How to get a Green Card

Knowing how to get a Green Card in the United States and how much a first-time Green Card costs is one of the most common questions. Generally, to obtain it you must:

• Apply under one of the categories provided by immigration law;
• Meet the specific eligibility requirements; and 
• File the application with the required documentation before USCIS or a U.S. consulate.

In addition, in September 2025, the White House announced the Gold Card, a program that would allow obtaining lawful permanent residence through a significant donation to the government. This initiative is still in the implementation phase and does not replace the official methods for getting a Green Card.

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This guide provides clear, up-to-date information on every path to residency, the 2025 costs and timelines, plus practical tips to avoid mistakes that can lead to denials.

What it is, how to get a Green Card, and what it allows in the United States

The Green Card is the document that proves a foreign national is a lawful permanent resident of the United States. To obtain it, you must: 

1. Apply under one of the eligibility categories (family, employment, asylum, Diversity Visa lottery, among others);
2. Meet the specific requirements of the relevant category; and 
3. File through USCIS if you are in the U.S., or through a consulate or embassy if you are abroad. 

Main rights a Green Card grants

• Live and work in the U.S.
• Sponsor a spouse and unmarried children.
• Access certain federal benefits after meeting eligibility and time requirements.

Green Card limitations

• Does not grant the right to vote.
• Prolonged absences can jeopardize status.
• Fraud or serious crimes can lead to revocation.

These are the essentials; each right and limitation has exceptions and additional rules that should be reviewed case by case.

If you want a clear guide on how to get a Green Card without common mistakes, continue with the eligibility categories and the step-by-step overview.

Eligibility categories to get a Green Card in 2025

There are several ways to obtain lawful permanent residence in the United States. Each one responds to different circumstances and has specific requirements. They include:

1. Family petition

The most common way to obtain lawful permanent residence through a family petition filed by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

Requirements and wait times vary depending on the sponsor’s status. This category aims at family reunification and provides that:

• Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens: Spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of citizens 21 or older. They are prioritized and not subject to annual visa caps, though they must still complete the review and approval process.
• Other relatives: Such as adult or married children and siblings, who fall under the family preference categories and are subject to annual quotas, resulting in potentially long waiting lists.
• The process begins when the sponsoring relative files Form I-130 with USCIS.

2. Employment-based

Immigrant workers can apply for a Green Card through different employment-based categories, each with specific requirements:

• EB-1: Individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business or athletics; outstanding professors and researchers; and certain multinational executives and managers.
• EB-2: Professionals with an advanced degree or persons with exceptional ability. Includes the National Interest Waiver, which allows applying without a job offer in specific cases.
• EB-3: Skilled workers (at least 2 years’ experience), professionals with a bachelor’s degree, and other workers for non-temporary, non-seasonal jobs.
• EB-4: Special immigrants, such as religious workers, employees of international organizations, certain translators, physicians serving in underserved areas, and minors with Special Immigrant Juvenile status.
• EB-5: Investors who contribute at least $800,000 in targeted employment areas or $1,050,000 in other areas, creating at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.

Gold Card (golden visa)

On September 19, 2025, the White House announced, via executive order, the creation of the Gold Card, a new immigration pathway intended to attract large financial contributions made directly to the U.S. Government.

Key preliminary points to understand this project:

• Contribution amount: The minimum is $1 million if made by the applicant, or $2 million if coming from a company they own.
• Implementation: The Department of Commerce, in coordination with the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has 90 days to establish the official procedure, fees, and applicable requirements.
• Current status: The program is still being implemented and cannot be applied for until the final rules are published in the Federal Register.
• Differences from EB-5: Unlike the EB-5 visa, the Gold Card is based on a direct donation as the basis for granting lawful permanent residence.

3. Refugees and asylees

Another way to get a Green Card is through refugee or asylee status. Those who have received this protection may apply for lawful permanent residence after one year from admission to the United States. They must:

• Meet the main requirement: Have maintained refugee or asylee status for at least one year; and
• File the proper form: Submit Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) with USCIS to adjust to lawful permanent resident.

4. Humanitarian programs

Several humanitarian options allow victims of abuse, violence, or certain crimes to apply for a Green Card. These pathways are designed to offer protection and a chance to settle legally in the United States:

• VAWA (Violence Against Women Act): Allows spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who suffered battery or extreme cruelty to self-petition for a Green Card, without relying on the abuser.
• U visa: For victims of certain crimes in the U.S. such as violence, kidnapping, or sexual assault, who assist authorities in the investigation or prosecution.
• T visa: For trafficking victims present in the U.S. who meet eligibility requirements, including cooperation with authorities when required.
• SIJ (Special Immigrant Juvenile Status): For unmarried minors under 21 in the U.S. who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected. 

