Types of Green Cards in the U.S. in 2023

The U.S. issues nearly a million green cards every year through various immigration streams. Securing a green card is the primary U.S. immigration pathway for any foreigner that wants to live and work in the U.S. and eventually receive citizenship. There are numerous green card categories and types of green cards within each category. On this page, you will learn all about different green cards, general requirements, processing times, and the cost of a green card. Also, this page could be the starting point for you to explore which green card is suitable for your situation.

What is a Green Card?

A green card allows foreign individuals the right to live and work in the United States permanently. It is also known as a Permanent Resident Card and is issued by the USCIS to foreign nationals who meet certain eligibility criteria. A green card holder is considered a lawful permanent resident and is allowed to stay in the country for an indefinite period.

U.S. green cards are highly sought after by individuals around the world who wish to move to the U.S. Many want to secure green cards to have better job opportunities, education, or reunite with family members. Holding a green card has many advantages, such as being able to work for any company in the U.S. and travel in and out of the country without restrictions. A green card will also put you on track for U.S. citizenship.

To be eligible for a green card, one must meet specific requirements, depending on the category. The most common ways to obtain a green card are through employment, family, or as a refugee or asylee.

Types of Green Card Categories

There are several types of green card categories, below are listed most of them:

• Family-Based Green Cards – These are available to individuals with a close family member who is a U.S. citizen or a LPR. Immediate relatives, such as spouses, unmarried children under the age of 21, and parents of U.S. citizens, have a higher priority and typically have shorter waiting times than other family-based categories.
• Employment-Based Green Cards – These are available to individuals with a job offer from a U.S. employer. The U.S. employer must first obtain a labor certification to demonstrate that no qualified U.S. workers are available. There are five employment-based categories based on the job requirements and qualifications of the employee.
• Refugee and Asylee Green Cards – These are available to individuals who have been granted asylum or refugee status in the U.S. Refugees are individuals who were forced to flee their home countries due to persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Asylees are already in the United States and have applied for asylum due to fear of persecution.
• Diversity Lottery Green Cards – These are available through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, also known as the Green Card Lottery. This program randomly selects individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S.
• Longtime Resident Green Cards – These are available to individuals who have lived in the U.S. for a significant period of time without legal status. Individuals must meet specific eligibility requirements, including proving that they have lived in the U.S. for at least 10 years, have good moral character, and can demonstrate that their removal would result in exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to their U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse, parent, or child.
• Conditional Green Cards – These are available to individuals who married a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or who have invested a substantial amount of money in a U.S. business. Conditional green cards are valid for two years, and individuals must apply to remove the conditions before the expiration date.

Different Types of Green Cards

There are different types of green cards within each category. Each green card type was created to serve a specific immigration purpose within each immigration category. All types of green cards are listed below:

Family-Based Green Cards

The following types of green cards are part of the family-based immigration category:

• IR-1 – Spouse of a U.S. citizen
• IR-2 – A United States citizen’s unmarried child under the age of 21
• IR-3 – An orphan adopted abroad by a U.S. citizen
• IR-4 – An orphan to be adopted in the United States by a U.S. citizen
• IR-5 – A United States citizen’s parent who is at least 21 years of age
• F-1 – Unmarried children of U.S. citizens and their minor children (under 21).
• F-2 – This green card type is divided into two parts:
  • F-2A: Spouses and unmarried children (under 21) of LPRs.
  • F-2B: Unmarried children (21 or older) of LPRs.

  The IR green card type has a preference over the F-type green card. This means the processing time for IR green cards is much faster than F green cards. The difference in processing time can be several years.

  Employment-Based Green Cards

  The following types of green cards are part of the employment-based immigration category:

  • EB-1 Green Card – Priority Workers
  • EB-2 Green Card – Professionals with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability
  • EB-3 Green Card – Skilled Workers and Professionals
  • EB-4 Green Card – Special Immigrants
  • EB-5 Green Card – Investors
  • H-1B Visa – Foreign workers engaged in specialty occupations requiring specialized knowledge and a minimum of a bachelor’s degree.
  • L-1 Visa – Intracompany transferees working for a company with offices in both the United States and abroad.
  • E-3 Visa – Australian citizens who will work in specialty occupations within the United States.
  • TN Visa – Canadian and Mexican citizens working in specific professional occupations under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
  • O-Visa – Individuals who possess exceptional ability in the fields of sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
  • P-Visa – Athletes, entertainers, and artists who will perform in the United States.
  • R-Visa – Religious workers who will work for a nonprofit religious organization within the United States.

