General Eligibility

• You must be eligible for immigrant status as defined by the Immigration and Nationality Act, have a qualifying petition approved, obtain an immigrant visa and be admissible to the United States.
  
  

Family

• The easiest way to obtain a green card is to be an immediate family member of a United States citizen. Your family must file petition I-130 on your behalf. There are always visas available.
  
  

Employment

• The United States Department of Labor must issue you a certified document stating why you are the best person for the job. Your potential employer must file petition I-140 on your behalf.
  
  

Refugee/Asylee

• If you are admitted to the United States as a refugee, after one year of residence, you are required to apply for a green card. This is not true for asylees.
  
  

Additional Options

• There is an extensive list of other ways to obtain a green card and their specific requirements at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services website.