Green Cards

Employment-based Green Cards

EB-1: This preference is reserved for persons of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics; outstanding professors or researchers; and multinational executives and managers.

B-2: This preference is reserved for persons who are members of the professions holding advanced degrees or for persons with exceptional ability in the arts, sciences, or business.

B-3: This preference is reserved for professionals, skilled workers, and other workers.

Green Cards

Spouse

  • Petitioned by U.S. Citizens: There are visa numbers available.
  • Petitioned by Legal Permanent Residents: You would need to follow the visa bulletin under preference category 2A.

Children

  • Petitioned by U.S. Citizens:
  • Children of U.S. Citizens (under 21 years of age): Generally, the child is considered a U.S. Citizen at the time of birth.
  • Unmarried children of U.S. Citizens (21 years of age and older): You would need to follow the visa bulletin under the first preference category.
  • Married children of U.S. Citizens: You would need to follow the visa bulletin under the third preference category.
  • Petitioned by Legal Permanent Residents:
  • Children of Legal Permanent Residents (under 21 years of age): You would need to follow the visa bulletin under preference category 2A.
  • Unmarried children of Legal Permanent Residents (21 years of age and older): You would need to follow the visa bulletin under preference category 2B.
  • Legal Permanent Residents cannot petition for married children.

Parents

  • Petitioned by U.S. Citizens (adults): You would need to follow the visa bulletin under the fourth preference category.
  • Legal Permanent Residents cannot petition for parents.

Siblings

  • Petitioned by U.S. Citizens (adults): There are visa numbers available.
  • Legal Permanent Residents cannot petition for parents.

Temporary visas

  • Work visas
  • H-1B: Workers in a specialty occupation
  • L-1A: Intra-company transfer in a managerial or executive position.
  • L-1B: Intra-company transfer in a position utilizing specialized knowledge

Student visas

  • F-1: Students

Visitor visas

  • B-1: Temporary business visitor to conduct activities of a commercial or professional nature.
  • B-2: Tourist.

Naturalization

  • Generally, you may qualify for naturalization if you are at least 18 years of age and:
  • You have been a permanent resident for at least 5 years and meet all other eligibility requirements.
  • You have been a permanent resident for at least 3 years and meet all eligibility requirements to file as a spouse of a U.S. citizen.
  • You have qualifying service in the U.S. armed forces and meet all other eligibility requirements.