Permanent Residency (Green Card)
Lawful permanent residents (LPR), commonly known as “green card” holders, enjoy several privileges in the United States:
- Residence and Work Authorization:
- LPRs are allowed to reside and work permanently in the U.S.
- They can engage in routine personal and business travel to and from the U.S.
- Path to Citizenship:
- Holding a green card is often a stepping stone toward U.S. citizenship.
- LPRs can apply for naturalization after meeting certain residency and other eligibility requirements.
- Family-Based and Employment-Based Green Cards:
- LPRs can obtain green cards through family sponsorship (e.g., immediate relatives, family preference categories) or employment-based sponsorship (e.g., EB-1, EB-2, EB-3).
- Each category has specific criteria and waiting times.
- Rights and Responsibilities:
- LPRs have the right to live, work, and study in the U.S.
- They must also fulfill certain responsibilities, such as paying taxes and obeying U.S. laws.
One of the most common ways people obtain a green card in the United States is through family-based immigration. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) can help certain family members immigrate to the U.S.
- Immediate Relatives: Certain close family members, such as spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21, have preferential treatment in the family-based immigration process.
- Preference Categories: Other family members (e.g., married children, siblings) fall into preference categories with varying waiting times based on visa availability.
- Family preference visas
- Immediate relative visas
- K-1 and K-2 fiancé(e) visas
- K-3 nonimmigrant spouse visas
- Naturalization and citizenship