Family and Employment Based Green Cards

By: Anthony Cooper

If you are planning on becoming a permanent resident (green card), you will need to follow specific steps and procedures depending on your eligibility category. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides detailed information on the processes and procedures to become a permanent resident. There are different paths to obtaining a green card.

What is a Green Card?

A green card grants permanent resident status which allows a non-citizen to live and work in the United States. They may also qualify for U.S. citizenship after three or five years. The U.S. government issued approximately one million green cards in 2022. Most were given to family members of current green card holders and U.S. citizens, followed by workers from other countries seeking employment in the United States.

Family Based Green Cards

Immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen can become a lawful permanent resident (get a green card) based on family relationship if they meet certain eligibility requirements. You are an immediate relative if you are the spouse of a U.S. citizen, the unmarried child under 21 years of age of a U.S. citizen, or the parent of a U.S. citizen (if the U.S. citizen is 21 years of age or older).

Other Family Based Green Cards

Other family members may also be eligible to apply for a green card. These include unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of U.S. citizens, spouses and children (unmarried and under 21 years of age) of lawful permanent residents, unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of lawful permanent residents, married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (if the U.S. citizen is 21 years of age and older).

Employment-Based Green Cards

U.S. immigration law provides aliens with a variety of ways to become lawful permanent residents through employment in the U.S. An employment based green card is a document that gives legal permission for a foreign national to live and work in the United States. It is based on employment-related factors that make the foreign national valuable to the U.S. economy. That said, within this category, there are multiple subcategories of workers who can apply for a green card. Employment-based green cards are mostly based on the experience, talents, and abilities of the applicants. In most cases, the foreign national needs to be sponsored by an employer for a position within the United States. The process of obtaining an employment-based green card can be complex and involves several steps and applications. In some cases, their spouses and children may qualify for a green card, as well.

The Process

The process for obtaining a green card can be complex and varies based on the category under which you’re applying. Each green card category has specific steps and procedures to follow. In general, you must determine your eligibility, then petition for your green card based on your eligibility. At Boppre Law Firm, we have knowledgeable, experienced counsel, who will guide you every step of the way. Check us out online or call us today.

If you have any questions about the process of obtaining a green card or would like assistance from one of our attorneys, please give us a call at the Boppre Law Firm!