Green Card Eligibility Categories

To apply for a Green Card, you must be eligible under one of the categories listed below. Once you find the category that may fit your situation, click on the link provided to get information on eligibility requirements, how to apply, and whether your family members can also apply with you.

Green Card through Family

You may be eligible to apply as a…	If you are the…
Immediate relative of a U.S. citizen	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
Other relative of a U.S. citizen or relative of a lawful permanent resident under the family-based preference categories	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
Fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen or the fiancé(e)’s child	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)
Widow(er) of a U.S. citizen	Widow or widower of a U.S. citizen and you were married to your U.S. citizen spouse at the time your spouse died
VAWA self-petitioner– victim of battery or extreme cruelty	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

Green Card through Employment

You may be eligible to apply as a…	If you…
Immigrant worker	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)
Physician National Interest Waiver	Are a physician who agrees to work full-time in clinical practice in a designated underserved area for a set period of time and also meets other eligibility requirements
Immigrant investor	Have invested or are actively in the process of investing at least $1 million (or $500,000 in a targeted employment area) in a new commercial enterprise in the U.S. which will create full-time positions for at least 10 qualifying employees

Green Card as a Special Immigrant

You may be eligible to apply as a…	If you…
Religious worker	Are a member of a religious denomination coming to the U.S. to work for a nonprofit religious organization
Special Immigrant Juvenile	Are a juvenile who needs the protection of a juvenile court because you have been abused, abandoned or neglected by a parent.
Afghanistan or Iraq national	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 International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)
International broadcaster	Are coming to work in the U.S. as a member of the media for the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) or a USAGM grantee.
Employee of an international organization or family member or NATO-6 employee or family member	Are a retired officer or employee of an eligible international organization or NATO, or are an eligible family member of such an employee.

Green Card through Refugee or Asylee Status

You may be eligible to apply as a…	If you…
Asylee	Were granted asylum status at least 1 year ago
Refugee	Were admitted as a refugee at least 1 year ago

Green Card for Human Trafficking and Crime Victims

You may be eligible to apply as a…	If you…
Human trafficking victim	Currently have a T nonimmigrant visa
Crime victim	Currently have a U nonimmigrant visa

Green Card for Victims of Abuse

You may be eligible to apply as a…	If you are…
VAWA self-petitioner– victim of battery or extreme cruelty	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
Special Immigrant Juvenile	Are a child who has been abused, abandoned, or neglected by your parent and you have SIJ status
An abused (victim of battery or extreme cruelty) spouse or child under the Cuban Adjustment Act	The abused spouse or child of a Cuban native or citizen
An abused (victim of battery or extreme cruelty) spouse or child under Haitian Refugee Immigrant Fairness Act (HRIFA)	The abused spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident who received his or her Green Card based on HRIFA

Green Card through Other Categories

You may be eligible to apply under this category…	If you…
Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF)	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.
Diversity Immigrant Visa Program	Were selected for a diversity visa in the Department of State’s diversity visa lottery
Cuban Adjustment Act	Are a Cuban native or citizen, or Are the spouse or child of a Cuban native or citizen
An abused (victim of battery or extreme cruelty) spouse or child under the Cuban Adjustment Act	Are the abused spouse or child of a Cuban native or citizen
Dependent status under the HRIFA	Are the spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident who received his or her Green Card based on the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (HRIFA)
An abused (victim of battery or extreme cruelty) spouse or child under HRIFA	Are the abused spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident who received his or her Green Card based on HRIFA
Lautenberg parolee	Were paroled into the U.S. as a Lautenberg parolee
Indochinese Parole Adjustment Act of 2000	Are a native or citizen of Vietnam, Kampuchea (Cambodia), or Laos who was paroled into the U.S. on or before Oct. 1, 1997 from Vietnam under the Orderly Departure Program, a refugee camp in East Asia, or a displaced person camp administered by UNHCR in Thailand.
American Indian born in Canada	Were born in Canada, possess at least 50% American Indian blood, and maintain your principal residence in the United States.
Person born in the United States to a foreign diplomat	Were born in the United States to a foreign diplomatic officer who was stationed in the U.S. when you were born.
Section 13 (diplomat)	Were stationed in the United States as a foreign diplomat or high ranking official and are unable to return home

Green Card through Registry

You may be eligible to register for a Green Card if you have resided continuously in the U.S. since before Jan. 1, 1972.

Last Reviewed/Updated:

11/02/2020