<p>Are you thinking of becoming a permanent resident in the US? For this, the best option is to apply for a green card. It allows you to live and work in the country like US citizens. However, like the other things here also you need to follow a procedure. But before you apply for it it is advisable first to know the green card process. It can aid in easing down all things. In addition, having info. This can also help you avoid the mistakes. With this, to guide you here the following blog will help you. How? Well, it contains all the steps included in the US green card application. It also states its timeline. So, let's begin reading it.</p>
<h2>General Paths to Get a US Green Card</h2>
<p>It is well-known to everyone that there are different types of green cards available for people. Each of them has their specific steps and procedures to follow. Considering this before applying for a green card process you should first know the eligibility criteria of it. There are three general ways by which you can apply for a green card:</p>
<h3>Through Family (Form I-130)</h3>
<p>Close relatives of U.S. citizens and present green card holders can apply for family-based green cards. The eligible persons include parents, spouses, children, and siblings along with the children and spouses of those adult children, spouses, and siblings. In addition, widowers and widows who married a citizen of the US at that time can also apply under this. However, they need to prove that their marriage was real to get the card. The most general way to qualify for a family-based green card is by marriage. But before you file for the green card application you need to file the I-130 form.</p>
<h3>Through Employment (Form I-140)</h3>
<p>Under the employment-based green card, several types of workers can apply for permanent residency in the US. With this, in some cases, their spouses and children may also qualify for a green card. It includes priority workers (EB-1), professionals with exceptional abilities and exceptional degrees (EB-2), physicians (EB-2 with waiver), professional, skilled and unskilled workers (EB-3), special workers (EB-4) and investors (EB-5). Each of these petitions is linked with Form I-140. It is an immigration form that should be filled out before the green card application.</p>
<h3>For Humanitarian Reasons</h3>
<p>An individual can also get a <strong><a href="https://visament.com/blog/green-card" target="_blank" rel="noopener">green card</a></strong> for urgent humanitarian reasons to be in the US that calls for immediate or other time-sensitive action. It includes but is not limited to critical medical treatment, human trafficking victims, abuse victims, and more. However, it is short-term parole and needs evidence. But in the case of human trafficking and abuse victims if things go well it is a good chance to be a permanent resident in the US.</p>
<p>These are general paths to begin the green card application process in the US. However, while applying for any first check the eligibility criteria. Also, have the information about the papers needed for the process. With this, moving ahead let's move to the next step i.e. selection of visa type.</p>
<h2>Selection of Visa Category</h2>
<p>This following step is only available for green card eligibility categories based on the job. As stated above these are of different types and you will need to know which is the right one for you. So read further to know more about them:</p>
<p><img src="https://visament.com/editor_image/mceu_85377958511742555344383_1742555343.webp" alt="Visa Category"></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Priority Workers (EB-1):</strong> This option is available for people who are at the top position in their field and eligible for self-petitioning. In addition, it does not require PERM certification.</li>
<li><strong>Professionals with Exceptional Abilities and Degrees (EB-2):</strong> This program is for researchers and professors. It does not need PERM certification.</li>
<li><strong>EB-1C:</strong> This employment-based green card visa type is available for multinational executives and managers. It also does not need PERM certification.</li>
<li><strong>Physicians (EB-2 with waiver):</strong> This green card type is available for people with work of "national importance." In this, physicians are also eligible for self-petitioning.</li>
<li><strong>EB-2 PERM:</strong> This green card type allows individuals with extraordinary abilities or advanced degrees to apply. This visa category needs PERM certification.</li>
<li><strong>EB-3:</strong> Available for professional, skilled, and unskilled workers. In addition, it also needs PERM certification.</li>
<li><strong>EB-4 and EB-5:</strong> The EB-4 green card type is available for special immigrants and EB-5 is for immigrant investors. However, both of them do not need PERM certification. </li>
</ul>
<p>If you are applying for an employment-based green card category then you do need to follow this green card process. In this, as per preference, you are required to choose the right visa selection. Moving forward, let's discuss the third step. </p>
<h2>PERM Labor Certification</h2>
<p>For EB-2 PERM and EB-3 petitions, the Program for Electronic Review Management (PERM) Labor certification is the next step. Well, this step is an option that can be applicable or not in your green card category. The PERM states to the US Department of Labor (DOL) that by coming to the US you are not taking a job from a US worker. This process is done by the employer who is sponsoring you. Depending on the selection of your employer on audit the process can take 6 to 18 months. These 18 months can be explained in the following stages:</p>
<ul>
<li>Prevailing Wage Request: This is the first stage of the PERM certification. In this, the employer who is sponsoring you needs to obtain a prevailing salary from the DOL. This process generally takes around two weeks.</li>
<li>Recruitment Process: At this stage, your sponsoring employer should work with the DOL to establish that for the proposed job position there are no skilled US workers. In addition, need to specify to them that you are the right person for this job position. This process often takes several months to complete.</li>
<li>ETA-9089 Application: The third step is submitting an ETA-9089 application to the DOL. It is also done by your sponsoring employer. To review and approve the application the DOL can take around six months.</li>
</ul>
