In a Nutshell
Your green card interview will take place at a USCIS field office or U.S. consulate or embassy closest to you, depending on whether you applied from inside or outside the U.S. The interviewing officer will ask you questions about what you put on your application and whether anything has changed between the time you filed and your interview date. This article explains what you need to know about the interview process and how to prepare for it.
What is a green card interview, and when does it happen?
A Green Card interview is the U.S. government’s way of meeting the Green Card applicant in person to verify that the applicant is eligible to become a permanent resident and that all of the information on their application is valid. This interview is usually the final step of the Green Card application and normally happens 7 to 15 months after filing.
Who needs to go to a Green Card interview?
The Green Card interview will be held at a local USCIS office or at the U.S. embassy or consulate closest to the address you listed on your application. Whoever’s name is listed on the interview appointment notice must attend the interview.
In some family-based Green Card applications, both the petitioner(sponsor) and the beneficiary(applicant) must appear for the interview, unless they both live in different countries. This is usually the case for marriage-base applications, because the government will use the interview to determine if your marriage is authentic and needs to speak with both of you to do so.
If you live in the U.S. and are filing for a Family Green Card for your parent, child, spouse, or sibling who lives outside the U.S., you do not need to accompany them to their Green Card interview.
For employment-based Green Cards, only employees must attend the interview.
Sometimes, depending on your immigration situation, you may not be required to attend a Green Card interview at all. Asylees, for instance, may not need to have a Green Card interview. The U.S. government will let you know if you need to attend an interview.
Who can you bring to your Green Card interview?
If you are not fluent in English and will need help to understand what is happening at your interview, you can bring an interpreter with you to your Green Card interview. According to interview guidelines, the interpreter must strictly translate what the interviewing officer asks, without adding their own opinion, commentary, or answer to their translation. The interpreter must bring their government-issued I.D.and complete an interpreter’s oath and privacy statement at the interview. If the USCIS officer is fluent in your language, they may choose to interview you in that language, and you may not need an interpreter after all.
Can you bring a lawyer?
Yes, you can bring a lawyer with you to your Green Card interview if you would like. If you have some criminal or immigration issues on your record, it may be a good idea to attend your interview with a lawyer so that they can help you explain these issues. Your lawyer must complete and submit Form G-28, Notice of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative so they can go with you to the interview. Check out usa.gov for free or low-cost immigration lawyers.
Can you bring friends or family members who are not part of your application?
In most cases, the only people who should attend the Green Card interview are those whose names are listed on the interview appointment notice that USCIS or NVC sent, interpreters, and lawyers. If you have a disability, you may attend the interview with a legal guardian or friend. Call the USCIS office or U.S. embassy or consulate where you will be interviewing ahead of time to make these preparations.
Will you be able to interview with your spouse?
If you apply for a marriage-based Green Card, both you and your spouse must attend the interview. The interview process can go a couple of different ways when you and your spouse arrive. You may be interviewed together by the same interviewer at the same time. You may also be interviewed separately, either by the same interviewer but at different times, or by a different interviewing officer at the same time or different times
What should you bring to your Green Card interview?
There are some documents that you must bring to your Green Card interview, and others that would be helpful to have with you, depending on your case type. This section outlines the documents you’ll need in two separate checklists: one for interviews inside the U.S. and one for interviews at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the U.S.
If you are applying from inside of the U. through Adjustment of Status
In addition to the required documents above, it’s a good idea to bring a few other supporting documents whether you’re playing inside the U.S. or from abroad. At the interview, the USCIS officer or Embassy official will ask if you have had any life changes that may have affected your application and may have caused an answer on your application to change since you applied. They are looking for things like a change of employer, change of address, birth of a new child, etc. It’s a good idea to bring documents that reflect these changes with you to the interview. You should speak with an immigration lawyer or law firm before your interview if you have had any run-ins with the law or with U.S. immigration officials since you applied, as these could cause the interviewing officer to deny your application.
What questions will the interviewing officer ask at your Green Card interview?
Your interviewer will either be a USCIS immigration officer (if your interview is in the United States) or a consular officer (if your interview is outside the United States), who is specifically-trained for your application type. For all application types, the goal of the interview questions is to make sure that the information that you provided on your application is consistent with your answers at the interview.
