Process of getting a Green Card in US

There are several ways to get Permanent Residence (Green Card) in the US. By getting a Green Card, you can live and work in the US permanently.

Following are the ways to qualify for a Green Card in the US-----

1. Green Card through Family Based immigration---

a. Relatives of US citizens—These include Spouse, parent/stepparent, unmarried child/unmarried stepchild (below 21 years of age), 
adopted child (below 18 years of age), unmarried son/daughter (above 21 years of age), married son/daughter (any age), brother/sister.

b. Relatives of Green Card holders—Spouse, unmarried child/stepchild (below 21 years of age), adopted child (below 18 years of 
age), unmarried son/daughter (above 21 years of age). 

2. Employer based Green Card—
An employer is entitled to sponsor the Green Card of his employee. The process of permanent residence to the overseas nationals is 
based on the skills possessed by the employees.

These categories include---EB1, EB2, EB3, EB4 and EB5.
• EB1(Priority Workers)---- Employees possessing extraordinary ability in science, business, education, arts or athletics, researchers, professors and holders of PhD degrees are included in EB1. Those working in the position of executives and managers on the 
basis of international transfer (Company transfer L1 holder). 
• EB2----Those possessing extraordinary ability in science, business or arts and higher professional degree holders.
• EB3----This category includes professionals possessing graduate degree and other skilled workers.

Majority of the skilled/professional workers belong to first 3 categories. 

3. Investment-Based Green Card—
 Any foreign entrepreneur who employs at least ten US citizens and makes investments ranging between $500K to $1 Million US dollars in a new business enterprise or any lawful Permanent Residents are eligible for getting a Green Card. Every year, 10,000 
immigrant visas are issued under this category and are aimed to encourage foreign investment and employment. 

4. Adoption—
Children below 16 years of age adopted by either green card holders or US citizens.

5. Diplomats—
High level diplomats who either don’t want to or are unable to return to their native country due to persecution or fear of persecution.

6. Registry—
Foreign nationals residing in the US since 1st January, 1972.

7. Private Bill—
Foreign nationals who cannot be granted permanent resident status by the USCIS but are believed by Congress to be having compelling humanitarian reasons to stay in the US permanently. 

8. Refugee—
• Foreign nationals who have either experienced persecution or have fear of persecution in the future.
• Foreign nationals having displaced by civil/political unrest, war, famine or unwilling/unable to return to their native country either due to persecution or due to fear of persecution.

9. Asylum—
Foreign nationals in the US who are either unwilling or unable to go back to their native country due to persecution or fear of persecution on account of religion, nationality, race or membership in a specific political or social group. 

10. Special immigrant based—
Certain immigrants including retired international organization officials, former government and military officials, medical doctors, religious workers.  

11. Green Card lottery--- 
Winners of the Green Card lottery by the US are provided green card. Each year, 50,000 green card are issued through a lottery to people from countries with low rates of immigration to the US.