Green Card Eligibility Categories

To apply for a Green Card, you must be eligible under one of the categories listed below. Once you find the category that may fit your situation, click on the link provided to get information on eligibility requirements, how to apply, and whether your family members can also apply with you.

• Spouse of a U.S. citizen
• Unmarried child under the age of 21 of a U.S. citizen
• Parent of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old

• 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 older
  • Married son or daughter of a U.S. citizen
  • Brother or sister of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old
  • Spouse of a lawful permanent resident
  • Unmarried child under the age of 21 of a lawful permanent resident
  • Unmarried son or daughter of a lawful permanent resident 21 years old or older
  • 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)
  • Abused spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
  • Abused child (unmarried and under 21 years old) of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
  • Abused parent of a U.S. citizen
  Green Card through Employment
  • Are a first preference immigrant worker, meaning you:
    • Have extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics, or
    • Are an outstanding professor or researcher, or
    • Are a multinational manager or executive who meets certain criteria
    • Are a member of a profession that requires an advanced degree, or
    • Have exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business, or
    • Are seeking a national interest waiver
    • A skilled worker (meaning your job requires a minimum of 2 years training or work experience), or
    • A 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), or
    • An unskilled worker (meaning you will perform unskilled labor requiring less than 2 years training or experience)
    Green Card as a Special Immigrant
    • 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; or
    • Were an Afghan employed by the U.S. government or International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
    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
    • The abused spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
    • The abused child (unmarried and under 21 years old) of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
    • The abused parent of a U.S. citizen
    Green Card through Other Categories
    • Are a Liberian national who has been continuously physically present in the United States since Nov. 20, 2014, or
    • Are the spouse, child under age 21, or unmarried son or daughter over the age of 21 of a qualifying Liberian national.
    • Are a Cuban native or citizen, or
    • Are the spouse or child of a Cuban native or citizen
    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.