Green Card Eligibility Categories
In order to apply for a Green Card, you must be eligible under one of the categories listed below. Once you find the category that may fit your situation, click on the link provided to get information on eligibility requirements, how to apply, and whether your family members can also apply with you.
Green Card through Family
| You may be eligible to apply as a… | If you are the… |
|---|---|
| Immediate relative of a U.S. citizen |
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| Other relative of a U.S. citizen or relative of a lawful permanent resident under the family-based preference categories |
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| Fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen or the fiancé(e)’s child
|
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| Widow(er) of a U.S. citizen | Widow or widower of a U.S. citizen and you were married to your U.S. citizen spouse at the time your spouse died |
| Abused spouse, child, or parent
(VAWA self-petitioner – victim of battery or extreme cruelty) |
|
Green Card through Employment
| You may be eligible to apply as a… | If you… |
|---|---|
| Immigrant worker |
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| Physician National Interest Waiver | Are a physician who agrees to work full-time in clinical practice in a designated underserved area for a set period of time and also meets other eligibility requirements |
| Immigrant investor | Have invested or are actively in the process of investing at least $1 million (or $500,000 in a targeted employment area) in a new commercial enterprise in the U.S. which will create full-time positions for at least 10 qualifying employees |
Green Card as a Special Immigrant
| You may be eligible to apply as a… | If you… |
|---|---|
| Religious worker | Are a member of a religious denomination coming to the U.S. to work for a nonprofit religious organization |
| Special Immigrant Juvenile | Are a child who has been abused, abandoned, or neglected by your parent and you have SIJ status |
| Afghanistan or Iraq national |
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| International broadcaster | Are coming to work in the U.S. as a member of the media |
| Employee of an international organization or family member or NATO-6 employee or family member | Are a retired officer or employee of certain international organizations, or NATO, and certain family membersGo to the Green Card through Other Categories section for information on other eligibility categories for diplomats. |
Green Card through Refugee or Asylee Status
| You may be eligible to apply as a… | If you… |
|---|---|
| Asylee | Were granted asylum status at least 1 year ago |
| Refugee | Were admitted as a refugee at least 1 year ago |
Green Card for Human Trafficking and Crime Victims
| You may be eligible to apply as a… | If you… |
|---|---|
| Human trafficking victim | Currently have a T nonimmigrant visa |
| Crime victim | Currently have a U nonimmigrant visa |
Green Card for Victims of Abuse
| You may be eligible to apply as a… | If you are… |
|---|---|
| An abused spouse, child, or parent |
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| Special Immigrant Juvenile | Are a child who has been abused, abandoned, or neglected by your parent and you have SIJ status |
| An abused (victim of battery or extreme cruelty) spouse or child under the Cuban Adjustment Act | The abused spouse or child of a Cuban native or citizen |
| An abused (victim of battery or extreme cruelty) spouse or child under Haitian Refugee Immigrant Fairness Act (HRIFA) | The abused spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident who received his or her Green Card based on HRIFA |
Green Card through Other Categories
| You may be eligible to apply under this category… | If you… |
|---|---|
| Diversity Immigrant Visa Program | Were selected for a diversity visa in the Department of State’s diversity visa lottery |
| Cuban Adjustment Act |
|
| An abused (victim of battery or extreme cruelty) spouse or child under the Cuban Adjustment Act | Are the abused spouse or child of a Cuban native or citizen |
| Dependent status under the HRIFA | Are the spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident who received his or her Green Card based on the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (HRIFA) |
| An abused (victim of battery or extreme cruelty) spouse or child under HRIFA | Are the abused spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident who received his or her Green Card based on HRIFA |
| Lautenberg parolee | Were paroled into the U.S. as a Lautenberg parolee |
| Indochinese Parole Adjustment Act of 2000 | Are a native or citizen of Vietnam, Kampuchea (Cambodia), or Laos who was paroled into the U.S. on or before Oct. 1, 1997 from Vietnam under the Orderly Departure Program, a refugee camp in East Asia, or a displaced person camp administered by UNHCR in Thailand. |
| American Indian born in Canada | Have 50% or more of blood of the American Indian race and were born in Canada |
| Person born in the United States to a foreign diplomat | Were born in the United States to a foreign diplomatic officer who was stationed in the U.S. when you were born. |
| Section 13 (diplomat) | Were stationed in the United States as a foreign diplomat or high ranking official and are unable to return home |
Green Card through Registry
You may be eligible to register for a Green Card if you have resided continuously in the U.S. since before Jan. 1, 1972.
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