Requirements to Get a US Green Card Through Employment or Family

If you would like to become a US citizen, you must first be a resident for 5 years. Residents have many of the same rights as citizens, but cannot vote. The identification given to a resident is known as a Green Card, and there are several paths through which to get it. Two major paths are through employment, or through a family member that is a citizen of the US. This guide introduces you to the requirements for each of these paths, allowing you to determine which is your best option.

Employment: There are four categories of workers. Advanced college degrees are especially helpful here. Priority workers are people with high achievements in the fields of arts, sciences, athletics, business, or education, including noted professors or researchers. Also in this category are managers and executives who are transferred internationally by the company they work for. Persons with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Abilities are those people with degrees higher than a bachelors. This category includes doctors who will agree to practice in under-served parts of the US. The Skilled or Professional Workers category groups applicants with either bachelor's degrees, two-years training in a skill, or unskilled workers. The final category, Special Immigrants, includes religious workers, and people who work or used to work for the US government.

After verifying your eligibility under one of these categories, you can complete the necessary paperwork to apply for a visa. You must have a job first, as your employer needs to petition on your behalf.

Through a family member: In most cases your family member must be a citizen, and prove that they can support you at 125% of the national poverty line. If they are a citizen, they can petition for residency for their husband or wife, child, married or unmarried, under or over 21, brother or sister, if the sponsor is at least 21 years old, or their parent, if the sponsor is at least 21 years old. If the relative has US Permanent Residency, they can petition for residency for only their husband, wife, or unmarried child.

Adult unmarried sons and daugters of citizens are top priority. They are followed by the husband or wife of a permanent resident, and their unmarried sons or daughters, over or under 21. Next in line are married sons and daughters of a citizen. Last priority are brothers and sisters of an adult citizen.

Once you know what category you should apply under, consult the US Immigration webpage for details on how to apply. Good luck, and make sure to hire a good lawyer to get you through the process!