  It is crucial to understand that EB-type green cards lead to permanent residency in the U.S. In contrast, all other employment green card types are non-immigrant visas, meaning they will not grant you permanent residency.

  

  Refugee and Asylee Green Cards

  The following types of green cards are part of the refugee and asylee green card category:

  • T visa – Available to those who have been subjected to severe human trafficking and have assisted law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of the crime.
  • U visa – Offered to individuals who have experienced significant physical or mental abuse while residing in the United States and have cooperated with law enforcement agencies.
  • VAWA Green Card – Granted to victims of domestic violence or abuse perpetrated by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse or parent.

  Diversity Lottery Green Cards

  The US Diversity Visa, also known as the Green Card Lottery, is an annual program randomly selecting applicants from countries with low immigration rates to the U.S. The program provides a path to permanent residency for up to 55,000 applicants who meet eligibility requirements. The requirements are: having a high school education or equivalent, or two years of work experience in a qualifying occupation. Applicants must also pass a background check and medical exam.

  Longtime-Resident Green Card

  A longtime-resident green card, also known as a cancellation of removal, is a legal status allowing certain non-citizens living in the U.S. for a long time to apply for a green card or permanent residency. To be eligible for a longtime-resident green card, you must have lived in the U.S. continuously for at least 10 years and have been physically present in the country for at least half of that time. You must also have no serious criminal convictions and demonstrate that your deportation would cause extreme hardship to you or your immediate family members who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

  Conditional Green Cards

  There are two types of conditional green cards, CR-1 and EB-5:

  • CR-1 – This green card is issued to a foreign national who marries a U.S. citizen, and they have been married for less than two years at the time of application for a green card.
  • EB-5 – This green card is issued to a foreign national that meets the qualifying investment amount in the U.S. The green card is issued to the principal applicant, their spouse, and children.

  For both types of conditional green cards, applicants must meet the conditions within 2 years of arrival in the U.S. and then apply to remove these conditions, allowing them to gain permanent residency.

  Requirements for a Green Card

  To apply for a green card in the United States, it is necessary to fulfill several requirements. These include having a valid passport that extends beyond the intended period of stay by at least six months and showing nonimmigrant intent for temporary visa applications. Additionally, some visa types require a petitioner who is either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident. Applicants for almost all visa types must attend a consular interview at a U.S. Embassy or consulate in their home country. Depending on the visa type, applicants may also need to demonstrate their proficiency in English and show that they have enough financial support to cover their expenses during their stay. Additionally, some visa categories require a medical examination to ensure that applicants are not carrying infectious diseases. All visa applicants must have a clean criminal record and have no involvement in any terrorist activities either abroad or within the United States.

  

  How to Apply for a Green Card

  Each immigration category and each green card type has its own unique application process, which involves specific forms and required documents. However, more or less, the general green card application process can be summarized in the following 6 steps:

  Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility – you must determine which immigration category and which green card type you are eligible for.

  Step 2: File a Petition – depending on your immigration type, you may need to file a petition or application with the appropriate government agency, or your employer would have to initiate the process. For example, if you are applying through family sponsorship, your U.S. citizen or permanent resident relative may need to file a petition on your behalf.

  Step 3: Wait for Approval – after you file your petition or application, you must wait for it to be approved. The processing time will depend on several factors, including the type of green card and the current backlog of applications.

  Step 4: Complete Biometrics – if your application is approved, you must complete biometrics, which typically involves taking your fingerprints and photograph.

  Step 5: Attend an Interview – you will also need to attend an interview with a USCIS officer. During the interview, the officer will ask questions about your background and application to ensure you meet all eligibility requirements.

  Step 6: Receive Decision – after the interview, you will receive a decision on your application. If approved, you will receive your green card.

  How Much is a Green Card?

  The expenses associated with U.S. green card can range from $1,200 to $8,000, depending on the type of green card you are applying for and the unique circumstances of your case. The immigration process incurs multiple fees, such as application fees, processing fees, and legal fees, which can vary based on the type of program – family, employer, student, or others. In some cases, it may be necessary to demonstrate that you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself and your dependents. This can involve presenting documentation of bank statements, investments, or a job offer that satisfies particular salary requirements.

  Form or Service