How To Get a New U.S. Green Card
The permanent resident card or green card is issued to foreign nationals to authorize them to live in the U.S. as permanent residents. The most popular paths to get a green card are:
- Family Sponsored Green Card
- Employer Sponsored Green Card
Steps to Get a New Green Card
Steps to Get Family Sponsored Green Card:
1File Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative.
The U.S. citizen or permanent resident (sponsor) should file Form I-130 and the USCIS must approve the immigrant visa petition. This must be accompanied by proof of relationship between the sponsor and applicant, and other documents.
2File a green card application.
- If applying through adjustment of status, file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status, with USCIS.
- If applying through consular processing, file Form DS-230, Application for Immigrant visa and Alien Registration.
3Take the green card medical examination.
The applicant must consult a doctor approved by USCIS or the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy to take all necessary immunizations and get certified that are free from any communicable disease.
4Appear for the green card interview.
- If applying through consular processing, attend an interview at the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy.
- If apply through adjustment of status, attend an interview at the nearest USCIS office.
5Receive a green card.
- If applying through consular processing, the applicant will first receive an immigrant visa in their passport and once in the U.S. a green card will be mailed to them.
- If applying through adjustment of status, the applicant will receive a green card in the mail.
Steps to Get Employer Sponsored Green Card:
1The employer submits Labor Certification Application (ETA-750) to the U.S. Department of Labor.
2The employer files the I-140 petition with USCIS on behalf of the applicant.
3Once the petition is approved, file a green card application.
- If applying through adjustment of status, file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status, with USCIS.
- If applying through consular processing, file Form DS-230, Application for Immigrant visa and Alien Registration.
4Take the green card medical examination.
The applicant must consult a doctor approved by USCIS or the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy to take all necessary immunizations and get certified that are free from any communicable disease.
5Once the green card application is approved, appear for the green card interview.
- If applying through consular processing, attend an interview at the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy.
- If apply through adjustment of status, attend an interview at the nearest USCIS office.
6If the interview goes well, receive a green card.
- If applying through consular processing, the applicant will first receive an immigrant visa in their passport and once in the U.S. a green card will be mailed to them.
- If applying through adjustment of status, the applicant will receive a green card in the mail.
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