There are many different ways of attaining your lawful permanent residence status and Green Card.  The most common methods are through Family based petitions and Employment based petitions.  However, there are several specific methods which some people may qualify for.

    Family Based Petitions

• Realtives of U.S. Citizens:
• Spouse
• Unmarried Child (under the age of 21)
• Unmarried Stepchild (under the aghe of 21)
• Adopted Child (under the age of 18)
• Parent
• Step-parent
• Unmarried son or Daughter (over the age of 21)
• Married son or daughter (any age)
• Brother or Sister
• Relatives of Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders)
• Spouse
  
• Unmarried Child (under the age of 21)
• Unmarried Stepchild (under the age of 21)
• Adopted Child (under the age of 18)
• Unmarried son or daughter

    Employment Based Petitions

• First Preference for Employment Based Petitions
• Persons with Extraordinary Ability
• Outstanding professors and researchers
• Managers and executives in multi-national companies and corporations
• Second Preference for Employment Based Petitions
• Professionals with advanced degrees
• Persons with exceptional ability
• Exceptional Professors and researchers
• Second Preference with National Interest Waivers (NIW)
• Persons with exceptional ability involved in activities that substantially benefit the national interest of the U.S.
  
• Advanced degree professionals that will substantially benefit the national interest of the U.S.
• Third Preference for Employment Based Petitions
• Professionals with a bachelor's degree from the U.S. or a foreign equivalent
• skilled workers
• unskilled workers
• Schedule A List
  
• Registered Nurses and Physical Therapists as described in Schedule A List
• Persons that may be qualified in one of the shortage occupations described in the Schedule A List.

    Green Card Lottery

    Investors

    Adoption

    Registry

    Private Bill

    Diplomats

    Asylum

    Refugee

    Special Immigrants