How to Become A Permanent Resident in The United States
Let’s find out more as we continue reading the following topics:
- Who Can Apply to Become A Permanent Resident?
- Permanent Resident through the Green Card Program
- Family Sponsor: US Green Card Holder relative/spouse
- Family Sponsor: US Citizen relative/spouse
- Permanent Resident through job offer
- Refuge and Political Asylum
Who Can Apply to Become A Permanent Resident?
Permanent Resident through the Green Card Program
How Can I Know If I’m Eligible for the Green Card Program?
- Not every country is eligible for the Green Card Program.
- The list of country changes each year, so you will need to check to see if your country is eligible before starting the green card application process.
- For eligibility you will also need to fulfill the educational requirement and work experience requirement.
Family Sponsorship
a. Through a relative or spouse who is a US Green Card Holder
Green Card Holder Spouses
If the marriage to a green card holder is authentic, then the green card holder can file for his/her spouse. A spouse falls under the secondary preference category.
Green Card Holder Unmarried Children under age 21
If the children are unmarried and are under the age of 21, then the green card holder can also file for them since they also fall under the second preference category.
b. Through a US Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident
United State Citizens can file for their spouses, parents, children, and siblings for permanent residence status. They too have a long waiting period for their Green Cards to become available.
Permanent Residence Through Job Offer
- Sponsorship from an employer - the employer will have to prove that there is a shortage of US labor in the specific labor force or that no citizen or green card holders are willing to accept the job for which they are sponsoring.
- Investment – if you are an investor you can become a permanent resident for job creation in the United State.
- Self-Petition – applicants with extra ordinary skills can also apply through the “National Interest Waiver” option.
- Special Skilled Worker – if you are eligible under a specific job category as skilled worker you can become a Permanent Resident. For example, doctor, journalist, athlete, religious worker, and many others.