<p>It is all about how the PERM Labor certification role in the green card process. As stated above this step is optional so it is not vital for you to apply for it. It completely depends on your employment-based visa category. Moving further, let's know about the petition phase and its role in green card application.</p>
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<h2>Petition Phase</h2>
<p>Well, this step is available for immigrants with petitions that do not need PERM labor certification. In addition, EB-2 PERM and EB-3 people apply for this step after the approval of PERM certification. At this stage, the petition of the immigrant is prepared. Under this, for employment-based petitions, an I-140 Form with supporting documents is prepared for alien workers. In addition, for family-based petitions, an I-130 Form with supporting papers is prepared for alien relatives. </p>
<p>With this, depending on the legal service firm you are taking help from the time of petition phase varies. It may take a few weeks to months. In this, some petitions like the EB-1A or the EB-2 NIW can ask for several papers whereas others are straightforward. Also after being prepared the petition is printed out and sent to a US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) service center. Under this, you can apply for a premium process for some petitions that are eligible for it. Through this, they can be reviewed and approved within 15-45 business days by USCIS. However, for other petitions, you may need to wait for several years to get the approval.</p>
<p>This is all about the petition phase and it's working. With this, to get a clear idea of the estimated time average processing times of petitions you can check the USCIS website. There as per your case type, you will be able to see your application processing time. Moving forward, let's know about the next step of the green card process i.e. adjustment of status.</p>
<h2>Adjustment of Status</h2>
<p>Adjustment of status can be defined as the process of becoming a permanent resident from inside the US. In other words, becoming a green card holder. In this stage, you fill out the I-485 form. It is a green card application to adjust status or register permanent residence. Before applying for it certify that you are using the right edition of Form -485 i.e. starting 10 February 2025, the 10/24/24 edition. Older than this edition will be rejected. With this, after getting the form approval you will get your green card.</p>
<p>In case you are applying for a US green card outside the US you need to follow a different process at a US consulate. Before applying there know that each consulate has a slightly varied process. So it is advisable to inquire with your local immigration attorney or consulate for more info. With this, moving back to the I-485 for people already present in the US there are a few things to consider during filing the I-485 form. These are as follows:</p>
<ul>
<li>If you moved outside the US recently and have an intent visa then you need to wait for 90 days to fill out the <strong><a href="https://visament.com/blog/form-i485" target="_blank" rel="noopener">I-485 Form</a></strong>.</li>
<li>For individuals of each nation, there is no yearly limit on the availability of green cards. However, because of the increasing demand for green card applications from China and India, there is often a backlog for these nations. Also, to file the I-485 Form on the visa bulletin, you need to have the current priority date stated.</li>
<li>If your filing is based on marriage or job you cannot file the I-485 Form right away before the immigrant visa i.e. I-140 or I-130. However, if you have a current priority date, you can apply at the same time. Also, this can speed up the whole application process.</li>
<li>Some people choose to wait to file the green card application online until they get their immigrant visa. During this time, they need to maintain their legal status in the USA. For this some of them file Form I-131 i.e. Application for Travel Document and Form I-765 i.e. Application for Employment Authorization. Generally, within a few months, both applications get approval. Through Form I-765 applicants get work authorization and Form I-131 helps them to travel globally.</li>
</ul>
<p>Well, the green card process does not end here. There are a few things that happen after the submission of the green card application to the US govt.</p>
<h3>Process After Application Submission</h3>
<p>Following are the things that happen after application submission:</p>
<ul>
<li>After the submission of the green card application, you or your immigration lawyer from USCIS get a Notice of Receipt of Application. This receipt shows that your application was sent by the USCIS in the right place. On the receipt notice, you will also get a receipt number through which you can track your green card status online.</li>
<li>Later on, for Biometrics Appointments, you will get a notice. In the notice, the appointment date and location will be stated. Also, it contains the guidelines to reschedule the appointment if necessary. This process is quick and allows USCIS to do your complete background check to continue the green card process.</li>
<li>Also, you may get a request for initial evidence asking you to provide a medical exam.</li>
<li>In last, you may get an invite for a green card interview. For certain applicants, USCIS can waive interviews, but you should always prepare yourself to attend them if needed. This green card interview serves to confirm and clarify your work history, present immigration status, and green card application.</li>
</ul>
<p>These are the following things that you need to follow during the green card process. In this having the guidance and support of an expert eases down the whole application process.</p>
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<h2>Discover Your Green Card Options with Visament</h2>
<p>With so many different visa types and USCIS backlogs the green card process and timeline vary from person to person. However, you do not have to figure out all these things alone. When you work with <strong><a href="https://visament.com/usa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Visament</a></strong>, you get the support and guidance of a dedicated immigration team who cares and understands your unique situation. So, when you find yourself thinking of "how to begin the green card application process?" Connect with us and ease down the whole process. We can also aid you with the<strong><a href="https://visament.com/blog/h1b-to-green-card-things-to-know-before-applying" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> H-1B to Green Card</a></strong> process and simplify things for you.</p>