The interviewing officer will also have a secondary objective that will be different for each application type. If you are applying for a Marriage Green Card, your interviewer will ask questions to make sure that your marriage is the real deal and not just an attempt to get a Green Card. For other family-based Green Cards, the interviewer will ask questions to confirm that you are related to your sponsor in the way that you claim. For humanitarian Green Cards like those issued under VAWA or Asylum laws, the interviewer will ask questions to make sure that you actually need a Green Card to get the safety and protection that you are asking for in your application. In all cases, your interviewer wants to know if you are truly eligible for the Green Card you are applying for and will ask you questions to that end.
You should be ready for questions that can get very personal. The interviewing officer may dig into the circumstances surrounding your entry into the U.S., your previous immigration history, and any past arrests. You should be as honest as possible. If the interviewer asks you a question that you don’t know the answer to, it is better to admit that you don’t know the answer than to make something up.
Here are some sample Green Card interview questions to give you a sense of what you can expect:
Questions about you
The Green Card interview is a big deal, and so you should arrive for your interview well prepared. That is true for anyone who must attend the interview. If you are interviewing for a marriage green card, for example, you and your spouse should prepare for the interview together. This is so you don’t contradict each other in your responses and make the interviewer suspicious that your relationship isn’t legitimate.
The Green Card interview may feel intimidating, but with a little practice, you will be able to ace yours! Here are a few tips to help you prepare.
Getting ready for the interview
When preparing for your interview, you should assemble copies of the forms and original documents that you included in your application, as well as any documents you need to show changes since you applied.
If you are applying for a Family Green Card, gather everything you need to prove your relationship with your sponsor is real and legitimate. Include any marriage certificates, birth certificates, joint bank account statements, holiday itineraries, phone records between you and your spouse, wedding photos, proposal photos, etc.
If you’re applying for a humanitarian green card, bring any documents that help prove that you need protection and safety in the US. In all cases.
In general. the more documents you bring to prove that your claim to a Green Card is legitimate, the better.
It’s a good idea to arrange your forms, photos, and documents in chronological order for your easy reference during the interview. You could arrange any photos in a photo album, and any other documents in a folder – whichever works best for you in terms of organization. The more organized you are, the easier it will be for you to answer the interviewing officer’s questions in a way that supports your case.
During the interview
The biggest tip to take with you to the interview is to be open and honest with the interviewing officer. Answer each question the officer asks you truthfully and completely, no half-truths. Your goal is to present yourself as honestly as possible. You need to be open about any mistakes, struggles, or difficulties you’ve faced in your life and relationships, even if it is uncomfortable or you are worried that honesty will hurt your application. Dishonesty will hurt it even more and may ruin your chances of living in the U.S.
Be prepared for some very personal questions. If you’re applying for a Marriage Green Card, for example, the interviewing officer is trying to get a sense of what your relationship with your spouse is like. That may lead to some uncomfortable questions. The office may ask you about your reproductive health, the contraceptives you use, or a tattoo that your spouse.
If you find that a question is too intrusive, you can let the interviewing officer know. It is okay to speak your mind because that shows the officer that you are being honest. They may still require you to answer the question, but at least they will know that you are trying to work with them.
No matter what, though, you should answer their questions honestly. If things get awkward, remember your goal, take a deep breath, and tell the truth!
The Green Card interview is your time to shine, and we can help you get there with a rock-solid application.
What happens after your Green Card interview?
Five different things could happen after your Green Card adjustment of status interview:
The government approves your application
If the interview goes well, the U.S. government will approve your Green Card case. In many cases, the interviewing officer will let you know that your case is approved at your interview! You can expect to receive your Green Card in the mail some 2 to 3 weeks after your case is approved.
The government asks you to come back for another interview
The government may decide to invite you for a second interview if they believe there’s more to verify in your background or your relationship with your spouse or family member. If that happens, you will receive a new appointment notice from USCIS or your local U.S. embassy or consulate in the mail.
