A green card identifies its holder as a U.S. permanent resident, with rights to enter, exit, work, and live in the United States for their entire life—and to eventually apply for naturalized U.S. citizenship. To apply for a Green Card, you must be eligible under one of the categories listed below.
Immediate relatives are at the top of the list when it comes to qualifying for U.S. green cards and receiving them quickly. This category includes:
spouses of U.S. citizens, including recent widows and widowers; also including same-sex spouses, if the marriage is legally valid in the state or country where it took place
unmarried people under age 21 with at least one U.S. citizen parent
parents of U.S. citizens, if the U.S. citizen son or daughter is at least age 21
stepchildren and stepparents of U.S. citizens, if the marriage creating the stepparent/stepchild relationship took place before the child’s 18th birthday, and
adopted children of U.S. citizens or permanent residents, if the adoption took place before the child reached age 16 and other conditions are met.
An unlimited number of green cards are available for immediate relatives whose U.S. citizen relatives petition for them—applicants can get a green card as soon as they get through the paperwork and application process.
Certain close family members of U.S. citizens or permanent residents are also eligible for green cards—but typically not right away. They fall into the “preference categories” listed below, meaning that only a certain number of them (480,000 total) will receive green cards each year.
The system is first come, first served—the earlier the U.S. citizen or permanent resident turns in a petition on Form I-130, the sooner the immigrant can apply for a green card, based on “priority date.” You can’t predict the wait time with any certainty, though.
Wait times depend on the category of visa you’re asking for, the country you are from, how many other people from your country are asking for your type of visa, and the workload at the immigration agencies. They can range from no time at all (as is sometimes the case for spouses and minor children of permanent residents) to 20 years (as is often the case for siblings of U.S. citizens who are Philippine citizens).
Family First Preference (“F1”). Unmarried adults, age 21 or older, who have at least one U.S. citizen parent.
Family Second Preference: “F2A:” Spouses and unmarried children of a green card holder, so long as the children are younger than age 21. “F2B:” Unmarried children aged 21 or older of a green card holder.
Family Third Preference (“F3”). Married people, any age, who have at least one U.S. citizen parent.
Family Fourth Preference (“F4”). Sisters and brothers of U.S. citizens, where the citizen is age 21 or older.
Owing to high demand, the waits for people from China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines tend to be particularly long.
A total of 140,000 green cards are available each year to people whose job skills are needed in the U.S. market. In most cases, a job offer is also required, and the employer must prove that it has recruited for the job and not found any willing, able, qualified U.S. workers to hire instead of the immigrant. Because of annual limits, this is a “preference category,” and some applicants wait years for an available green card. Here are the subcategories:
Employment First Preference. Priority workers, including:
persons of extraordinary ability in the arts, the sciences, education, business, or athletics
outstanding professors and researchers, and
managers and executives of multinational companies.
Employment Second Preference. Professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability.
Employment Third Preference. Professionals and skilled or unskilled workers.
Employment Fourth Preference. Religious workers and miscellaneous categories of workers and other “special immigrants” (described below).
Employment Fifth Preference. Investors willing to put $1 million into a U.S. business—or $500,000 if the business is in an economically depressed area. The business must employ at least ten workers.
A certain number of green cards (currently 50,000) are made available to people from countries that in recent years have sent the fewest immigrants to the United States.
Occasionally, laws are passed making green cards available to people in special situations, such as young people under the care of a juvenile court, international broadcasters, and retired employees of the U.S. government abroad.
A green card identifies its holder as a U.S. permanent resident, with rights to enter, exit, work, and live in the United States for their entire life—and to eventually apply for naturalized U.S. citizenship. To apply for a Green Card, you must be eligible under one of the categories listed below.
