To become a U.S. citizen, one must first obtain a U.S. green card. Many individuals hesitate to pursue citizenship due to patriotic feelings and other reasons, but when it comes to a green card, most people would not refuse it. With this green card, you can permanently reside in the United States and work legally, enjoying almost all the rights of U.S. citizens. Next, let us explore how to obtain a U.S. green card and what the available pathways are.
Obtaining a green card through family Many people obtain a green card through family, the most common way being marriage to a U.S. citizen or green card holder. U.S. citizens can apply for green cards for their spouses, parents, children, and siblings. Green card holders can apply for green cards for their spouses and children. The common ways to obtain a green card through family include:
• Marrying a U.S. citizen/green card holder
• Parents are U.S. citizens
• Parents hold U.S. green cards
• Citizens over 21 can apply for green cards for their parents
• Having a child born in the U.S., when the child turns 21, the parents can obtain green cards
• Being adopted by a U.S. citizen
• Being a sibling of an adult U.S. citizen, but this process has a very long waiting period, often over 10 years.
Employment-based green cards
Many people lament that for international students, obtaining a U.S. green card is even harder than marrying a U.S. citizen! Not necessarily, do not be so pessimistic. If you have the ability to find a suitable job and are fortunate enough to meet a kind employer, obtaining a green card is not that difficult.
• Outstanding talents can submit an EB1 green card application. This type of green card has high requirements; applicants must have made significant contributions in a specific field (such as science, education, arts, sports, business, etc.), published papers, received awards, and have a high level of recognition in their industry.
EB-1A:
EB-1A Outstanding Talent (Alien of Extraordinary Ability) is the first category under the first priority of employment-based immigration; applicants must demonstrate a certain level of professional ability and prove that they are among the few top individuals in their field.
EB-1B:
EB-1B refers to outstanding professors and researchers who are internationally recognized in a specific scientific or academic field. EB-1B applications require employer support and a permanent job offer. Typically, this job offer is provided by a university or similar academic or scientific research institution.
EB-1C: Requires that the beneficiary must have worked for at least one year in the overseas office of a U.S. employer (such as a parent company, subsidiary, or branch) within the past three years, and the applicant must be engaged in managerial or executive work for the U.S. company.
• EB2 and EB3 are two common types of employment-based green cards and are often the next goal for many individuals after obtaining an H1B visa. Both types of employment-based green cards require applications to be submitted by the employer, and the application procedures are the same.
EB2:
The second priority of employment-based immigration, applicants must hold a master's degree or higher, or a bachelor's degree with at least five years of continuous work experience in their field, or possess exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business.
There is a special category within EB2 that does not require employer support and can be applied for by individuals themselves, known as the "National Interest Waiver (NIW)" immigration application. Individuals who contribute to the United States are eligible to apply and must demonstrate that they will greatly benefit the national interest of the United States in the future.
EB3:
The third priority of employment-based immigration, which is the most common type of employment-based immigration. Applicants need to be professionals with a bachelor's degree or higher, or skilled workers with at least two years of training or work experience.
The third priority employment-based immigration EB-3 provides opportunities for all foreigners who can find an employer in the United States to immigrate. To obtain permanent residency through employment, three basic conditions must be met: 1. There must be a U.S. employer providing a job opportunity and sponsorship, and applying for a labor certification on behalf of the applicant. 2. The applicant must have received appropriate education and possess sufficient work experience to ensure they can perform the job offered by the employer. 3. There must not be a suitable U.S. worker willing or able to perform the job.
EB4:
Primarily applicable to special immigrants. The following special immigrants are eligible for the fourth priority visa: including religious workers, Iraqi/Afghan translators, individuals who assisted the U.S. in Iraq, employees of international organizations, physicians, members of the armed forces, employees of the Panama Canal Zone, retired employees of NATO, and spouses and children of deceased employees of NATO.
• To attract foreign investment, create job opportunities, and stimulate economic growth in the United States, the U.S. government established the fifth priority of employment-based immigration in 1990, also known as EB-5 investment immigration, encouraging foreign investors to obtain U.S. permanent residency through investment.
EB5: Investment immigration refers to establishing a business in a location in the United States with an investment amount of over $500,000 (the new investment immigration law stipulates a minimum of $800,000), and creating 10 jobs for U.S. citizens or green card holders to obtain an investment immigration green card. There are no restrictions on the applicant's background, age, degree, or language. The applicant's spouse and unmarried children under 21 can also obtain green cards simultaneously.