5. Diversity Visa Program (visa lottery)

Each year the U.S. Department of State runs a lottery to allocate approximately 50,000 diversity visas to people from countries with low immigration rates to the U.S. The process includes:

• Registration: Free and done exclusively online during the annual period announced by the Department of State.
• Selection: Completely random and subject to limited quotas by country and region.
• Next steps: Selectees must meet eligibility requirements and complete consular processing to obtain lawful permanent residence.

6. Other special categories

There are several particular situations that can also lead to a Green Card:

• Registry: For people who have continuously resided in the U.S. since before January 1, 1972.
• Special country-specific laws: Includes programs such as the Cuban Adjustment Act, the Liberian refugee program, or benefits under certain Indochinese laws, among others.
• Children of foreign diplomats: Born in the U.S. under specific conditions that allow them to adjust status.
• Cancellation of removal: For certain immigrants in removal proceedings who meet criteria such as long continuous physical presence and good moral character.

Differences between adjustment of status and consular processing

Choosing correctly between adjustment of status or consular processing is key to how to get a Green Card more safely and in the shortest possible time.

There are two main routes to apply for a Green Card, depending on where the applicant is located:

• Adjustment of status (Inside the U.S.) is filed with Form I-485 and allows the applicant to remain lawfully in the country while the case is processed, provided they are eligible.
• Consular processing (Outside the U.S.) is done with Form DS-260, handled by the National Visa Center (NVC) and then by the relevant embassy or consulate. It is required when the applicant is abroad or ineligible for adjustment.

Factors to weigh when choosing

Before deciding between adjustment of status and consular processing, consider factors that may affect the best option:

• Current place of residence: If you are already in the U.S. with lawful status, adjustment of status may be more convenient.
• Immigration eligibility: Those who entered without inspection or have certain bars may need consular processing unless a waiver applies.
• Wait time: Timelines vary by immigration category, visa availability, country of origin, and USCIS/consular workloads.

Practical example:

• Laura entered on an F-1 student visa and married a U.S. citizen. Because she maintains valid status, she can use adjustment of status and avoid leaving the country.
• Andrés lives in Peru and has an approved I-130 by his U.S. citizen wife; since he is abroad, he must complete consular processing with Form DS-260 at his embassy or consulate.

Documents required to apply for a Green Card

To obtain lawful permanent residence, each applicant must file specific forms according to their category and include supporting evidence.

A key part of how to get a Green Card is properly assembling those forms and evidence to prove eligibility. Below is a summary of the most common:

Form	For whom?	Note
I-130	Family petitions	Foundation of family cases
I-140	Employment (EB-2/EB-3)	May require PERM
I-360	VAWA, R visa, SIJ	Self-petition possible
I-526	EB-5 investors	Job-creation requirements
I-485 / DS-260	Adjustment / Consular	Depends on location
I-693	Medical exam	Civil surgeon required

Common additional evidence: passport or birth certificate, bona fide marriage proof (joint bank accounts, lease), immigration history (I-94, prior visas) and the medical exam with Form I-693.

Special cases 

• Refugees and asylees: Include the USCIS approval notice.
• VAWA: Evidence of abuse (medical, police, or similar reports) is required.
• Diversity Visa: The official Department of State selection notice is required.
• SIJ: Review the SIJS requirements to confirm the applicable documentation.

General steps to apply for a Green Card

1. File the immigrant petition

The first step is to formally start the immigration process:

• It is usually filed by a sponsor (relative or employer).
• In some cases, you may self-petition, such as VAWA, EB-1 for persons of extraordinary ability, or EB-2 with a National Interest Waiver.

2. Wait for petition approval

Once the petition is filed, USCIS reviews the case:

• USCIS reviews the form (I-130, I-140, I-360, etc.) and, if approved, issues a Notice of Action (Form I-797).
• If the category is subject to caps, the applicant must wait for their priority date to be current in the Department of State’s Visa Bulletin before filing for residence.

3. File for lawful permanent residence

Once the petition is approved and a visa is available, it’s time to formally apply for the Green Card with the following forms:

• I-485 if you are in the U.S. (adjustment of status).
• DS-260 if you are outside the U.S. (consular processing).

4. Biometrics appointment

After filing the application, USCIS will send a notice to take your biometrics.

• USCIS will schedule you at an authorized center to capture fingerprints, photos, and signature.
• These are used for background and security checks.

5. Interview

The final stage usually includes an interview to confirm the information provided:

• In most cases, an interview at USCIS or the consulate is required.
• They verify the authenticity of documents and ask case-related questions (e.g., marriage relationship, employment, immigration history).

6. Final decision

After completing all steps, USCIS issues a decision on your application:

• If approved and you adjusted status in the U.S., you will receive your Green Card by mail.
• If you completed consular processing, you receive an immigrant visa, enter the U.S. as a resident, and then USCIS mails the Green Card to your U.S. address.
• If denied, USCIS will send a letter explaining the reasons and possible appeals or motions.

