Get a U.S. Green Card

You apply for lawful permanent residence through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or, if you are outside the United States, through consular processing with the U.S. Department of State.

Your exact process depends on your immigrant category, such as EB-1 Employment-Based First Preference, EB-2 Employment-Based Second Preference, EB-3 Employment-Based Third Preference, EB-4 Special Immigrant Visa, EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa, or family-based categories like IR-1 visa Immigrant Visa (Spouse of U.S. Citizen), CR-1 Conditional Resident Visa (Spouse), IR-2 visa Immigrant Visa (Child of U.S. Citizen), and IR-5 visa Immigrant Visa (Parent of U.S. Citizen).

Step-by-Step Application Process

Confirm Your Eligibility Category

Identify the immigrant classification that fits your situation. Employment-based applicants typically rely on Form I-140 approval, while family-based applicants rely on Form I-130 approval. Special immigrants, including certain Afghan Special Immigrants with an approved Form I-360 or Form DS-157, may qualify to adjust status if no bars apply.

2. File for adjustment of status or Complete Consular Processing

If you are lawfully present in the United States, you may apply for adjustment of status by filing Form I-485 with USCIS. Adjustment of status allows you to become a permanent resident without leaving the country. If you are abroad, a consular officer through the U.S. Department of State will determine visa eligibility and issue your immigrant visa.

Maintain Continuous Lawful Status (If Required)

You must show proof of continuous legal status since your arrival in the United States, unless an exception applies. Certain applicants, such as those with a pending Form I-589 under eligibility category (c)(8), may qualify under specific rules.

Attend Biometrics Appointment

USCIS will schedule you for fingerprinting and photographs at an Application Support Center. Missing this appointment delays your case.

Attend an Interview if Scheduled

USCIS may require an in-person interview before approving your Form I-. For consular processing, you will attend a visa interview with a Department of State consular officer.

6. Monitor processing times and Case Status

Processing times vary by form and category. For example, as of January 2026, Form I-140 processing ranges from 5.5 to 20.5 months depending on classification, and certain Form I-485 categories range from 12 to 29 months.

Practical Filing Tips

• Use the current version of every form to avoid delays.
• Respond promptly to any USCIS notices.
• Use the Service Request Management Tool (SRMT) if you need to submit a case inquiry.
• Follow all tax and identification number requirements that apply to your status.

Accuracy and complete documentation determine how smoothly your case moves through the system.

You must file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, with all required initial evidence.

USCIS may reject or delay your case if you leave out required documents.

Before you file, confirm that an immigrant visa is immediately available to you and that you were inspected and admitted or inspected and paroled into the United States.

Core Forms and Identity Documents

Submit the following with your Form I-485:

• Government-issued photo ID
• Birth certificate
• Passport page with your nonimmigrant visa, if applicable
• Evidence of current immigration status
• Two passport-style photographs
• Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, if required
• All applicable filing fees

You must include the completed Form I-693 when required.

Failure to submit it can lead to rejection.

You will also attend a biometrics appointment for identity verification and background checks.

Proof of an Approved Immigrant Petition

Most applicants must show an approved immigrant petition before filing.

If you apply through employment—such as EB-1 visa, EB-2 visa, EB-3 visa, EB-4 visa, or EB-5 visa—include a copy of your Form I-140 approval notice or receipt notice.

If you apply through a family relationship—such as IR-1 visa, CR-1 visa, IR-2 visa, or IR-5 visa—submit evidence of the approved immigrant petition supporting your case.

Provide enough biographical details so USCIS can match your Form I-485 to the correct petition.

Responding to Issues or Errors

If USCIS requests additional evidence, respond by the deadline.

Late responses can result in denial.

If your green card contains a clear typographical error, you may submit a service request through USCIS instead of filing a new employment authorization form or paying another fee.

Include an explanation and supporting evidence when required.

The United States does not use a general points-based system for family or employment green cards.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) assigns you to a specific immigrant category, and visa availability depends on that category and your priority date.

Your priority date controls when you may move forward with Form I-485 if you are inside the United States.

Employment-Based Preference Categories

Employment-based cases fall into preference groups such as:

• EB-1 Employment-Based First Preference (priority workers, including individuals with extraordinary ability)
• EB-2 Employment-Based Second Preference
• EB-3 Employment-Based Third Preference
• EB-4 Special Immigrant Visa
• EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa

For some categories, your prospective employer must first obtain a labor certification from the U.S. Department of Labor before filing the immigrant petition.

After that, the employer files Form I-140 with USCIS.

If you apply under EB-5, you file Form I-526.

processing times for Forms I-140, I-485, and I-526 vary by category and service center.

You must also ensure that all submitted form pages match the correct edition date.

Missing or mixed edition pages can lead to rejection.

Family-Based Immediate Relatives

Immediate relative categories include:

• IR-1 visa Immigrant Visa (Spouse of U.S. Citizen)
• CR-1 Conditional Resident Visa (Spouse)
• IR-2 visa Immigrant Visa (Child of U.S. Citizen)
• IR-5 visa Immigrant Visa (Parent of U.S. Citizen)

These cases begin with Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative.

