There are several means through which you can apply for a green card. Some methods are more efficient than others.

Green cards can be obtained through:

Family Immigration

Current U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can sponsor certain family members for green cards. U.S. citizens can leverage the immediate relative categories, which include:

• Spouses
• Parents
• And unmarried children under the age of 21

Because immediate relative categories have no annual cap, beneficiaries will face no additional wait for a visa once their sponsorship petition has been approved.

Lawful permanent residents can sponsor their spouses and unmarried children through the family preference categories. U.S. citizens can also sponsor their:

• Siblings
• Adult children
• And married children under these categories

Family preference categories do have an annual cap, meaning beneficiaries must wait for a visa to become available after their petition has been approved. The length of the wait will depend on the case backlog, the beneficiary’s country of origin, and their familial relationship with the sponsor. Our team can help you sponsor your loved ones for green cards as efficiently as possible.

Employment Immigration

Businesses based in the United States can sponsor prospective employees for green cards for the purposes of filling positions that cannot otherwise be filled by domestic workers. Employment-based green cards are distributed across preference categories that priorities those with “extraordinary abilities” and advanced degrees.

Workers with:

• Bachelor’s degrees
• Skilled workers
• Unskilled workers
• And immigrant investors can also qualify

In many situations, your U.S.-based prospective employer must obtain labor certification before proceeding with seeking your visa. This complicated process involves proving there are no domestic workers willing or able to take the job at a fair industry rate. We regularly work with individuals and businesses to navigate the employment immigration process.

Asylum Status

Individuals granted asylum status in the United States can apply for a green card after 1 year.

Obtaining asylum status involves demonstrating past persecution or a “well-founded fear” of future persecution in your home country or previous country of residence on the basis of your :

• Race
• Religion
• Nationality
• Political beliefs
• Or membership in a particular social group

You will need to be able to draw a direct line between the past or feared persecution and the protected ground. We regularly assist individuals who seek asylum as a removal defense as well as those who proactively after entering the country. If you have already been granted asylum status, we can help you take the necessary steps to secure your green card.

The Diversity Lottery

The United States annually issues 50,000 green cards to individuals and their families through a lottery system. In order to enter the lottery, you must meet two main requirements.

Your country of birth must be a nation that does not send many immigrants to the U.S., and you must have a certain level of education. Our Short Hills green card consultants can determine if you meet the lottery’s requirements and help you enter at the appropriate time.

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program

Each year, USCIS issues up to 10,000 green cards to entrepreneurs that make qualifying investments in U.S.-based commercial enterprises. To obtain an EB-5 green card, you must invest a minimum of $1,800,000 in any new or existing business.

Alternatively, you only need to invest $900,000 if you target a USCIS-approved rural or economically distressed area. The investment must create or preserve at least 10 American jobs within 2 years. If you are an entrepreneur willing to make this level of investment, our team can guide you through the process.

U Visas

Victims of certain serious crimes can obtain a U visa if they are able to meaningfully assist law enforcement in an ensuing investigation. U visas are typically valid for up to 4 years, and you can apply for a green card after 3 years. Timing is extremely important when seeking a green card on a U visa, but our team can carefully guide you through the process.

T Visas

T visas are similar to U visas but are specifically intended for victims of human trafficking. These victims can seek relief through the T visa if they are willing to cooperate with law enforcement in an ensuing investigation. Like with U visas, T visas last for up to 4 years, and beneficiaries can apply for green cards after 3 years.

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

Family members must typically be sponsored by the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident they are related to. However, if a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident is abusive, certain children, spouses, and parents may be eligible to self-petition for green cards. We can determine if you qualify and facilitate this method of obtaining a green card without the cooperation of your abusive family member.

Special Immigrant Categories and Other Exceptions

A myriad of additional exceptions and options are available in miscellaneous categories. We can review your situation and determine whether any of these exceptions may apply to you or your loved ones.