How to apply for a Green Card in 2024: Everything you must know

The Green Card is the most desired document for immigrants who want to become U.S. residents. It is officially known as a Permanent Resident Card and once obtained by applicants, they can apply for U.S. citizenship showing evidence that they have resided in the country for one to five years and are persons of “good moral character.” The process is made through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Here’s what to know about the process.

How to apply for a Green Card

The USCIS clarifies that the steps to apply for a Green Card can vary depending on the individual situation of the applicant. However, these are the steps that most will have to go through:

• Someone has to file an immigrant petition for the applicant. In some cases the applicant may be eligible to file for themselves.
• After USCIS approves the immigrant petition, the applicant has to file a Green Card application with USCIS or a visa application with the U.S. Department of State.
• The applicant then must go to a biometrics appointment to provide fingerprints, photos and a signature.
• The interview takes place.
• The applicant receives a decision on their application.

Eligibility

According to the USCIS, the eligibility requirements may vary depending on the immigrant category someone applies for. These are the different categories of Green Card. The USCIS website breaks down each category.

• Green Card through Family
• Green Card through Employment
• Green Card as a Special Immigrant
• Green Card through Refugee or Asylee Status
• Green Card for Human Trafficking and Crime Victims
• Green Card for Victims of Abuse
• Green Card through Other Categories
• Green Card through Registry

Forms

Most Green Card applicants will have to fill at least two forms, an immigrant petition (which is usually filed by a sponsor or “petitioner”) and the Green Card application (Form I-485). Depending on the applicant’s immigrant category, they will have to fill out other forms. These are the most common:

• Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
• Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
• Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition
• Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal
• Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant
• Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur
• Form I-918, Petition of U Nonimmigrant Status
• Form I-929, Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1 Nonimmigrant

Applying from inside or outside the U.S.

If the applicant is eligible for a Green Card, they must choose between adjustment of status or consular processing based on their location:

In the United States:

• If they have an approved immigrant petition and an immigrant visa is available, they have to file Form I-485 with USCIS.
• If they don’t have an approved immigrant petition, the next step is checking eligibility requirements for their Green Card category to see if they can file the petition and Form I-485 together (known as concurrent filing).

Outside the United States:

• Undergo consular processing with the U.S. Department of State (see following section).

Steps for consular processing

If the applicant has an approved immigrant petition and an immigrant visa number, they can apply at a U.S. Department of State consulate outside of the United States for an immigrant visa in order to enter the country and be admitted as a permanent resident.

• The applicant has to determine if they’re eligible to apply for a Green Card.
• They have to file the immigrant petition, which can be family-based, employment-based, part of a humanitarian program or from a special category.
• After filing, the applicant must wait for a decision on their petition and a notification from the National Visa Center. It will notify the beneficiary when their visa petition is received and when an immigrant visa number is about to become available.
• Once a visa is available, the consular office will schedule an interview for the applicant.
• The National Visa Center may contact the beneficiary in order to check their personal data.
• After the Visa is granted, the beneficiary can receive their Green Card.

How long does it take to get a Green Card?

The processing time for a Green Card may vary depending on the applicant’s immigrant category and the offices that process their case, and other factors like the applicant’s country of origin and any backlog in processing times. It could take from several months to several years.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAÍS USA Edition