This document outlines various ways to obtain a green card or permanent resident status in the United States, including through family, employment, refugee or asylee status, and other special categories. A green card holder is authorized to live and work permanently in the US. Key pathways include immediate family members of US citizens, family preference categories for extended family, employment sponsorship, investors, and refugees or asylees who lived in the US for at least one year. Each green card category has its own application processes and requirements. Legal advice is recommended.

1. “Green Card”:
Permanent Residence

2. Ways to get a Green Card
There are several ways to obtain a green card:
• Through family,
• Through a Job,
• Through Refugee or Asylee Status
• Other Ways to Get a Green Card

3. What is a Green Card Holder?
A Green Card holder is someone who has
been granted authorization to live and
work in the United States on a permanent
basis. You can become a permanent
resident several different ways.

4. Green Card Through Family
You may be eligible as:
• an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen,
• a family member of a U.S. citizen
• a family member of a green card holder
• a member of a special category
••

5. Immediate Relative
To promote family unity, immigration allows U.S.
citizens to petition for relatives to come and live in
the U.S. Eligible immediate relatives include:
• Spouse
• Unmarried children under the age of 21
• Parents

6. Family Member of a U.S. Citizen
If your relationship does not qualify you as an
immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, you could use
“family preference categories.” which are:
• Unmarried sons or daughters over the age of 21
• Married child(ren) of any age
• Brothers and sisters

7. These are limited to individuals who meet
particular qualifications and/or apply during certain
time frames. Examples are:
• Battered Spouse or Child
• K Nonimmigrant
• Person Born to a Foreign Diplomat in the United States
• V Nonimmigrant
• Widow(er) of a U.S. Citizen
Green Card Through Special
Categories of Family

8. Family Member of a Permanent
Resident
A permanent resident may petition for:
• His/her spouse
• Unmarried son/daughter of any age

9. Green Card Through a Job
• Through a Job Offer
Based on an offer of permanent employment in the U.S.
• Through Investment
Available to investors/entrepreneurs who are making an
investment in an enterprise that creates new U.S. jobs.
• Through Self Petition
Some immigrant categories allow you to file for yourself,
available for either “Aliens of Extraordinary Ability” or
certain individuals granted a National Interest Waiver.

10. There are a number of specialized jobs that may
allow you to get a green card based on a past or
current job such as:
• Broadcaster,
• International Organization Employee,
• NATO-6 Nonimmigrant,
• Religious Worker, or
• Afghan/Iraqi Translator
Green Card through special
categories of jobs

11. Green Card Through Refugee or
Asylee Status
• If you were admitted to the United States as a
refugee or a qualifying family member of an
asylee or if you were granted asylum in the
United States you may apply for permanent
residence 1 year after you entered.

12. Other Ways to Get a Green Card
• The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program or
“Green Card lottery”
• Victims of Human Trafficking
• Victim of Criminal Activity
• Haitian Refugee
• And more

13. Green Card Processes
Each Green Card category will have
specific steps and procedures to follow.
You can apply either while in the United
States, known as “adjustment of status”,
or while outside the United States, known
as “consular processing”.

14. “For legal advice on
immigration issues, make
sure that the person you
visit is legally authorized
to give such advice.
Protect yourself and your
family members from
“Notarios” and
”immigration consultant”
fraud. Always consult an
attorney specializing in
immigration law...”

15. The Law Office of Kravitz & Guerra
For legal advice and more information,
please contact us:
800 Brickell Avenue, Suite #701
Miami, FL 33131
Phone (+1) 305-372-0222
Fax (+1) 305-372-0400
Email: attorney@kravitzlaw.com
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