ImmigrantFamily sponsor
Family-based
Immediate relatives of citizens (spouses, children, parents) and preference categories for relatives of residents.
- Immediate relatives of citizens: no annual numerical limit.
- Preference categories (F1, F2, F3, F4): subject to limits and waiting times.
- Process via Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative).
ImmigrantEmployer sponsored
Employment-based (EB-1 to EB-5)
Five preference categories based on employment, from extraordinary ability to investment.
- EB-1: extraordinary ability, professors, multinational executives.
- EB-2: advanced degree professionals or exceptional ability (includes NIW).
- EB-3: skilled professionals and workers.
- EB-4: special immigrants (religious, certain youth, etc.).
- EB-5: capital investment with job creation.
ImmigrantRandom selection
Diversity Visa lottery (DV)
The Diversity Visa Program awards 50,000 visas annually to people from countries with low immigration to the US.
- Free annual registration at dvprogram.state.gov.
- Requires high school education or qualifying work experience.
- Random selection; being selected does not guarantee the visa.
Immigrant
Adjustment of Status (AOS) and consular processing
The two paths to obtain the Green Card once the petition is approved.
- AOS: Form I-485, filed inside the US.
- Consular processing: interview at the embassy/consulate of the home country.
- Green Cards must be renewed every 10 years (Form I-90).
- A resident may lose status due to long absences or certain crimes.