A Green Card holder (permanent resident) is someone who has been granted authorization to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis. As proof of that status, a person is granted a permanent resident card, commonly called a "Green Card." You can become a permanent resident several different ways. Most individuals are sponsored by a family member or employer in the United States. Other individuals may become permanent residents through refugee or asylee status or other humanitarian programs. In some cases, you may be eligible to file for yourself.

 

The steps to becoming a Green Card holder (permanent resident) vary by category and depend on whether you currently live inside or outside the United States. The main categories are:

 

• Through Family

• Through a Job/Employment Base

• Through Refugee or Asylee Status

 

Permanent Resdient Through Family Member

Many people get Green Cards (become permanent residents) through family members. You may be eligible to get a Green Card as:

 

• An immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, this includes spouses, unmarried children under the age of 21, and parents of U.S. citizen petitioners 21 or older

• A family member of a U.S. citizen fitting into a preference category, this includes unmarried sons or daughters over the age of 21, married children of any age, and brothers and sisters of U.S. citizen petitioners 21 or older

• A family member of a green card holder, this includes spouses and unmarried children of the sponsoring green card holder

• A member of a special category, this can include battered spouse or child (VAWA), a K, nonimmigrant, a person born to a foreign diplomat in the United States, a V, nonimmigrant or a widow(er) of a U.S. Citizen

 

Permanent Resdient Through Employment

 

Muchas personas se convierten en residentes permanentes a través de un puesto de trabajo u oferta de empleo. Algunas categorías requieren una certificación del Departamento de Trabajo de EE.UU. para demostrar que no hay suficientes trabajadores estadounidenses capaces, dispuestos, calificados y disponibles en el área geográfica donde el inmigrante se va a emplear, y que no hay trabajadores estadounidenses desplazados por extranjeros trabajadores. En otros casos, los trabajadores altamente cualificados, aquellos con habilidades extraordinarias en determinadas profesiones, y a los inversionistas / empresarios se les da prioridad de inmigrar a través de varias categorías de inmigrantes. En todos los casos, el proceso implica varios pasos.

 

Permanent Resdient Through Refugee or Asylee Status

Refugees and asylees can apply for a green card.

 

1. If you were admitted to the United States as a refugee or a qualifying family member of an asylee, then you may apply for permanent residence 1 year after your entry into the United States

2. If you were granted asylum in the United States, then you may apply for permanent residence 1 year after the grant of your asylum status

 

Note: As a refugee, you are required by law to apply for permanent resident status 1 year after being admitted to the United States. As an asylee, you are not required to apply for permanent resident status after being granted asylum for 1 year, although it may be in your best interest to do so.