Practical example: A U.S. citizen’s sibling in the F4 category (Mexico), after Form I-130 is approved, must wait until their priority date advances in the Visa Bulletin. They cannot file Form I-485 until the category becomes current.

Tracking Green Card delivery

Once approved, USCIS or the consulate will send either the Green Card or the immigrant visa. It’s important to track delivery to avoid delays, loss, or issues:

Ways to monitor status

To make sure the card arrives properly, there are several tools and services to track shipment and receive real-time alerts:

• USCIS online account: Check case updates, confirm when the card was mailed, and in some cases access tracking numbers.
• Informed Delivery (USPS): Free service that sends email/text alerts about incoming mail. While it doesn’t always show the Green Card, it helps anticipate delivery day.

Note: If the system shows “delivered” but you didn’t receive it: Contact your local USPS office and, if it cannot be located, notify USCIS to request re-mailing per official procedure.

Address updates

To avoid delivery issues, keep your address current throughout the process:

• USCIS: Notify via Form AR-11 or the online change-of-address tool.
• USPS: Update your address there as well to ensure proper mail forwarding.

Failing to update your address can result in lost documents or even the need to restart the process.

Practical example: “USCIS marked the card as mailed but it never arrived. The applicant activated Informed Delivery to spot the delivery day; then filed an AR-11 address change and USCIS re-mailed the card.”

Special cases to understand how to get a Green Card

In certain scenarios, a solid grasp of exceptions and humanitarian programs is key to understanding how to get a Green Card when the traditional paths don’t apply. These are the most common cases and their limits:

• Green Card with a tourist visa (B-1/B-2): It does not directly grant residence, but status may be adjusted through marriage to a U.S. citizen or other eligible categories.
• Undocumented individuals: Those who entered without inspection or overstayed are generally ineligible, except through paths like VAWA or cancellation of removal before an immigration judge.
• Waivers: Allow overcoming inadmissibility grounds such as unlawful presence, certain criminal records, or immigration fraud.
• Special relief: Includes humanitarian parole, country-specific programs (Cuban, Liberian, or Haitian adjustments), and TPS, which doesn’t directly grant a Green Card but may support eligibility for other benefits.

How much does a first-time Green Card cost in 2025?

For those applying for a first-time Green Card, total expenses depend on your eligibility category and the required forms.

Main fees

• Form I-485 (adjustment of status): $1,440 for most applicants.
  • Children under 14 filing with at least one parent pay $950.
  • The $85 biometrics fee is included.
• Form I-130 (family petition): $625 online or $675 paper.
• Form I-140 (employment petition): $715. Most employers must also pay an Asylum Program fee of $300 to $600.
• USCIS immigrant fee: $235 (only for those who receive the immigrant visa abroad).

Additional costs

• Medical exam (I-693): $200–$500 depending on the civil surgeon.
• I-765 (work permit): $470 online or $520 paper.
• I-131 (travel document): $630.
• Certified translations: $20–$50 per page, depending on language and provider.
• Attorney’s fees: Often $2,000–$6,000+, depending on case complexity.

Total estimate

On average, a self-filed case costs $2,000–$5,000 in fees and services. With attorney’s fees, the total can exceed $7,000.

Practical example: A couple applying for a marriage-based Green Card must pay for the I-485 and the medical exam. The total is usually $1,300–$2,000 for basic fees and services, excluding attorney’s fees. Before filing, we recommend checking the official USCIS fee schedule to confirm current amounts.

How much does a first-time Green Card cost if I adjust status?

Applying for a first-time Green Card through adjustment of status costs:

• Form I-485: $1,440 (biometrics included in most cases).
• Form I-130: $625 online or $675 paper, if filing under a family category.
• Medical exam: $200–$500, depending on the civil surgeon.
• Other optional forms (such as I-765 for a work permit or I-131 for a travel document) may add fees.

Always verify the USCIS Fee Schedule before paying, as fees can change.

How long does Green Card approval take?

Processing time is a key factor in how to get a Green Card, as it drives the applicant’s personal planning and next steps.

Processing times depend on the type of application and USCIS/consular workloads.

Estimated timelines in 2025

• Adjustment of status: Usually 8–10 months if a visa is available and the case is straightforward.
• Family petitions: Immediate relatives often take 8–14 months; family preference categories with waitlists can take much longer.
• Consular processing: After petition approval, timing can range from a few months to over a year, depending on country and embassy/consulate appointment availability.
• Employment-based cases: May take longer if they require PERM labor certification or if the visa category is backlogged—often 1–2 years or more.
• Asylee/refugee-based filings: In most cases, you must wait at least one year after asylum is granted before filing for a Green Card.