Processing times for Form I-130 vary by eligibility category and USCIS service center.

If you are outside the United States, you complete immigrant visa processing through the U.S. Department of State.

USCIS approves the petition, but the Department of State handles visa issuance.

Understanding Priority Dates and Visa Availability

Your priority date is tied to your immigrant petition.

You may only file Form I-485 when a visa is available for your category and priority date.

To determine this:

1. Confirm your immigrant category based on your approved petition (such as EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, or a family-based classification).

2. Review the Visa Bulletin filing charts and visa availability information published by USCIS and the U.S. Department of State.

3. Verify your physical presence in the United States before filing Form I-485 for adjustment of status.

4. File Form I-485 at the correct location listed in the form instructions once your priority date becomes current.

If you are not eligible to adjust status in the United States, you must complete consular processing abroad.

USCIS determines whether you qualify to adjust status, while the U.S. Department of State controls immigrant visa issuance overseas.

Once USCIS approves your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, you become a lawful permanent resident. Your Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) is proof of status and work authorization.

If your approval followed an employment-based petition such as EB-1 Employment-Based First Preference, EB-2 Employment-Based Second Preference, EB-3 Employment-Based Third Preference, EB-4 Special Immigrant Visa, or EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa, you’re expected to honor the intent of that petition. The job offer underlying Form I-140 must still exist, or you should plan to work in the same field if you self-petitioned.

For those who immigrated through a family category like IR-1 visa, CR-1 visa, IR-2 visa, or IR-5 visa, your permanent resident status isn’t tied to a specific employer.

Employment Authorization and Work Requirements

Your Green Card is your proof of employment authorization. There’s no need to file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, once you have Form I-551.

Employers are required to verify every employee’s authorization to work in the United States. Present your Green Card as evidence.

If USCIS issues your card with an error, you’ll need to:

• Explain the error clearly.
• Provide the correct information.
• Return the incorrect card using the United States Postal Service (USPS).

Tax Responsibilities

Permanent residents have to comply with U.S. tax laws. Your filing obligations depend on your tax residency status for the year.

You need to file a tax return if:

• You’re engaged in a trade or business in the United States.
• You have U.S.-source income.
• You want to claim a refund, deductions, or credits.

If you’re a nonresident alien at the end of the tax year and your spouse is a resident alien, your spouse can elect to treat you as a resident for tax purposes. You may then file Form 1040 as Married Filing Jointly.

U.S.-source income that’s fixed or periodic might be taxed at a 30% rate, unless a lower treaty rate applies. IRS guidance on resident and nonresident alien taxation can help determine your correct status.

Maintaining Eligibility and Records

You should keep copies of:

• Your approved immigrant petition (such as Form I-140 or Form I-130).
• Your Form I-485 receipt and approval notice.
• Evidence that the qualifying job offer remains valid, if applicable.

If you adjusted status inside the United States, you must have been inspected and admitted or paroled at entry. USCIS may review your immigration history in future filings.

Always check current timelines from USCIS before filing additional petitions for relatives. processing times shift, especially for family-based categories.

You work for a qualifying employer that files an immigrant petition under EB-2 Employment-Based Second Preference. You also qualify to submit Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, together with Form I-140, when allowed.

You review every page before filing. You sign each form, since USCIS will reject any unsigned application.

USCIS receives your package and begins adjudication of the benefit request. The agency controls the petition and adjustment process, while the U.S. Department of State handles visa issuance abroad and U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines admission at a port of entry.

You monitor updates directly through USCIS and follow any official instructions for your category, whether EB-1 visa, EB-2, or EB-3 visa.

Scenario: Spouse of a U.S. Citizen Applying from Abroad

You’re married to a U.S. citizen and qualify for either the IR-1 visa Immigrant Visa (Spouse of U.S. Citizen) or the CR-1 Conditional Resident Visa (Spouse), depending on your circumstances.

Your U.S. citizen spouse files the required immigrant petition with USCIS. After approval, the U.S. Department of State manages visa processing and interview scheduling.

You prepare for consular processing and follow official guidance from the Department of State. USCIS does not control visa interview scheduling or passport mailing times.

If you enter the United States with an approved immigrant visa, U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines your admission at the port of entry.

Scenario: Special Immigrant and Family-Based Cases

You qualify under a special category, such as the EB-4 Special Immigrant Visa, which includes certain special immigrant classifications. USCIS adjudicates Special Immigrant Visa petitions, including specific cases filed by Afghans.

You submit the required petition and monitor USCIS case updates. You make sure your forms are complete and signed to avoid rejection.

In another example, you are the parent or child of a U.S. citizen and pursue classification under IR-2 visa Immigrant Visa (Child of U.S. Citizen) or IR-5 visa Immigrant Visa (Parent of U.S. Citizen). USCIS handles the petition stage.

If you’re unsure whether you meet resident requirements, you check if you pass the green card test or the substantial presence test. If not, you remain classified as a nonresident alien for tax purposes.

In investment-based cases like the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa, or employment categories such as EB-1, EB-2, or EB-3, the process always starts with proper filing and careful compliance with USCIS requirements.