As a follow-up to our video about visa categories that can lead to a Green Card, below is a list of Green Card Eligible Categories from U.S. Customs and Immigration Services.
Green Card Eligibility Categories
Green Card Eligibility Categories | USCIS
To apply for a Green Card, you must be eligible under one of the different categories listed below. Once you find types of immigration and the category that may fit your situation, click on the link provided to get information on eligibility requirements, different ways of 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 | Spouse of a U.S. citizenUnmarried child under the age of 21 of a U.S. citizenParent of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old |
| Other relative of a U.S. citizen or relative of a lawful permanent resident under the family-based preference categories | Family member of a U.S. citizen, meaning you are the: Unmarried son or daughter of a U.S. citizen and you are 21 years old or olderMarried son or daughter of a U.S. citizenBrother or sister of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years oldFamily member of a lawful permanent resident, meaning you are the: Spouse of a lawful permanent residentUnmarried child under the age of 21 of a lawful permanent residentUnmarried son or daughter of a lawful permanent resident 21 years old or older |
| Fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen or the fiancé(e)’s child | Person admitted to the U.S. as a fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen (K-1 nonimmigrant)Person admitted to the U.S. as the child of a fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen (K-2 nonimmigrant) |
| 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 |
| VAWA self-petitioner– victim of battery or extreme cruelty | Abused spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent residentAbused child (unmarried and under 21 years old) of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent residentAbused parent of a U.S. citizen |
Green Card through Employment
| You may be eligible to apply as a… | If you… |
| Immigrant worker | Are a first preference immigrant worker, meaning you: Have extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics, orAre an outstanding professor or researcher, orAre a multinational manager or executive who meets certain criteriaAre a second preference immigrant worker, meaning you: Are a member of a profession that requires an advanced degree, orHave exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business, orAre seeking a national interest waiverAre a third preference immigrant worker, meaning you are: A skilled worker (meaning your job requires a minimum of 2 years training or work experience), orA professional (meaning your job requires at least a U.S. bachelor’s degree or a foreign equivalent and you are a member of the profession), orAn unskilled worker (meaning you will perform unskilled labor requiring less than 2 years training or experience) |
| 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 $1,050,000 (or $800,000 in a targeted employment area or infrastructure project) 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 juvenile who needs the protection of a juvenile court because you have been abused, abandoned or neglected by a parent. |
| Afghanistan or Iraq national | Were an Afghan or Iraqi translator or interpreter for the U.S. government;Were an Iraqi employed by or for the U.S. government in Iraq on or after March 20, 2003, for at least one year; orWere an Afghan employed by the U.S. government or International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). |
| International broadcaster | Are coming to work in the U.S. as a member of the media for the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) or a USAGM grantee. |
| Employee of an international organization or family member or NATO-6 employee or family member | Are a retired officer or employee of an eligible international organization or NATO, or are an eligible family member of such an employee. |
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… |
| VAWA self-petitioner– victim of battery or extreme cruelty | The abused spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent residentThe abused child (unmarried and under 21 years old) of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent residentThe abused parent of a U.S. citizen |
| 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… |
| Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF) | Are a Liberian national who has been continuously physically present in the United States since Nov. 20, 2014, orAre the spouse, child under age 21, or unmarried son or daughter over the age of 21 of a qualifying Liberian national. |
| Diversity Immigrant Visa Program | Were selected for a diversity visa in the Department of State’s diversity visa lottery |
| Cuban Adjustment Act | Are a Cuban native or citizen, orAre the spouse or child of a Cuban native or citizen |
| 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 | Were born in Canada, possess at least 50% American Indian blood, and maintain your principal residence in the United States. |
| 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. For more Information you can visit other Blogs available on our website.