Factors that cause delays

Timeframes can increase if:

• The petition is incomplete or has errors.
• There is a high case volume at the local USCIS office or consulate.
• More extensive security/background checks are required.
• Embassies or consulates face staffing shortages or closures.

How to check processing times

• USCIS “Check Case Processing Times” online tool.
• USCIS online account for personalized notifications.
• Inquiries to the National Visa Center (NVC) for consular cases.

Denials and how to appeal a Green Card application

Even when many applicants meet the requirements, USCIS can deny a Green Card for several common reasons. 

Knowing these causes is essential to prevent errors and respond effectively if you receive a denial.

Common reasons for denial

USCIS can refuse an application for various reasons, often related to eligibility or file issues:

• Medical inadmissibility: Certain communicable diseases, missing required vaccines, or conditions posing a public-health risk.
• Serious criminal history: Especially drug, violent, or crimes involving moral turpitude.
• Fraud or misrepresentation: Submitting false information or altered documents.
• Insufficient evidence: Not providing enough documents or submitting incomplete ones.
• Prolonged unlawful presence: Remaining without status without the required waiver.
• National security concerns: Flagged during background checks.

What to do if your application is denied

A denial does not always mean the end. Depending on the reason, there are ways to challenge or correct the decision:

• Motion to reopen: Submit new evidence that was not previously considered (usual deadline: 30 days from the decision).
• Motion to reconsider: Argue that USCIS misapplied the law or made an error in interpretation.
• Refiling: In some cases, it is better to file a new, corrected application.
• Defense in immigration court: If referred to a judge, you may seek alternative relief such as cancellation of removal, asylum, or adjustment under other categories.

Was your application denied or are you in removal proceedings? Our immigration lawyers specializing in deportation can help. Call us.

Why legal counsel matters

Professional help can be the difference between a final denial and approval. An experienced immigration attorney will: 

• Analyze the decision;
• Identify the best strategy; and 
• File the needed motions or appeals within the required deadlines.

Practical example: A case was denied due to insufficient marriage evidence. With an attorney’s help, the applicant filed a motion to reopen attaching new joint bank statements, a lease, and dated photos. USCIS reconsidered and approved the Green Card.

Green Card renewal, replacement, and maintenance

Keeping your Green Card in good condition is essential to avoid problems with status, travel, or employment.

Renewal

• The regular card is valid for 10 years.
• To renew, file Form I-90, preferably 6 months before expiration.
• If your residence is conditional (2 years), you must file:
  • I-751 (marriage-based residence).
  • I-829 (investment-based residence).

Replacement

You must request a replacement with Form I-90 when:

• The card is lost, stolen, or destroyed.
• It contains incorrect information or USCIS errors.
• Your name or other data have legally changed.
• The originally issued card was never received.

Maintenance

Beyond renewing, a lawful permanent resident must meet ongoing obligations to maintain lawful permanent residence:

• Reside primarily in the U.S. and avoid long absences (+6 months can raise questions; +1 year requires a reentry permit).
• File taxes as a resident.
• Register with the Selective Service (males 18–26).
• Maintain good moral character, avoiding crimes that may lead to loss of residence.

Frequently asked questions about how to get a Green Card

What is the difference between a lawful permanent resident and a U.S. citizen?

A lawful permanent resident can live and work legally in the U.S. but cannot vote or hold public office. 

A U.S. citizen has full constitutional rights, including voting and eligibility for a U.S. passport.

How often must I renew my Green Card?

A Green Card is valid for 10 years and must be renewed with Form I-90 before it expires. If residence is conditional (2 years), you must request removal of conditions with Form I-751.

Can I lose my Green Card if I live outside the U.S.?

Yes. If you remain outside the country for more than 12 months without a reentry permit, you may be deemed to have abandoned residence. Even absences longer than 6 months can raise questions.

Can I get a Green Card through marriage to a U.S. citizen?

Yes. This is one of the most common paths, but you must prove the marriage is bona fide and not for immigration convenience. Initial residence will be conditional for 2 years.

Can I work anywhere with a Green Card?

Yes. Lawful permanent residents are authorized to work for any employer or in any sector without needing a separate work permit.

Conclusion: how to get a Green Card with an attorney’s help

Getting a Green Card is one of the most important milestones in an immigrant’s life, opening the door to applying for U.S. citizenship in the future.

However, the process can be complex and risky if you make mistakes in the application.

At Lluis Law, our immigration lawyers in Los Angeles offer:

• Proven experience: Over 60 years of combined practice in immigration cases.
• Personalized attention: Detailed evaluation of your case and selection of the most suitable path.
• End-to-end guidance: From preparing forms to the final USCIS interview.

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If you want to secure your future and your family’s in the United States, don’t leave it to chance. Contact us today for a confidential consultation and get the guidance that can increase your chances of success.