity;
- That you assisted government officials in the investigation; and
- The criminal activity violated US law or occurred in the US.
Certain criminal activities include: rape, torture, trafficking, incest, domestic violence, sexual assault, abusive sexual contact, prostitution, sexual exploitation, female genital mutilation, being held hostage, peonage, involuntary servitude, slave trade, kidnapping, abduction, unlawful criminal restraint, false imprisonment, blackmail, extortion, manslaughter, murder, felonious assault, witness tampering, obstruction of justice, perjury, or any attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit any of the aforementioned crimes.
Violence Against Women’s Act
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) allows an abused spouse or child of a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident, or an abused parent of a U.S. Citizen, to self-petition for lawful status in the United States, obtain employment authorization, and access public benefits. VAWA provides domestic violence survivors with the essential resources to escape violence and establish safe, independent lives.
If you have been a victim of domestic violence by an abusive spouse who is a U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder, you may qualify for residency through VAWA.
