What is the process for permanent residency in the U.S.?

The process for obtaining permanent residency in the United States, often referred to as obtaining a Green Card, entails several key steps. First, an individual must determine the eligibility category under which they can apply for permanent residency. This could include family-based sponsorship, employment-based sponsorship, refugee or asylee status, or other special programs such as the Diversity Visa Lottery. Once eligibility is established, the applicant typically must have a sponsor, either a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident who can file a petition on their behalf. For family-based Green Cards, this sponsor would generally file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. For employment-based Green Cards, the employer would often file Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker. After the petition is approved, the next step involves applying for the Green Card itself. Applicants within the United States usually file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, while those outside the United States apply through consular processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. Following the submission of the application, applicants may be required to attend an interview and provide supporting documents, including medical exams and fingerprinting for background checks. After all steps are completed, the U.S. Department of State ultimately makes the decision on the application. Throughout this process, it is essential to remain aware of the processing times and requirements, which can be found on the relevant web pages associated with U.S. Department of State services.