Learn about the eligibility requirements to obtain a Green Card through a family member, employer, or other circumstances. Or how to be a sponsor of a relative if you are a citizen.
The Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), establishes the eligibility of the categories to obtain legal permanent residence (LPR). The most common cause of eligibility is through family ties, however, there are other ways such as through a job, through asylum, for reasons of crime victim, among others.
In the case of Green Card through relatives, the eligibility criteria are as follows:
- Immediate relative of a US citizen: Eligible if you are the spouse of a US citizen, a child under 21 years of age of a US citizen, or a parent of a US citizen who is at least 21 years of age.
- Other relative of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident under the family-based preference categories: Eligible if you are an unmarried child of a U.S. citizen over the age of 21, married child of a U.S. citizen, sibling of a citizen at least 21 years old, spouse of an LPR, unmarried child under 21 of an LPR, unmarried child of a legal resident 21 years of age or older.
- Fiancé(e) of a US citizen or child of a fiancé(e).
- Viudo(a) de un ciudadano estadounidense.
- VAWA Self Petitioner, Victim of Abuse or Extreme Cruelty: Abused spouse, child, or parent of a US citizen or LPR.
To be eligible through employment, it is possible to apply for a visa if you are:
- Immigrant worker of the first category of presence: That is to say immigrants with extraordinary abilities in sciences, arts, education, business or sports; outstanding professor or researcher; manager or executive of a multinational company and meets certain criteria.
- Second Preference Category Immigrant Worker: Member of a profession that requires an advanced degree; extraordinary ability in science, art, or business; exemption for reasons of national interest.
- Third preference category immigrant worker: worker who requires at least two years of training or work experience; professional worker; unskilled worker.
- National Interest Waiver Physicians: Physicians who agree to work full-time in clinical practice in an area with limited medical access for a specified period and also meet other eligibility requirements.
- Immigrant Investor: Individuals who have invested or are in the active process of investing at least one million dollars (or $500,000 in a given area of employment) in a new business enterprise in the United States that will create positions on time full for at least 10 qualified employees.
There are also other eligibility categories, such as religious worker; special immigrant youth; international media representatives; employees of international organizations and family members; refugees and asylees; and victims of trafficking and other crimes.
Learn more about the categories and their eligibility at the following link: https://www.uscis.gov/permanent-residence-green-card/permanent-residence-eligibility-categories
