{"id":57,"date":"2010-08-18T11:40:15","date_gmt":"2010-08-18T11:40:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/?p=57"},"modified":"2024-03-22T08:11:16","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T08:11:16","slug":"different-ways-to-become-a-permanent-resident","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/different-ways-to-become-a-permanent-resident","title":{"rendered":"Different Ways to Become a Permanent Resident"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>There are different ways to become a permanent resident in the US. As you can probably imagine, some are easier than others. Most will involve a lengthy application process and will usually take about a year or so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>To help you decide which is right for you, here\u2019s a quick rundown of the different ways to become a permanent resident in the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/what_is_a_green_card.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/what_is_a_green_card.jpg\" alt=\"Different Ways to Become a Permanent Resident\" class=\"wp-image-426\" style=\"width:555px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/what_is_a_green_card.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/what_is_a_green_card-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:36px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><div><div class=\"\"><a href=\"#different-ways-to-become-a-permanent-resident-in-america\">Different Ways to Become a Permanent Resident in America<\/a><div><div class=\"\"><a href=\"#have-family-members-in-the-us\">Have Family Members in the US<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"\"><a href=\"#what-happens-when-uscis-finds-marriage-fraud\">What happens when USCIS finds Marriage Fraud?<\/a><div><div class=\"\"><a href=\"#employment-with-permanent-resident\">Employment with Permanent Resident<\/a><\/div><div class=\"\"><a href=\"#adjustment-of-status\">Adjustment of Status<\/a><\/div><div class=\"\"><a href=\"#permanent-resident-via-the-green-card-lottery\">Permanent Resident via the Green Card Lottery <\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"\"><a href=\"#final-thoughts-on-permanent-residency\">Final Thoughts on Permanent Residency<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"different-ways-to-become-a-permanent-resident-in-america\">Different Ways to Become a Permanent Resident in America<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We won\u2019t focus too much on the process of each residency route, as we already have plenty of information on our site. Instead, we\u2019ll provide a brief summary to help you narrow down your options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"have-family-members-in-the-us\">Have Family Members in the US<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The first option is to have family members in the US. These can either be permanent residents or full citizens \u2013 both allow immediate family members to move to the US. However, citizens can also help more distant family members apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Within this category, we can also consider marriages. Marrying a US citizen allows you to fast-track the process somewhat, although the application is a bit more in-depth. After all, marriage is one of the easiest ways to get a Green Card fraudulently, so <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscis.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">USCIS<\/a> is quite particular about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-happens-when-uscis-finds-marriage-fraud\">What happens when USCIS finds Marriage Fraud?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"What happens when USCIS finds Marriage Fraud?\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Wi-7L_4qOBs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, there\u2019s not much you can do about this if you don\u2019t have any family members already living in the country. So, while it\u2019s one of the more straightforward options, it\u2019s not open to everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"employment-with-permanent-resident\">Employment with Permanent Resident<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The second option is to receive sponsorship from an American employer. The application process itself isn\u2019t too difficult, but not loads of people are eligible. Your potential employer must prove that there aren\u2019t any American residents able to do the job, which is why they\u2019re looking abroad for workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>As such, it\u2019s generally only open to specific industries. The most common are science- and research-based roles, teaching, and tech jobs. However, if you\u2019re a skilled worker, it\u2019s definitely worth investigating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s worth noting that you don&#8217;t need to remain in that same role forever. After 5 years, you can apply for naturalization (becoming a citizen), which would allow you to change jobs. You can leave a job within that 5-year window, but USCIS can revoke your Green Card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"adjustment-of-status\">Adjustment of Status<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the different ways to become a permanent resident that isn\u2019t spoken about much is adjustment of status. In short, it means moving to the US on a temporary visa and then turning it into a Green Card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>However, not all temporary visas can be converted into permanent residency. For example, you couldn\u2019t enter the US on a tourism or business visa and expect to be allowed to stay. There are quite specific criteria for proving you\u2019re eligible for adjustment of status, hence why it\u2019s one of the least-discussed options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, it\u2019s more common for people who entered the country as asylum seekers or refugees. It can also be used for marriages if the foreign partner entered the country on a temporary visa. Either way, it\u2019s arguably one of the less straightforward options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Adjustment of status requires you to have a dual-intent visa. This essentially means that it can be converted into permanent residency. USCIS doesn\u2019t advertise which visas are dual-intent, but it\u2019ll typically be seasonal workers and spousal visas. However, it\u2019s one of the riskier ways into permanent residency, so it\u2019s not worth banking on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"permanent-resident-via-the-green-card-lottery\">Permanent Resident via the Green Card Lottery <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, we have the Green Card Lottery. This stands out from the other different ways to become a permanent resident because its criteria are much less strict. For starters, you don\u2019t need a US-based sponsor for your application. Instead, you just need to be from a country with low rates of immigration to the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>As the name implies, it\u2019s drawn as a lottery. So, even if you enter and meet all the eligibility criteria, you\u2019re not guaranteed to win. However, it\u2019s still an attractive option for many because it doesn\u2019t restrict you to a particular job or require you to have family in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Your chances of winning a Green Card have never been higher!<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/chances-of-winning-a-green-card\"><strong>So what is the chance of winning<\/strong>?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>One particular benefit of this method is that you can enter the Green Card Program while pursuing other ways to receive your permanent visa. <strong>US GREEN CARD OFFICE <\/strong>can assist you in<strong> <\/strong>applying for permanent residency in the United States via the <strong>Diversity Visa Program<\/strong>, also known as the Green Card Lottery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/apply\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"245\" height=\"59\" src=\"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/apply-now.gif\" alt=\"Apply for a green card today\" class=\"wp-image-3087\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:28px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>There are 50,000 Green Cards given out each year, which might sound like a lot, but millions of people apply. As mentioned, though, you can apply alongside other residency options, so it makes a great backup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"final-thoughts-on-permanent-residency\">Final Thoughts on Permanent Residency<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Hopefully, this brief guide on the different ways to become a permanent resident has given you a rough idea of what would be most suitable for you. Permanent immigration can be a lengthy and expensive process, but it\u2019s worth taking the time to consider which method best fits your situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:55px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are different ways to become a permanent resident in the US. As you can probably imagine, some are easier than others. Most will involve a lengthy application process and will usually take about a year or so. To help you decide which is right for you, here\u2019s a quick rundown of the different ways [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":426,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3,52,53],"class_list":["post-57","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-about-the-usa-en","tag-diversity-visa-program","tag-green-card-residency","tag-residency-united-states"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5168,"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57\/revisions\/5168"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/426"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}