Green card basics: how people become permanent residents

Step 1 — Understand what a green card is

A green card — officially a Permanent Resident Card — allows you to live and work permanently in the United States (USCIS — Green Card). Its holder is a lawful permanent resident (LPR) (USCIS — Adjustment of Status).

It comes with rights, such as working at any legal job you choose (some jobs are limited to citizens), and responsibilities, such as filing income tax returns. Permanent residents cannot vote in federal, state or local elections (USCIS — Rights and Responsibilities). Details: our guide for new green card holders.

Some people first get a conditional green card, valid for two years, which can’t be renewed; the conditions must be removed instead (USCIS — Conditional Permanent Residence). See removing conditions, and, for later, the path to citizenship.

Step 2 — Learn the official categories

USCIS says that to apply, “you must be eligible under one of the categories” on its list (USCIS — Eligibility Categories). The main groups:

• Family. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens — a spouse, an unmarried child under 21, or the parent of a citizen aged 21 or older — and other relatives of citizens and permanent residents in the “family preference” categories (USCIS — Immediate Relatives; USCIS — Family Preference). Overview: bringing family.
• Employment. Workers in three “preference” categories, certain physicians and immigrant investors (USCIS — Eligibility Categories; USCIS — Employment-Based). Overview: employment-based green cards.
• Special immigrants. For example, religious workers, Special Immigrant Juveniles and certain Afghan and Iraqi nationals who worked for the U.S. government (USCIS — Eligibility Categories).
• Refugees and asylees. People admitted as refugees, or granted asylum, at least 1 year ago (USCIS — Eligibility Categories; USCIS — Asylees). Refugees are required by law to apply after 1 year of physical presence in the U.S. (USCIS — Refugees). See refugee and asylee documents.
• Trafficking and crime victims. People who have T or U nonimmigrant status, also called the T and U visas (USCIS — T; USCIS — U).
• Victims of abuse. Including self-petitioners under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): certain abused spouses, children and parents of citizens or permanent residents, who can file without the abuser knowing (USCIS — VAWA). If you’re not safe, see domestic violence help.
• Diversity Visa (“green card lottery”). People selected in the State Department’s lottery, which USCIS lists under “other categories” (USCIS — Eligibility Categories). It is for natives of countries with low immigration rates to the U.S. (USA.gov — DV eligibility), and most winners immigrate from abroad (USCIS — Diversity Visa).
• Other categories. Such as the Cuban Adjustment Act and Lautenberg parolees, plus “registry” for people living in the U.S. continuously since before January 1, 1972 (USCIS — Eligibility Categories).

Each category has its own USCIS page. Whether one fits your situation is a question for authorized legal help.

Step 3 — Know the two routes: in the U.S. or abroad

USCIS describes two ways to apply, depending on where you are (USCIS — How to Apply):

• Adjustment of status — applying with USCIS while you are in the United States, on Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, without returning to your home country (USCIS — Adjustment of Status).
• Consular processing — applying for an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate abroad. With the visa, you travel to the U.S., where a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer decides whether to admit you as a permanent resident. Once you’ve paid the USCIS Immigrant Fee, your card is mailed to you (USCIS — Consular Processing).

Being in the U.S. doesn’t by itself mean you can adjust status: each category lists its own requirements (USCIS — Immediate Relatives), and some people in the U.S. who can’t file Form I-485 may apply through consular processing (USCIS — I-130).

The usual order: a petition is filed for you; once it’s approved and a visa is available, you apply; you give fingerprints, photos and a signature at a biometrics appointment; then you get a decision (USCIS — How to Apply). USCIS decides case by case whether an adjustment applicant needs an interview (USCIS — Adjustment of Status); abroad, the consulate schedules one (USCIS — Consular Processing).

Step 4 — Understand the petition

Most people need at least two forms: an immigrant petition and a green card application. Someone else usually files the petition — often called “sponsoring” you — though sometimes you can file for yourself (USCIS — How to Apply). Common examples:

• Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative — filed by a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or U.S. national for a relative (USCIS — I-130);
• Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers — for a worker (USCIS — I-140);
• Form I-730 for relatives of refugees and asylees, and Form I-360 for special immigrants (USCIS — How to Apply), also used by VAWA self-petitioners (USCIS — VAWA).

Some categories, such as the Cuban Adjustment Act, need no petition. In others, you may file Form I-485 together with the petition — “concurrent filing” (USCIS — Adjustment of Status).

Many families miss this: filing or approval of an I-130 “does not give your relative any immigration status or benefit” (USCIS — I-130). It’s a first step, not a green card.

Step 5 — Learn what the Visa Bulletin shows

Visas for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are unlimited. Family preference and employment visas have yearly and per-country limits, so a waiting line can form (USCIS — Visa Availability). Three terms:

• Priority date — your place in that line. In family cases, it’s the date the petition (usually Form I-130) was properly filed; in employment cases, it depends on the category. It’s on Form I-797, Notice of Action, for your petition (USCIS — Visa Availability).
• Visa Bulletin — a monthly State Department publication showing visa availability by category and country, for family, employment and diversity visas (USCIS — Visa Availability). The current and upcoming bulletins are on the State Department’s Visa Bulletin page; dates are written day-month-year (State Department — Visa Bulletin).
• Two charts — “Application Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications” (USCIS — Visa Availability). Each month, USCIS says which one to use for Form I-485 on its filing charts page (USCIS — Filing Charts).

Dates can also move backward — “visa retrogression” (USCIS — Visa Availability). If you’re unsure what the Bulletin means for you, ask authorized help instead of guessing.

Step 6 — Explore your options and check for updates

• Explore my Options. This USCIS tool asks you to “tell us a little about yourself” and suggests options. USCIS warns it “shows options you might be eligible for, but we cannot guarantee” approval (USCIS — Explore my Options). It’s a starting point, not an answer.
• Processing times. You can check the average time a USCIS office takes to process Form I-485 on its processing times page (USCIS — Pending Application).
• Official updates. USCIS posts changes on its Alerts page (USCIS — Alerts). In August and September 2026, for example, it posted court orders on “hold” policies that had paused decisions on some applications, including for people from certain countries and certain Diversity Visa selectees (USCIS — Hold policies, Aug. 28, 2026; USCIS — DV hold, Sept. 4, 2026). This is still in the courts; if it could affect you, talk to authorized legal help before you file or travel.