Immediate relatives are at the top of the list when it comes to qualifying for U.S. green cards and receiving them quickly. This category includes:
spouses of U.S. citizens, including recent widows and widowers; also including same-sex spouses, if the marriage is legally valid in the state or country where it took place
unmarried people under age 21 with at least one U.S. citizen parent
parents of U.S. citizens, if the U.S. citizen son or daughter is at least age 21
stepchildren and stepparents of U.S. citizens, if the marriage creating the stepparent/stepchild relationship took place before the child’s 18th birthday, and
adopted children of U.S. citizens or permanent residents, if the adoption took place before the child reached age 16 and other conditions are met.
An unlimited number of green cards are available for immediate relatives whose U.S. citizen relatives petition for them—applicants can get a green card as soon as they get through the paperwork and application process.
Certain close family members of U.S. citizens or permanent residents are also eligible for green cards—but typically not right away. They fall into the “preference categories” listed below, meaning that only a certain number of them (480,000 total) will receive green cards each year.
The system is first come, first served—the earlier the U.S. citizen or permanent resident turns in a petition on Form I-130, the sooner the immigrant can apply for a green card, based on “priority date.” You can’t predict the wait time with any certainty, though.
Wait times depend on the category of visa you’re asking for, the country you are from, how many other people from your country are asking for your type of visa, and the workload at the immigration agencies. They can range from no time at all (as is sometimes the case for spouses and minor children of permanent residents) to 20 years (as is often the case for siblings of U.S. citizens who are Philippine citizens).
Family First Preference (“F1”). Unmarried adults, age 21 or older, who have at least one U.S. citizen parent.
Family Second Preference: “F2A:” Spouses and unmarried children of a green card holder, so long as the children are younger than age 21. “F2B:” Unmarried children aged 21 or older of a green card holder.
Family Third Preference (“F3”). Married people, any age, who have at least one U.S. citizen parent.
Family Fourth Preference (“F4”). Sisters and brothers of U.S. citizens, where the citizen is age 21 or older.
Owing to high demand, the waits for people from China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines tend to be particularly long.
A total of 140,000 green cards are available each year to people whose job skills are needed in the U.S. market. In most cases, a job offer is also required, and the employer must prove that it has recruited for the job and not found any willing, able, qualified U.S. workers to hire instead of the immigrant. Because of annual limits, this is a “preference category,” and some applicants wait years for an available green card. Here are the subcategories:
Employment First Preference. Priority workers, including:
persons of extraordinary ability in the arts, the sciences, education, business, or athletics
outstanding professors and researchers, and
managers and executives of multinational companies.
Employment Second Preference. Professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability.
Employment Third Preference. Professionals and skilled or unskilled workers.
Employment Fourth Preference. Religious workers and miscellaneous categories of workers and other “special immigrants” (described below).
Employment Fifth Preference. Investors willing to put $1 million into a U.S. business—or $500,000 if the business is in an economically depressed area. The business must employ at least ten workers.
A certain number of green cards (currently 50,000) are made available to people from countries that in recent years have sent the fewest immigrants to the United States.
Occasionally, laws are passed making green cards available to people in special situations, such as young people under the care of a juvenile court, international broadcasters, and retired employees of the U.S. government abroad.
(NOTE: Detailed instructions are written on Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence)
A green card identifies its holder as a U.S. permanent resident, with rights to enter, exit, work, and live in the United States for their entire life—and to eventually apply for naturalized U.S. citizenship. To apply for a Green Card, you must be eligible under one of the categories listed below.
Immediate relatives are at the top of the list when it comes to qualifying for U.S. green cards and receiving them quickly. This category includes:
spouses of U.S. citizens, including recent widows and widowers; also including same-sex spouses, if the marriage is legally valid in the state or country where it took place
unmarried people under age 21 with at least one U.S. citizen parent
parents of U.S. citizens, if the U.S. citizen son or daughter is at least age 21
stepchildren and stepparents of U.S. citizens, if the marriage creating the stepparent/stepchild relationship took place before the child’s 18th birthday, and
adopted children of U.S. citizens or permanent residents, if the adoption took place before the child reached age 16 and other conditions are met.
An unlimited number of green cards are available for immediate relatives whose U.S. citizen relatives petition for them—applicants can get a green card as soon as they get through the paperwork and application process.
