A foreign national living in the United States on employment visas seeks a green card visa to settle in the U.S permanently. A green card permits an overseas national to legally live and work in the U.S.

The United States is an attractive immigration destination for many reasons, including high-quality life, world-class education, ample job opportunities, and infrastructural superiority. The U.S is also one of the largest and most diversified consumer markets globally.

Here are some of the simplest and the best routes to securing a U.S green card!!

Diversity visa program

Popularly known as the Green Card Lottery system, the Department of State administers the diversity visa program to invite people from countries with low levels of immigration to the U.S.

The United States allocates 50,000 immigrant visas annually under the diversity visa program, which randomly selects people only from countries that don’t send many immigrants to the U.S. to obtain permanent residency status. Applicants from each participating country have a fair chance to win as no country receives more than 7% of the quota reserved for green cards.

Make an investment

The investor-based visas such as the EB-5 Investor program allow immigrant investors to secure a green card by investing a minimum of USD 8 00,000 in a business that must generate jobs for ten U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, or immigrants with employment authorization. In return for the investment and the job creation, investors may claim a green card for themselves and their family members. Investors may invest directly in the EB-5 or opt for a government-approved regional center.

Study in the United States

Student visa to study in the U.S – having a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the United States will make you eligible for a one-year post-graduation work permit known as Optional Practical Training. After completing this period, you may convince your employer to apply for an H1B work visa for you. Your employer will also apply for a labor certification from the Department of Labor to prove that no American worker is qualified enough to perform the said job role.

After that, you may apply for a Green Card through the Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. Although, it’s a bumpy road with various complexities involved, especially for those who can’t invest in the United States and have no family sponsorship.

Employment-based visas

Unlike family-based visas, a U.S-based employer sponsors a foreign worker to fill a job position in the employment-based preference streams. The category does take you to the path of a green card; it has its challenges and eligibility requirements that both worker and the employer must fulfill in one of the several categories. However, the waiting times for the employment-based categories are shorter; the application process requires extensive documentation work for both parties. The eligibility requirements are also quite demanding.

Prominent Categories of Employment-based visas:

• EB-1 Visa for Priority Workers- “Priority Workers” are considered undisputed leaders in their fields, such as globally recognized artists, award-winning university professors/researchers/scientists, or outstanding multinational executives or managers of an international company.
• EB-2 Visa for advanced degree professionals- To qualify, foreign applicants must have earned an advanced degree, such as a Master’s, Ph.D., Juris Doctor (J.D. or law degree), or an M.D. (medicine).
• EB-3 Visa for Professional, Skilled, and Unskilled Workers- This green card category serves several kinds of skilled professionals and includes long waiting times. It makes permanent residence possible for professional workers, skilled workers, and unskilled workers.
• Employment Fourth Preference (EB-4) – This pathway is for religious workers, such as priests, vocational workers, Ministers, etc., having job offers from religious organizations in the United States. A total of 10,000 green cards are reserved annually under the EB-4 category.

The descriptions mentioned above are general. Regardless of any category you choose, nailing down all eligibility requirements and other details is crucial for a successful application. Contact our certified immigration consultants by ringing us at 8595338595 or mail us at [email protected].