The government asks you for more information
Instead of a second interview, the U.S. government may send you a Request for Evidence (RFE). An RFE asks you to provide additional information so that the government can make a final decision on your case. If you receive an RFE, it will tell you what you need to submit, and by what date. Some common things that the government will request are additional supporting documents like proof that your family relationship is authentic, birth certificates, criminal records, and financial statements. It is very important that you submit everything the RFE asks for before the due date. If you don’t, the government will probably deny your application.
The government takes some time to review your application in more detail
The interviewing officer may let you know that they need to review your application further, and so you will not be receiving a final decision just yet. If that happens, the government will notify you of additional steps for your application, or their final decision, by mail within a few weeks.
The government denies your application
If the interviewing officer determines that you are no longer eligible for a Green Card, they will often allow you to provide extra information to make your case at a later date. However, they may also deny your application on the spot.
If they deny your application you may have a chance to appeal their decision. But it’s not a good idea to file an appeal on your own if you can avoid it. You can find a skilled immigration lawyer to guide you through the appeal process at USA.gov. Many can even help at low or no cost depending on your ability to pay!
The best way to be ready for your Green Card interview is to prepare well ahead of time. If your interview is in the U.S., review USCIS’s interview guidelines. If your interview is at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the U.S, review the NVC’s interview guidelines.
If you want to live and work in the USA, applying for a Green Card is essential. Find possible ways to get the desired US immigrant visa, including the Green Card Lottery.
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Green Card through the Green Card Lottery
The US government draws 55,000 Green Cards annually through the Diversity Visa Program. Due to the high requirements in other Green Card categories such as employment-based, family, marriage, and investment Green Cards, the path through the Green Card Lottery is, for most people, not only the easiest but often the only way to a life in the USA.
All you have to do to get the coveted residence permit for the USA is to register for the annual lottery. The USA experts of The American Dream accompany your application and immigration process as the world’s largest Green Card agency with comprehensive services, especially for the Green Card Lottery.
Green Card DoubleChance for married couples
Our tip for your Green Card application: Take advantage of the DoubleChance for married couples! Spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 will automatically receive a Green Card if they are included in your application – without having to wait! This also applies to same-sex spouses.
Green Card through the job or investment
There are several US work visas available to you for taking up employment in the United States. Factors such as qualification, citizenship, duration of the planned stay, company affiliation, or company constellation are decisive.
Green Card through the family or marriage
Family reunification is one of the most common reasons for immigrating to the United States. In addition to close relatives of US citizens and Green Card holders, spouses of US citizens are also entitled to a Green Card. The respective procedures are subject to severe restrictions and differ in terms of widely varying waiting periods until the Green Card can be obtained.
Relatives/spouses of US Green Card holders
You can look up the waiting periods for different dependents in the Visa Bulletin, which explains and abbreviates the different immigrant categories, for example:
“Family-Sponsored” waiting periods in the Visa Bulletin
A visa is immediately available to applicants if a “C” for “current” is listed in the applicable “Preference Category.” Nevertheless, the waiting time for approval may be about 1 year or more, depending on the workload of the authorities after that.
The US immigration process for family reunion or the Green Card through marriage proceeds in several stages:
The easiest way to get a Green Card
Given the high requirements and difficult application process for Green Cards by family, job, or investment, the straightforward Green Card Lottery proves to be the easiest path to a permanent life in the United States.
Take your chance today and enroll in the US government’s annual Green Card Lottery! Applying only takes a few minutes, and the chances of winning are tremendous.
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Almost everyone can participate in the Green Card Lottery. There are, however, two criteria that every participant must meet: Country of birth and level of education. You must have proof of these two requirements at the time you win the lottery. Do you qualify to enter the Green Card Lottery?
Is my country of birth important for the Green Card Lottery?
Your country of birth plays an important role in the Green Card Lottery because some countries are not allowed to participate. Countries that are excluded usually have an already high rate of immigration to the USA.
Every country which has received more than 50,000 U.S. Green Cards through other legal immigration paths, such as family- or work-based visas over the last five years, are automatically excluded from the lottery.
Unfortunately, if you were born in a country that is not currently eligible for the Green Card Lottery, you have no chance of winning a Green Card.
The list of excluded countries, therefore, can change from year to year. It is worth the time to check the list of excluded countries regularly to see if new counties have been added or taken off the list.
