Green Cards
Our green card attorneys have obtained permanent residence for tens of thousands of our clients during the past 30 years through employment, marriage, relatives and investments (EB5). We explain how to obtain permanent residence (aka “Green Cards”) in the United States through each of these methods.
Most people obtain green cards by being sponsored by their relatives or through their employers. Others become permanent residents through EB-5 investments, the green card lottery or asylum. Our website contains dozens of articles explaining who qualifies for a green card and how the process works.
A green card enables a person to live and work in the United States for the rest of his life as long as he does not abandon his residence by staying outside the US for too long a time or engage in conduct which renders him subject to deportation.
Most persons who are residing in the U.S. are eligible adjust their status to permanent residence without leaving the U.S. However, if you have ever violated your lawful immigration status, you may be eligible to adjust your status only if you: (1) Are an “immediate relative” of a U.S. citizen (Parent, spouse or child); (2) Qualify for benefits under section 245(i) of the law and pay an appropriate fine; (3) Qualify under section 245(k) of the law as an employment-based immigrant; or (4) Qualify under section 209 if you are an asylee or a refugee.
This page also describes the process of obtaining an immigrant visa abroad if a person is either residing in a foreign country, or does not wish to adjust status in the U.S. However, if you are ineligible to adjust status to permanent resident in the U.S, be sure to carefully read our section entitled Unlawful Presence Bars and Waivers before you decide whether to attempt to obtain an immigrant visa abroad.
Scroll down this page to learn how you can qualify to receive a green card, or how you can sponsor an employee or a relative for permanent residence.
“Extremely happy with the service. Fees are very reasonable for the quality of service that they provide. Hired their services a few years ago after 2 lawyers told me my case was hopeless and advised me to go back to my country of origin. I got my greencard December 2011.” (More client reviews…)
Permanent Residence (aka “Green Cards”) is divided into the following subtopics:
- Success Stories
- Green Cards – General Information
- Special Categories of Immigrants
- Green Card Renewal/Replacement
- Green Card Videos
Related Pages:
- Green Cards through Employment
- Green Cards through Family Members
- Employment Authorization Documents (EADs)
- Asylum
- Diversity Visa Lottery
- Section 245i
- Unlawful Presence and 3/10 Year and Permanent Bars
- Adjustment of Status
- 180-Day Portability Rule
- Consular Processing
- Child Status Protection Act
GREEN CARDS – SUCCESS STORIES

- Green Card for a Person of Extraordinary Ability (February 2010)
- My First Argument Before the 9th Circuit (June 2009)
- Erroneous I-140 Denial is Overturned (May 2009)
- Green Cards through Humanitarian Reinstatement (November 2008)
- 245(i) – Turning Denials into Approvals (September 2008)
- Establishing That a Job Offer is Permanent (June 2008)
- The Best Laid Plans Often Go Astray (October 2007)
- Immigrants Who Became Permanent Residents on July 1st (August 2007)
- Fixing a Poorly-Handled Immigration Case (for an Accountant) (November 2006)
- Rules of Engagement: Obtaining a Green Card for a Fiance (the Hard Way) (October 2006)
- Saving a Scientist’s NIW from Revocation (September 2006)
- Upgrading Your Applications at DOL & CIS (July 2006)
- Overcoming Backlog Elimination “Centeritis” (May 2006)
- Brazilians Ride Skateboards to Wealth and Fame (January 2006)
- Demonstrating Extraordinary Ability (December 2005)
- Researcher and Systems Engineer: “What a Difference a Day Made” (October 2005)
- Professional Athlete – “Curveball: The Immigration Officer Who Knew Too Much” (May 2005)
- Employment-Based Immigration: Cancer Research Center (March 2005)
- Engineers and Nurses (November 2004)
- President Clinton Signs Bill on Behalf of Our Client Guy Taylor (November 2000)
- Artist Wins Right to Stay in U.S.
GREEN CARDS – GENERAL INFORMATION
- Welcome to the U.S.: A Guide for New Immigrants (USCIS)
- How Do I Know What My Responsibilities Are? (USCIS)
- How Do I Change My Address With USCIS? (USCIS)
- How Do I Get a Reentry Permit? (USCIS)
- How the Survivors’ Law Works
- False Claims to Citizenship Memo 1998 (USCIS)
- Immigrant Visa Applicants Registered at the National Visa Center as of November 1, 2011
- USCIS To Issue Redesigned Green Card – Fact Sheet (May 11, 2010)
- USCIS To Issue Redesigned Green Card – Q & A (May 11, 2010)
- Annual report of Immigrant Visa Applicants in the Family-sponsored and Employment-based preferences registered at the National Visa Center (11-01-09)
- USCIS to Issue Employment Authorization and Advance Parole Card for Adjustment of Status Applicants
- Estimates of U.S. Legal Permanent Resident Population: 2011 (DHS)
- U.S. Legal Permanent Residents: 2010 (DHS)
- Yearbook of Immigration Statistics: 2010 (DHS)
SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF IMMIGRANTS
- Allied Health Professionals
- Asylees and Refugees
- International Adoptions
- Investors
- Physicians
- Recent University Graduates
- Registered Nurses
GREEN CARD RENEWAL/REPLACEMENT
- How Do I Renew or Replace My Permanent Resident Card? (USCIS)
- How Do I Renew My Green Card? (USCIS)
- Renewing Green Cards Without an Expiration Date (8-22-07)
GREEN CARD VIDEOS
- How to Obtain a Green Card Through Marriage
Immigrants who marry U.S. citizens are considered “immediate relatives” when obtaining green cards, freeing them from quota restrictions and allowing them to adjust their status to permanent residents.
- Green Cards for Family Members
U.S. citizens may sponsor their spouses, parents, children, and siblings for green cards while green card holders may apply for their spouses and unmarried children.
- Green Cards Through Employment
This video discusses how to obtain permanent residence in the U.S. through employment and explains the different employment-based (EB) categories.
- Adjustment of Status
This video explains the process of “Adjustment of Status”, legal jargon for obtaining permanent residence without having to leave the United States.
- Adjustment of Status Through Section 245(i)
Section 245(i) of the immigration law allows certain persons who have overstayed their visas or entered the United States without papers to adjust their status to permanent residents.
- How the Child Status Protection Act Can Help You (Part 1)
This video explains the fundamentals of the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA), including how to freeze the immigration age of children so they remain immediate relatives

