• 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
• Family member of a lawful permanent resident, meaning you are the: 
  • 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

• 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 second preference immigrant worker, meaning you: 
  • 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
• Are a third preference immigrant worker, meaning you are: 
  • 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)

• 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).

• 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

• 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 Eligibility Categories

Determine if you are eligible for permanent resident status. Review the eligibility requirements needed before applying for your Green Card.

Adjustment of Status

Adjusting your status to a permanent resident is the process immigrants use to get a Green Card while in the United States. 

Consular Processing

Consular processing is the method immigrants use to get their Green Card when outside the United States or when ineligible to adjust status in the United States.

Concurrent Filing

When getting a Green Card through employment, family, or as a special immigrant, someone may need to file a petition for you. Concurrent filing is generally when the immigrant petition is filed at the same time you file your application to get a Green Card. Learn what concurrent filing is and what categories are eligible to concurrently file.

Visa Availability and Priority Dates

Travel Documents

Learn more about if and when you can travel outside the United States after applying for a Green Card or once you have a Green Card. You can also learn how to apply for advance parole, a Refugee Travel Document, and a re-entry permit.

Employment Authorization Document

Learn more about if you are eligible for work authorization in the United States and how to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

Immigration Medical Examinations

Affidavit of Support

An affidavit of support is a form that a sponsor files on your behalf when you are applying for a Green Card or immigrant visa. It is required for some (but not all) categories of immigrants before they can become a permanent resident of the United States. The purpose of the form is to show you have the financial means to live in the United States without needing welfare or financial benefits from the U.S. government.

Public Charge

To get a Green Card, most immigrants must show that they will not become a public charge. Learn more about public charge.

Child Status Protection Act

An adjustment of status applicant occasionally prefers to have their pending application considered under a different immigrant category. For more information about transferring, see the USCIS Policy Manual.

To transfer the basis of your pending adjustment of status application to a different eligibility category, you generally must submit a written request to the USCIS office with jurisdiction over the application.  USCIS has also established a new location that should be used for submitting transfer requests between employment-based categories.  See Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants, Transfer of Underlying Basis.