Please take note that your nationality plays no role in the Green Card Lottery. Only your country of birth according to current borders is important in deciding if you can participate in the drawing.
Exceptions for people born in an excluded country
There are, however, exceptions! People born in an excluded country can still apply to the Green Card Lottery under certain conditions. They are when:
List of excluded countries
Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (including Hong Kong SAR), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except for Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, Venezuela and Vietnam.
Persons born in Macau SAR and Taiwan are eligible.
The countries that are allowed to participate in the Green Card Lottery change regularly.
What education or work requirements must I meet?
People who do not fulfill the above requirements cannot, unfortunately, apply for the lottery. If you have doubts, The American Dream is here to assist and advise you.
If it is not possible for you to participate in the Green Card Lottery, you can still travel to the USA with an ESTA or apply for a US visa for longer trips across America.
Is there an age requirement for the Green Card Lottery?
Principally, there is no age requirement to apply to the lottery, but be aware that effectively people under the age of 16 cannot fill the education requirements.
What information is asked for in the application?
Registering for the Green Card Lottery takes place online and is non-binding.
In the application form, you must give personal details like your first and last name, date of birth, country, and city of birth, level of education, as well as a digital photo. This information is also required for each member of your family, with the exception of their passport details.
Language skills
Many USA fans ask us about how good their English skills must be to apply for the Green Card Lottery. Principally, participants must not prove any special language skills. Many of our winners have quite the story to tell! Without speaking a word of English, many people have participated in the lottery, won, and successfully emigrated to the USA! We still recommend that you attend English courses at a language school so that you are best prepared when you win the lottery.
Proof of finances
Furthermore, applicants must not provide proof of their finances at the time that they apply for the Green Card Lottery. This information will first be requested once the Green Card has been won.
You will find detailed guidance on how to fill out your Green Card Lottery application in this article. All fields in the application form are mandatory and must be completed. You can complete some details, such as information about your spouse and children, at a later date.
Your characteristics
In the first step, you have to enter your name and email address to create an account. You can also enter diacritics and special characters like Ø, Å, ü, and ß. Our system will adjust everything for you automatically.
Then accept the terms and conditions as well as our privacy policy and click on “Register.” Your account is now created, and you will be taken to the next screen.
Personal and address data
Biographical data, photo
On the third screen (you are still in “Step 1” of the participation process, though), you will be asked for your biographical information. These are:
Note: Some countries, unfortunately, are excluded from participation in the Green Card Lottery by the US authorities. However, there is still a chance to participate if:
In this case, please enter the country of birth of your spouse or parent as a native country.
You can apply for the Green Card if you have at least a high school diploma (or higher), defined as successful completion of a 12-year course of formal elementary and secondary education.
Alternatively, it is also sufficient to show that you have worked for at least two years (within the last five years) in a profession that usually requires completed vocational training. Thus, indicating a lower level of education does not automatically disqualify you from participation.
IMPORTANT: You will not be required to prove your education degree until you win and may schedule your Green Card interview at the US Consulate.
Marital status
If you are married, you must also provide your spouse’s identification information. You can do this right away or add it to your account later.
Your spouse in the Green Card Lottery application
If you are separated but still officially married at the time of application, you must select “married” at this point.
However, it is up to you to decide whether or not to include your spouse in the Green Card application process in the event of winning.
You can choose to provide the photo and data of your spouse and children (if any) immediately, or and add them later in your customer account.
Same-sex spouses in the Green Card application
Married partners of the same sex must be indicated in the Green Card Lottery application if the marriage is recognized under US law. A marriage recognized by the US government is now possible in most European countries, for example, in Germany, Denmark, or France.
Registered domestic partnerships are not recognized as marriages in the DV Lottery. However, if you win, you can still marry your registered partner so that he or she also receives a Green Card.
Doubled Green Card chances for married couples
Since the spouse of a winner also receives a Green Card, married couples can double their winning chances. All you need to do is register both spouses with the Green Card Lottery. After providing your spouse’s details, you will be able to register your spouse simultaneously in the next step under the tariff overview.
