1
Family-Based Green Cards
Immediate relatives of citizens and lawful permanent residents of the United States may apply for family-based Green Cards. Examples of categories are:
Immediate Relatives:
- Includes spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens.
- No annual cap on visas, making processing faster.
- Higher priority for Green Card approval.
Family Preference Categories:
- Includes spouses, single children under 21, and parents of citizens of the United States.
- Immediate relatives can obtain a Green Card more quickly.
- No annual cap on their visas.
2
Employment-Based Green Cards
Work-based foreign nationals with exceptional skills in their area or those who have received a job offer from a U.S. firm are eligible to apply for Green Cards. Examples of categories are:
- EB-1: For highly skilled professionals, exceptional educators and researchers, or executives and managers from international corporations.
- EB-2: For experts in the arts, sciences, or business with advanced degrees or remarkable skills. The National Interest Waiver (NIW) option is included in this category for individuals whose labor benefits the United States.
- EB-3: For professionals holding bachelor’s degrees, skilled laborers, and other employees lacking specific training.
- EB-4: For special immigrants, including religious workers, certain employees of U.S. foreign missions, and other specific groups.
- EB-5: For exceptional immigrants, such as clergy members, specific staff members of American overseas missions, and other designated groups.