A Green Card grants a non-U.S. citizen lawful permanent residency in the United States. It allows you to live and work in the U.S. on a permanent basis. There are roughly one million green cards issued annually in the U.S., and in 2022, more than 1 million immigrants became lawful permanent residents.
But what are the steps to getting a green card? And what are the specific conditions that must be met? Marriage to a U.S. citizen is a well-known and direct path to getting a green card, but there are several other avenues available for those seeking permanent residency in the United States. We’ll tell you how to get a green card in the US without marrying a citizen through various means, such as employment-based opportunities, family sponsorship, asylum, and more.
Employment-based green cards are one of the most common alternatives. In 2022, approximately 140,000 employment-based green cards were issued, while each year, about 226,000 family-based green cards became available.
Learn more about these different paths to see if these opportunities can help you achieve your goal of getting a green card without the necessity of marriage.
Employment-Based Green Card Options
Looking to obtain a green card without marriage? Here are different employment-based green card options that may be available to you:
- The EB-1 visa: This option is for those with extraordinary abilities in fields like science, arts, education, business, or athletics. If you excel in your field, this could be a good choice.
- The EB-2 visa: It’s for those with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities in their profession. This category requires a job offer and a labor certification.
- The EB-3 visa: These are suitable for skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers. This category usually requires a specific job offer and labor certification as well.
- The EB-5 visa: This program is for investors looking to start a business in the U.S. By investing in a commercial enterprise that creates jobs for U.S. workers, you may be able to get a green card.
Each employment-based green card option has its own set of requirements and processes, so do your research and understand which one works best with your qualifications and goals.
Family Sponsorship for a Green Card
Family sponsorship can be a way to get a green card through a relative who’s a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. This option lets certain relatives of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents apply for a green card, granting them lawful permanent residency in the United States.
There are different categories of family-sponsored green cards, such as those for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, including spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21 years old. There are also family preference categories for more distant relatives, like adult children and siblings of U.S. citizens, as well as spouses and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents.
To start the process, the sponsoring relative must file a petition on your behalf with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once the petition is approved, you can then apply for a green card by showing that you are eligible and attending interviews as required.
Green Card Through Asylum or Refugee Status
If you have been granted asylum in the United States, you can apply for a green card one year after being granted asylum status. This process involves filling out Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. In this case, you need to meet all eligibility requirements and provide supporting documentation to strengthen your case.
If you have refugee status, you can apply for a green card after staying in the U.S. for one year under refugee status. The process is similar to the one for asylees and requires submitting Form I-485 along with the necessary documentation. Both paths offer a direct way to get a green card without marriage, giving way to permanent residence based on protection granted due to fear of persecution in your home country.
Remember to always keep track of any updates or changes in immigration laws that might affect your eligibility for getting a green card through asylum or refugee status.
Green Card via Investment Opportunities
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program allows someone to apply for a green card by investing in a new commercial enterprise that creates jobs in the U.S. To qualify, you typically need to invest $900,000 in a targeted employment area or $1.8 million in a non-targeted area. Your investment must create at least 10 full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers within the next two years.
This pathway not only helps you get a green card, but it also contributes to the U.S. economy by generating employment opportunities. The investment can take various forms, like a new business venture or a troubled business in need of reorganization. With this program, you can have an immigration status based on your financial contribution to the country.
Keep in mind that thorough research and understanding of the requirements are important when considering this option.
Special Categories for Green Card Eligibility
Applicants can qualify under special categories based on unique circumstances. One such category is the Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), which helps minors who’ve been abused, abandoned, or neglected by one or both parents. If you have been in the U.S. and meet the criteria for SIJS, you may be eligible for a green card.
If eligible, you can self petition through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). This allows victims of domestic violence who are married to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to petition for themselves without the abuser’s knowledge. If you’re in this situation, you can seek legal protection and get a green card on your own.
Also, those who’ve worked for the U.S. government or the military in certain capacities may qualify for special immigrant visas. These visas are available for specific groups, such as translators, Iraqi and Afghan nationals, and others who’ve supported U.S. missions abroad.
Conclusion
There are different ways to apply for a green card without having to rely on marriage. Whether through employment opportunities, family sponsorship, asylum or refugee status, investment options, or special categories, you have multiple paths to choose from.
By looking at these different options, you may be able to find the one that best fits your situation and help you achieve your goal of getting permanent residency in the United States.