Children under 21
To participate in the Green Card Lottery, you must declare all unmarried children under the age of 21. This includes:
Children in the Green Card Lottery application
You must also list the children of your spouse for whom you do not have custody. That is because the US government needs a complete overview of all persons who, in theory, would also be entitled to a Green Card after you win.
But: You still can decide which of the listed children you want to include in your Green Card application process in case of winning.
You can either provide this information immediately or add it to your account at a later date, but no later than October 15th, 2023.
Please note: If you leave out any children, you may be disqualified from the Green Card Lottery. Make sure to list all children in your application even if you do not have any contact with them.
Photo for the Green Card Lottery
With the help of our Green Card Lottery photo tool, you can enlarge, reduce or rotate your images to fit the correct size ratio.
The handy photo tool from The American Dream does a lot of the work for you.
Familiy data
If you indicated that you are married and have at least one child in step 1, you will now be asked to enter your family data.
You can decide whether you want to enter this data immediately or at a later date. Your application, including all data, must be completed by October 15th, 2023 at the latest.
Select your tariff
Services and tariffs of the Green Card Lottery
In the fourth step of the Green Card process, you will find an overview of our three tariffs – Basic, Smart, or VIP – as well as the associated services and prices. Choose the package of services that suits you best.
Green Card Lottery discount code
If you have a valid discount code, you can enter it here. The amount will automatically be deducted from the total cost.
If you do not have a discount code, leave the field blank
Green Card Lottery cost overview
At the bottom of the page, you will see the amount to be paid in total. You will also find our current seasonal discount in the listing, as well as the discount code you used, if applicable.
Payment methods
Finalization of the Green Card Lottery application
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What happens after the Green Card application?
After your Green Card application, you will receive a confirmation with your customer number via email.
We carefully check all your data and will contact you in case of any uncertainties.
If all data is correct, you will receive your official participation confirmation within the next two weeks.
We will transmit your data to the US authorities in due form and time. After the official drawing, we will inform you about the outcome of the lottery.
Of course, we will also support you on your way to your Green Card after you have won.
The marriage green card process is long, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. Knowing the types of questions to anticipate in your application will help you feel more confident before you even begin the process.
Please note that this guide is not an exhaustive list of questions that appear on every immigration form. It is intended only to familiarize you with the various types of information the U.S. government uses to evaluate a green card application.
Make sure to also check out our detailed guides to documents required for a marriage-based green card and questions asked during the final green card interview.
Start planning your immigration journey today with Boundless.
Throughout the application process, each spouse will complete different forms, but many of the questions will be the same for both spouses. You’ll want to make sure that your answers are consistent for questions appearing on multiple forms.
Although some questions, such as those about your physical attributes, might seem irrelevant, it’s important that you provide complete answers to help the U.S. government verify your identity and avoid processing delays.
BASIC PERSONAL INFORMATION
USCIS will check for criminal records for both the sponsoring spouse (U.S. citizen or current green card holder) and the spouse seeking a green card. Certain criminal convictions can lead to disqualification of a sponsoring spouse or denial of a green card.
Questions About the Sponsoring Spouse Only
Boundless helps you build a tailored visa plan for every step of the process, from forms to your immigration interview. Get started today!
Questions About the Green Card Applicant Only
The questions in this section are relevant only to the spouse seeking a green card and appear across several different immigration forms. The questions vary based on whether the spouse is living the United States or abroad.
Questions for all green card applicants
The questions asked in this portion of the green card application are too numerous to list in this guide. Briefly, this section asks about your involvement in any organizations or groups that the U.S. government may or may not deem threats to national security. It further asks if you have ever engaged, or plan to engage, in any type of illegal activity (such as human trafficking, money laundering, prostitution, and terrorism). Other questions include those related to your personal conduct, previous acceptance of public assistance benefits, and previous illegal entry to the United States, if applicable.
Questions just for green card applicants living in the United States
The spouse seeking a green card is required to take a medical exam in order to make sure that they do not have any conditions that could pose a threat to people in the United States.
What is a green card?
