What is a Green Card?
As per the United States Department of Homeland Security report of 2023, there are an estimated 12.7 million green card holders, of whom 9 million are eligible to become United States citizens.
A green card is also known as a Permanent resident card, provided by US citizenship immigration services to a non-citizen who aspires to live and work in the US lawfully permanently. It acts as proof that a person has the status of a permanent resident of the United States. It has multiple benefits, such as:
- Live permanently in the US
- Work legally in most jobs except for positions reserved for US citizens.
- Travel abroad for a longer period without fearing losing your entry back to the US
- You can also sponsor certain family members for immigration.
- Eventually, you can apply for US citizenship and become a citizen through naturalization (after meeting the eligibility requirements)
How to Obtain a Green Card?
Obtaining a green card depends upon individual circumstances, which means you will have to determine your eligibility to obtain a Green Card.
This usually depends on family relationships, employment, special immigrant categories, refugee or asylee status, or other eligibility categories. The following are the general steps that are followed in obtaining a green card:
- There exist forms that are particular to your eligibility, for which you have to file a petition with the USCIS. In most cases, where you already have a person living there known as a sponsor, they can be a family member, employer, (or even the applicant themselves) and are required to file a petition with USCIS to begin the process.
- Once you are done with the petition and it is approved, the applicant must either apply for Adjustment of Status if already in the US or go through Consular Processing if applying abroad.
- After that, you will be scheduled for a biometrics appointment to take fingerprints, photos, and signatures for a background check by USCIS.
- After the biometrics, the applicants are usually called in for an interview to verify information and determine eligibility.
- If everything goes well and all the eligibility requirements are met, USCIS will notify the applicant that their Green Card application has been approved.
What are the types of Green Cards?
Family-Based Green Card
These green cards are usually used by the immediate relatives of US citizens and lawful permanent residents, such as spouses, children, and parents, who can apply. This is the most common method of application. The forms used in family-based green cards are:
Employment-Based Green Card
These are used by individuals who are obtaining their green card either by being sponsored by an employer or by investing in the US economy.
Refugees and Asylee Green Card
USCIS provides green cards to many refugees and individuals granted asylum yearly as they are under specific eligibility requirements and are allowed to apply for a Green Card one year after entering the US.
Longtime Resident Green Cards
Immigrants living in the United States for a longer time can apply for a permanent residency green card, demonstrating certain eligibility requirements and also that removal from the country will cause hardship to their family in the US with green card.
Diversity Lottery Green Cards
These are obtained through the Green Card Lottery program, which randomly selects individuals from countries with low immigration rates to the United States.
Conditional Green Cards
These are typically issued to individuals married to U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and to those who have made significant investments in the U.S. economy. To obtain permanent residency, the conditions on these green cards must be removed.
What are the fees required to Obtain a Green Card?
There are several ways to obtain a Green Card, each involving different forms depending on the applicant’s circumstances and hence attracting different fees. Below is a list of forms used in Green Card applications, with brief descriptions and filing fees for applicants living in the United States and those applying abroad.
| Fee Type | Cost for Applicant Living in the US | Cost for Applicant Living Abroad | Processing time (estimated) |
| Petition for Alien Relative (I-130) | $675 | $675 | 11.5 months |
| Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (I-485) | $1,440 | Not applicable | 9.2 months (Family-based) 6.4 months (Employment-based) |
| Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (I-485) (Child under 14 filing with parent) | $950 | Not applicable | 6-12 months |
| Affidavit of support (I-864) | $120 | $120 | 9.3 months |
| Application for Employment Authorization (I-765) | $520 $260 (adjustment of of status) | Not applicable | 3 months |
| Travel Permit Application Form (I-131) | $630 | Not applicable | 4-6 months |
| Biometrics (Fingerprints & Photo) | Included in the filing fee | Included in the filing fee | |
| H-1B Visa | $780 | 3–5 months | |
| State Department Processing (DS-260) | Not applicable | $325 | About 3 weeks |
| Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)) | $675 | $675 | 3-6 months |
| USCIS Immigrant Fee | Not applicable | $220 | |
| Medical Examination | $150-$600 (Varies) | $150-$600 (Varies) | |
| Form I-765 | $520 | 3 months | |
| Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) | $700 | Not applicable | 6.9 months |
| Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) | $750 | Not applicable | 14 to 24 Months |
| Form I-907 (Premium Processing for I-140) | $1,685 – $2,805 | Not applicable | 15 days |
| Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card) | $405 (Online) $455 (Paper) | Not applicable | 1.5 and 13.5 months |
| Vaccination Fees | $100-$300 (Varies) | $100-$300 (Varies) | |
| Translation Services Fees | $20-$40 per page | $20-$40 per page | |
| Document Fees | $10-$50 per document | $10-$50 per document | |
| Professional Photography Fees | $10-$30 | $10-$30 | |
| Travel Expenses | Varies | Varies | |
| Shipping Costs | $5-$20 per package | $5-$20 per package |
How to make payment to get a US green card?
The payment mode of your credit card filing fees usually depends upon where you are that is whether you are inside the United States or outside of it. This will include the biometrics and other services that are required depending on the form type you are submitting.
For Those Outside the US
If you live outside the United States, you will have to go to the forms section of the USCIS website to determine if you can file the form at an international office.
Not all payment methods are accepted abroad, so you should check with the appropriate International USCIS office or the US Embassy or Consulate where you plan to file.
For Those Inside the US
If you’re inside the United States, there are multiple ways to do it, depending on the form you are filling out. You can usually pay online using a credit card or bank withdrawal and if you want to do it by mail then you can make your payment by a credit card, personal check, bank draft, or money order. When you are using bank drafts, cashier’s checks, certified checks, personal or business checks, and money orders to pay fees make sure that these must be drawn from a US financial institution and be payable in US dollars.
However, if you are submitting Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) at a USCIS field office to request emergency advance parole, you can only pay by credit card or personal/business check.
Submitting Multiple Applications
Remember that if you are submitting multiple petitions, the filing fee for each must be paid separately. If you submit one combined payment for several forms, your whole package may be rejected.
What are the latest changes in green card fees in 2024 by USCIS?
For the first time in seven years, USCIS fees have been increased, and other changes have also been made, starting from April 1, 2024. These changes will affect applications for work visas, permanent residency visas, and naturalization. They have also made a provision that if you file your application online, you can save up to $50 in fees.
You will have to visit the USCIS fee schedule page to confirm the fee for your application, as the fees have increased, and for some of the forms, they have been reduced as well however you can refer to the table above as well for significant forms.
For example, if you file for naturalization (Form N-400) or to replace a green card (Form I-90) online, you may pay a lower fee. However, if you’re filing Form I-485 to adjust your status and need a travel document (Form I-131) or employment authorization (Form I-765), you’ll need to pay a separate fee for each.
The website has mandated that only the new versions of the forms will be accepted. Forms like I-129 and I-140 must be filed with the 04/01/24 edition, or they will be rejected.
Conclusion
There are multiple ways to get a green card, but it is a complex yet essential process for all individuals who aim to permanently live and work in the United States. One can get a green card on the basis of family, employment, and refugees and asylees, but at the same time, it is important to determine which category you are eligible for.
Given the stakes involved in securing a green card, ranging from the ability to work legally in the US to eventually applying for citizenship, careful preparation, attention to requirements, and timely filing are crucial for a successful application process.
Now, the ball is in your court! If you dream of calling the US home, take the first step, the rewards of holding a Green Card can lead to a lifetime of opportunities for you and your family. Start your journey today!
