How to Apply for a Permanent Resident Card
A U.S. permanent resident card, also known as a green card, is given to U.S. permanent residents who are allowed to live and work in the U.S. permanently. The two most popular ways to apply for a U.S. permanent residence require a person to be sponsored either by a family member who is a permanent resident or citizen of the U.S., or by a U.S. employer.
Steps to Apply for a Permanent Resident Car
1. The applicant’s sponsor files a petition on their behalf.
If applying for a family-based green card, the applicant’s immediate family member (spouse, child, parent or sibling) who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident files Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative.
If applying for an employment-based green card, the applicant’s sponsor who is their employer files Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker.
2. Once the petition is approved, the applicant files a green card application.
If the applicant lives in the U.S., he/she files Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, with USCIS. If the applicant lives outside the U.S., he/she files Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa Application, with the U.S. Department of State.
3. Once the green card application is approved, the applicant attends an interview.
If the applicant lives in the U.S., he/she attends an interview at a USCIS office near them.
If the applicant lives outside the U.S., he/she attends an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country.
4. If the interview goes well, the applicant receives a green card in the mail.
Applicants applying from outside the U.S. will be mailed a green card once they enter the country.