A green card allows a non-U.S. citizen to gain permanent residence in the United States. A green card is also sometimes referred to as a permanent resident card. Many people from outside the United States want a green card because it would grant them permanent resident status, which would allow them to live and work (lawfully) anywhere in the United States and qualify for U.S. citizenship after three or five years. Boundless has helped more than 100,000 people reach their immigration goals. We’ll be your visa planning partner from beginning to end. Get started today!
In this guide, we’ll cover:
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The green card application process will differ depending on if you are applying from within or outside the United States.
There are two main green card application forms:
Green card application (from within the US): Form I-485 (Application to Adjust Status). This form is used by those who are already in the U.S. on a nonimmigrant visa, have been selected for a diversity visa, or are eligible through family or employment.
Green card application (from outside the US): Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Electronic Application). This form is used by those who are seeking an immigrant visa from abroad, either through family, employer sponsorship or through the diversity visa program.
Not sure which visa is right for you? Take our free assessment to get a customized plan.
Green Card Timeline
The processing time for a permanent resident card is anywhere from a few months to many years, depending on the type of green card you’re applying for and where you’re applying from.
Applying from within the United States
For spouses and immediate relatives (parents and minor children) of U.S. citizens applying from within the United States through adjustment of status, the wait is currently 12.5-22.5 months. For spouses of U.S. green card holders, other relatives of U.S. citizens, and employment-based green cards, the wait can be much longer, typically two years or more.
Applying from outside the united states
For spouses and immediate relatives (parents and minor children) of U.S. citizens applying from outside the United States via consular processing, the wait is currently 13.5-15.5 months. All other green card categories are subject to country caps, and wait times vary dramatically.
For spouses of U.S. green card holders applying from outside the United States, the wait is currently – months.
Green Card Costs
For other green card categories, check the USCIS website for the cost of your particular form.
Proposed Green Card Cost Increase 2023
The government filing fees for a green card could increase significantly in 2023 if a proposal by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is approved. Earlier this year, the agency announced plans to raise the application costs for most visa application types, including forms I-130 and I-485. In addition, those adjusting their status to a marriage green card will have to pay fees on those applications as well. All told, the cost Adjustment of Status process (with work and travel) could increase by 90% this year, while the spousal visa process will be less impacted. The proposed fees are not yet in effect.
Check out our USCIS fees guide for a full breakdown of the expected costs as well as updates on the government’s proposal.
Different Types of Green Cards
There are many categories of green cards. The most common types are:
How to Get a Green Card
The process for getting a green card depends on which type you are applying for. Each of these is covered in detail below, starting with how to get a family-based green card.
Family-Based Green Card
IMPORTANT UPDATE (March 24, 2023):
The April 2023 Visa Bulletin saw a notable shift in the F-2A family-based category (Spouses and Unmarried Children (Under Age 21) of U.S. Green Card Holders). The “Final Action Dates” for these applications have stopped being “current” due to an increase in backlogs in the category. “Final Action Dates” refer to applications whose priority dates have reached the front of the line and can now be processed. However, these cases will NOT be adjudicated until the priority date is current. For Mexican applicants, the “Final Action Date” (or priority date) has retrogressed to November 1, 2018 and for all other applicants, the “Final Action Date” has retrogressed to September 8, 2020. This development is likely to lead to longer wait times for green cards under the F-2A category. Boundless will be paying close attention — check out our monthly Visa Bulletin report for future updates.
Close relatives of U.S. citizens and current green card holders may apply for family-based green cards of their own. Eligible family members include spouses, children, parents, and siblings (as well as the spouses and children of those spouses, adult children, and siblings).
Also included in this category are widows and widowers who were married to a U.S. citizen at the time the citizen died. Like spouses of living U.S. citizens and current green card holders who apply for a marriage-based green card, widows and widowers must prove that their marriage was authentic in order to receive a green card.
Many extended family members — cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents — do not qualify. They may apply for a permanent resident card only if they, too, have a closer relative who is a U.S. citizen or current green card holder (or qualify for one of the other types of green cards below).
Employment-Based Green Card
Within the employment-based green card category, multiple subcategories of workers can apply for a permanent resident card. In some cases, their spouses and children may qualify for a green card, as well.
*Extraordinary ability is demonstrated “through sustained national or international acclaim. Your achievements must be recognized in your field through extensive documentation,” according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). **Exceptional ability refers to “a degree of expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered” in your field.