Certain close family members of U.S. citizens or permanent residents are also eligible for green cards—but typically not right away. They fall into the “preference categories” listed below, meaning that only a certain number of them (480,000 total) will receive green cards each year.
The system is first come, first served—the earlier the U.S. citizen or permanent resident turns in a petition on Form I-130, the sooner the immigrant can apply for a green card, based on “priority date.” You can’t predict the wait time with any certainty, though.
Wait times depend on the category of visa you’re asking for, the country you are from, how many other people from your country are asking for your type of visa, and the workload at the immigration agencies. They can range from no time at all (as is sometimes the case for spouses and minor children of permanent residents) to 20 years (as is often the case for siblings of U.S. citizens who are Philippine citizens).
Family First Preference (“F1”). Unmarried adults, age 21 or older, who have at least one U.S. citizen parent.
Family Second Preference: “F2A:” Spouses and unmarried children of a green card holder, so long as the children are younger than age 21. “F2B:” Unmarried children aged 21 or older of a green card holder.
Family Third Preference (“F3”). Married people, any age, who have at least one U.S. citizen parent.
Family Fourth Preference (“F4”). Sisters and brothers of U.S. citizens, where the citizen is age 21 or older.
Owing to high demand, the waits for people from China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines tend to be particularly long.
A total of 140,000 green cards are available each year to people whose job skills are needed in the U.S. market. In most cases, a job offer is also required, and the employer must prove that it has recruited for the job and not found any willing, able, qualified U.S. workers to hire instead of the immigrant. Because of annual limits, this is a “preference category,” and some applicants wait years for an available green card. Here are the subcategories:
Employment First Preference. Priority workers, including:
persons of extraordinary ability in the arts, the sciences, education, business, or athletics
outstanding professors and researchers, and
managers and executives of multinational companies.
Employment Second Preference. Professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability.
Employment Third Preference. Professionals and skilled or unskilled workers.
Employment Fourth Preference. Religious workers and miscellaneous categories of workers and other “special immigrants” (described below).
Employment Fifth Preference. Investors willing to put $1 million into a U.S. business—or $500,000 if the business is in an economically depressed area. The business must employ at least ten workers.
A certain number of green cards (currently 50,000) are made available to people from countries that in recent years have sent the fewest immigrants to the United States.
Occasionally, laws are passed making green cards available to people in special situations, such as young people under the care of a juvenile court, international broadcasters, and retired employees of the U.S. government abroad.
Naturalization is the process through which people born outside the United States become citizens of the United States. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) grants you lawful permanent residency through the naturalization procedure (USCIS). To apply, you must meet the conditions outlined in the Immigration and Nationality Act, which Congress created.
One of the most important decisions an immigrant may make is to become a citizen of the United States. Obtaining citizenship may be possible in various methods, depending on your circumstances.
Naturalization is how U.S. citizenship is granted to a lawful permanent resident after meeting the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
Acquisition of citizenship is obtained through U.S. citizenship parents either at birth or after birth, but before the age of 18.
The most noticeable difference between naturalization and citizenship by acquisition is how one becomes a citizen. For people over the age of 18, naturalization is the process of applying for citizenship. The term “acquisition of citizenship” refers to someone who obtains citizenship as a result of being:
Born in the United States or a U.S. Territory
Born to parents who are U.S. Citizens
Understanding the Citizenship Process in the United States-
(Make sure you fulfill all eligibility standards before applying and see if you qualify for any exceptions or modifications.)
What to do: If you are not a U.S. citizen by birth or did not acquire or derive U.S. citizenship from your parent(s) automatically after birth, go to the next step.
What to do: Review the naturalization eligibility worksheet (PDF, 300.55 KB) to help you decide if you are eligible to apply for naturalization.
This form is available to file online. Start by creating your free online account.
What to do:
Read the instructions to complete Form N-400.
Collect the necessary documents to demonstrate your eligibility for naturalization. If you reside outside the United States, get two passport-style photos taken.
