How to Obtain a Green Card in U.S.

Our immigration lawyer in the US can provide all the legal support needed in order to obtain the Green Card in the USA. This is also known as the residence permit in the USA. 

Who is eligible for a US Green Card?

A foreign citizen can become a green card holder in the U.S. in various ways, some of the most common ones being becoming an employee in a U.S. company or through a family member who is a citizen of the U.S. or a permanent resident here. 

There are various categories of people who are eligible for permanent residency in the US. They are categorized into:

• family members of US citizens or permanent residence: spouse, children, unmarried children under 21, adult sons and daughters, brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens, parents;
• people who apply for work permits: only those who have be offered job positions in US companies, skilled people, and investors;
• other categories of applicants: asylees, refugees, and victims of abuse under the Violence Against Women Act.

What is the procedure for filing for a Green Card in the USA in 2026?

The procedure of filing for the green card in the USA in 2026, generally involves the following four steps:
1.    Filing for labor certification (only for employers)
Prior to contacting the immigration authorities in Miami about obtaining a green card for a foreign employee, the employer has to undertake an advertising and recruitment procedure; consequently, not be able to find a U.S. employee who is qualified, wants and is available to occupy the same position. After that, the employer has to file a labor certification demand with the Department of Labor in the U.S.
2.    Filing an initial visa application
As the second step of the procedure of filing for the green card in Miami, this is the stage when the employer or relative begins the procedure of discussing with the immigration authorities in the U.S. through filing an application for a visa on the foreign citizen’s behalf.
3.    Wait until a visa is attainable
For visas that have a limited number per year, the visa candidate has to wait until the priority date appears on a waiting list.
4.    Filing for the green card
Finally, the foreign citizen can submit the application for the green card in the U.S. This might take up to several months, depending on where the application is made. The application can be made either at an USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) or at a U.S. consulate in the applicant’s country of residence. 

Here’s an infographic on this subject:

Are there any differences between these applicant categories? If yes, what are they?

Yes, there are several important differences to note, and the most important are:

• the waiting period, which depends on the category and, for preference categories, on the monthly Visa Bulletin;
• sponsorship: employees will be sponsored by the employer, while incoming relatives by the US citizen/lawful resident, who must also meet specific income requirements (Affidavit of Support);
• investment: those who apply for US Green Cards through the EB-5 visa are bound to invest the minimum amount required under this immigration category.

Is it possible to obtain a Green Card for the US while I am in the country?

Yes, it. The procedure is called Adjustment of Status and requires the submission of Form I-485. However, you must make sure you are in the eligibility pool for this status, and our immigration lawyer can help you with the mandatory checks.

What are the approval times of the US Green Card at the level of 2026?

The approval process varies by category and office for people who are already in the US; check current processing times on uscis.gov/processing-times. For those waiting to receive their Green Cards from abroad, the timing depends on the Visa Bulletin and on consular wait times (see travel.state.gov).

Premium processing is not available for the Green Card application (Form I-485) itself; it exists only for some employment-based petitions (such as Form I-140), for which the approval process is completed in a fast manner.

Does a Green Card expire?

Yes, Green Cards also expire. Better said, their validity is 10 years. The exception is the conditional Green Card, which has a 2-year validity period. So, make sure to renew your document in time to keep enjoying your benefits here.

Do I lose my status if I do not renew the Green Card in time?

No, you will not lose your status; however, you will be temporarily restricted from applying for a job, for example, as the employer cannot perform the verification of your legal status. Our US immigration lawyer recommends you renew your card within the 6 months before it expires.
More details on the Green Cards awarded in U.S. are available below: 

What are the advantages of a green card in the U.S.?

A green card in Miami, U.S.:

•    Enables you to obtain official immigration status in the U.S.;
•    Gives you certain rights, as well as responsibilities;
•    Allows you to apply for U.S. naturalization.

Please contact our immigration lawyer in the United States for further information on how to obtain a green card in the USA.