Humanitarian Green Cards
People who fear, or have experienced, persecution in their home country — because of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group — can seek protection in the United States by applying for a visa from abroad (to come as refugees) or from within the United States (to remain as asylees).
Once they have physically lived in the United States for at least one year since receiving refugee status or asylum, they may apply for a permanent resident card. Children and spouses (and in some cases, other family members) of refugees and asylees may also seek protection in the United States under these programs and eventually apply for a green card.
For human-trafficking victims
Victims of human trafficking who are living in the United States — whether lawfully or unlawfully (in other words, “undocumented”) — may apply for a T visa to stay in the United States for up to four years. As a condition of the T visa, however, they must help to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of human trafficking (unless the victim is under age 18, in which case they need not help with such efforts).
They must also meet other eligibility requirements. These include, for instance, demonstrating “good moral character” (meaning they have not committed certain crimes, such as fraud, prostitution, or murder) from the time they received a T visa until they’re approved for a green card. As another example, they must demonstrate to the U.S. government that they would suffer extreme hardship involving severe harm if they were required to leave the United States. (USCIS provides the full list of eligibility criteria.)
Certain family members will also be eligible to apply for their own green cards as long as both those relatives and the victim satisfy all requirements.
For crime victims
Victims of “substantial physical or mental abuse” who are living in the United States — whether lawfully or unlawfully (in other words, “undocumented”) — may seek protection by applying for a U visa. To obtain a U visa, the victim’s application must be certified by a law enforcement agency. Like recipients of T visas (see above), an applicant for a U visa must also agree to help investigate and prosecute people who commit certain crimes, such as kidnapping, sexual assault, and torture.
The victim’s children, parents, siblings, and spouse will also be eligible to apply for their own green cards as long as both those relatives and the victim satisfy all requirements.
For abuse victims
Victims of domestic violence (battery or extreme cruelty) may apply for a green card that would allow them to seek relief through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Although this law was created to benefit women, it applies to both women and men, and both parents and children, who are victims of abuse.
An abuse victim may apply for a permanent resident card on their own — without the knowledge or permission of their abusive relative, who can include:
USCIS will not notify the abusive relative of the application in order to keep the victim safe. (Full eligibility requirements are detailed on the USCIS website.)
IMPORTANT: If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse now, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline right away at 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY). You’ll be able to talk with someone about available resources, such as shelters, mental health care, and legal assistance. The hotline also provides information about green cards through VAWA.
Diversity Lottery Green Card
Most lottery applicants live in their home countries at the time they cast their entries, but some already live in the United States under a different type of immigration status.
Longtime-Resident Green Card
Individuals who have physically lived in the United States — lawfully or unlawfully (meaning you were “undocumented”) — since January 1, 1972 may apply for a permanent resident card through a special process called “registry.”
Other Green Cards
The U.S. government issues many other types of green cards besides the ones discussed above. Some of these include permanent resident cards for “special immigrants,” including media professionals, religious workers, Afghanistan and Iraq nationals who have served the U.S. government under certain capacities, and other types of workers who have served in an international organization. Others include green cards for Cuban citizens and American Indians born in Canada.
USCIS provides a list of these other green card types and their eligibility requirements.
Boundless helps you build a tailored visa plan for every step of the green card process, from forms to your immigration interview. Get started today!
FAQs
What is a permanent resident?
A permanent resident is a citizen of another country who is permitted to live and work lawfully in the United States.
Who can apply for a green card?
There are many different types of green cards, all with different eligibility requirements. For instance, relatives of U.S. citizens and green card holders can apply for a family-based green card.
How much does a green card cost?
The cost to obtain a green card depends on the type of green card you’re applying for. For example, the government filing fee for a family-based green card is $1760 for an applicant applying from within the United States, and $1200 for an applicant living outside the United States. However, the cost for most visa applications could go up in 2023. Boundless compiled a list of the expected fee increases, including updates on the government’s proposal.
After obtaining a green card, how long until I can apply for citizenship?
You may apply for U.S. citizenship if you have had a green card for five years (or three years for a marriage green card).