Green Card and Permanent Residency

The family-based green card sponsorship process allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to reunite with their close relatives by sponsoring them for permanent residency. Eligible categories include immediate relatives such as spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens, as well as preference-based categories for other family members like adult children and siblings. This pathway provides qualifying relatives with a route to live and work permanently in the United States.

The K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa allows a U.S. citizen to bring their foreign national fiancé(e) to the United States for the purpose of marriage. Once issued, the visa permits entry to the United States for a 90-day period, during which the couple must legally marry. After marriage, the foreign spouse must apply for adjustment of status to obtain lawful permanent residency. Unlike other family-based visas, the K-1 is specifically designed for couples who are not yet married but intend to marry in the U.S., making it a practical option for couples who wish to begin their lives together stateside.

The EB-1 immigrant visa offers a direct path to U.S. Permanent Residency for exceptionally qualified foreign nationals, without requiring labor certification. This category is divided into three subgroups: EB-1A for individuals of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics; EB-1B for outstanding professors and researchers recognized internationally for their academic contributions; and EB-1C for multinational managers and executives transferring to the United States. The EB-1 visa is highly sought after for its relatively faster processing and the ability to bypass the lengthy PERM process.

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa, also known as the EB-5 green card, provides a direct path to U.S. permanent residency. Through this program, qualified investors and their families may live, work, and study anywhere in the United States.

Permanent residency is granted on the basis of a qualifying investment and the resulting job creation in the U.S. economy. Investors must contribute a minimum of $1,050,000 USD, or $800,000 USD if the enterprise is located in a designated Targeted Employment Area (TEA). Unlike other immigration categories, there are no education, language, or employer sponsorship requirements, making the EB-5 program an attractive option for individuals with the necessary financial resources.

In addition to the principal investor, a spouse and unmarried children under 21 may also obtain green cards under the same investment, with no need for additional contributions.

The EB-2 immigrant visa category provides a pathway to U.S. permanent residency for professionals holding advanced degrees, individuals with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business, and those whose work is considered to be in the national interest of the United States. Applicants may pursue the traditional employer-sponsored EB-2 route, which requires a permanent job offer and labor certification, or the National Interest Waiver (NIW) route, which allows for self-sponsorship when applicants can demonstrate that their work substantially benefits the nation. This versatile visa option is well-suited for highly skilled professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs, and innovators whose expertise aligns with U.S. needs.

The EB-3 visa category provides a pathway to U.S. permanent residency for foreign nationals who have a permanent, full-time job offer from a qualified U.S. employer. It includes three subcategories—skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers—and requires an approved labor certification from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The EB-3 is designed for individuals whose expertise, education, or training makes them valuable additions to the American workforce.