Green Cards

A Path to Permanent Residence

A green card gives you the right to live and work in the United States permanently, and it is often the step before citizenship. There is more than one way to get there. The right path depends on your relationships, your work, and how you entered the country.

For many people, the path runs through a family member or an employer. For others, it runs through adjustment of status, which lets some people already in the country become permanent residents without leaving. Each path has its own requirements and its own timeline, and choosing the right one at the start saves time and avoids missteps later.

Common Paths to a Green Card

• Through a spouse or close family member.
• Through an employer who sponsors you.
• Adjustment of status from inside the country.
• Consular processing from abroad.
• Renewing or replacing an existing green card.
• Removing conditions on a two-year green card.

What to Watch For

Certain things in a person's history, such as a prior immigration issue, a gap in status, or a past record, can complicate a green-card case. They do not always stop it, but they need to be handled carefully and disclosed correctly. We review your history early so there are no surprises in the middle of the process, and so we can address any concern the right way.

After You Have It

Once you have a green card, the next milestone for many people is becoming a citizen. When you are ready, we can help with that too. See citizenship and naturalization.