Use the document checklist (PDF, 178.19 KB) to make sure you collect all the required documents.
This form is available to file online. You may also pay your fees online.
Once you submit Form N-400, USCIS will send you a receipt notice. You can check case processing times and your case status online.
What to do: If you need to take biometrics, USCIS will give you an appointment notice with the date, time, and location of your biometrics appointment. At the appointed time, arrive at the assigned spot. Make an appointment to have your biometrics taken.
USCIS will schedule an interview with you to complete the naturalization process once all of the preliminary steps on your application are completed. You must appear in person at the USCIS office on the date and time specified on your appointment notice. Please remember to bring your appointment notice.
USCIS will mail a notice of the decision to you. If you filed your N-400 online, you could also access the electronic notice in your account.
Granted – USCIS may approve your Form N-400 if the evidence in your record establishes that you are eligible for naturalization.
Continued – USCIS may continue your application if you need to provide additional evidence/documentation, fail to provide USCIS the correct documents, or fail the English and/or civics test the first time.
Denied – USCIS will deny your Form N-400 if the evidence in your record establishes you are not eligible for naturalization.
What to expect: If USCIS approves your Form N-400 in step 7, you may be able to participate in a naturalization ceremony on the same day as your interview. If a same-day naturalization ceremony is unavailable, USCIS will mail you a notification with your scheduled ceremony’s date, time, and location. If you filed your N-400 online, you could also access the electronic notice in your application.
You are not a U.S. citizen until you take the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony.
What to do:
Complete the questionnaire on Form N-445, Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony.
Report for your naturalization ceremony and check in with USCIS. A USCIS officer will review your responses to Form N-445.
Turn in your Permanent Resident Card (Green Card).
Take the Oath of Allegiance to become a U.S. citizen.
Receive your Certificate of Naturalization, review it, and notify USCIS of any errors you see on your certificate before leaving the ceremony site.
Citizenship is the common thread that connects all Americans. Check out this list of some of the fundamental rights and responsibilities that all citizens—both Americans by birth and by choice—should exercise, honor, and respect.
If you and your spouse were married for less than two years when your green card (visa) was obtained, it would be “conditional,” meaning it will only be valid for two years. To become a permanent resident of the United States, you must apply for condition removal and get a 10-year green card.
A conditional green card allows you to live and work in the United States as any other green card holder, but only for two years before you must update your status to a full, ten-year green card. If your immigration status is not adjusted within the 90-day window before your conditional Green Card expires, you will lose your permanent resident status and be forced to leave the United States. Conditional Green Cards are not renewable.
For condition removal on a Green Card based on marriage, you must file Form I-751, Petition to Remove the Conditions of Residence.
To remove conditions on a Green Card for entrepreneurs, you must file Form I-829, Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions.
If you’re a conditional permanent resident who got your status through marriage and want to remove the conditions on your status, you have to fill out this form.
You must file with your spouse within 90 days of the expiration of your two-year Green Card (technically known as a Permanent Resident Card). USCIS may immediately terminate your status and send you a Notice to Appear if you do not file on time (NTA).
If you were granted conditional permanent resident status on the same day as your parent or within 90 days of receiving conditional status, you might be eligible to be included on your parent’s petition. Otherwise, you’ll have to submit a petition with your stepparent on your own.
You may file to remove conditions on your permanent residence status without your spouse or stepparent at any time after you are granted conditional status if:
You or your parent entered into the marriage in good faith, but your spouse or stepparent subsequently died;
You or your parent entered into a marriage in good faith, but the marriage ended through divorce or annulment;
You entered into a marriage in good faith, but either you or your child were battered or subjected to extreme cruelty by your spouse;
Your parent entered into the marriage in good faith, but you were battered or subjected to extreme cruelty by either your parent or your parent’s spouse; or
Termination of your status and removal from the United States would be extremely hard.
You must:
Complete and sign your Form I-751;
Pay the filing fee, if applicable; and
Provide all required evidence and supporting documentation.
(NOTE: Detailed instructions are written on Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence)