Through family ties
- Marriage to a U.S. citizen or resident
- If you are the parent, child, or sibling of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, there may be a way to obtain your residency.
As a victim
If you are a victim of a crime in the United States and were willing to cooperate with law enforcement.
If your child is in any branch of the armed forces, on active duty or in the reserves.
If you have been persecuted by the government or police of your home country due to your race, religion, nationality, political opinions, or membership in a particular group.
If you are under 21 years of age and have been abandoned or neglected by one or both parents.
If you have been persecuted by the government or police of your home country due to your race, religion, nationality, political opinions, or membership in a particular group.
Through employment
(These options are for those who entered the U.S. on a visa and have not overstayed)
EB-3 Visa
EB-3 Professionals, skilled workers, and others. Examples: engineer, specialty food chef/baker (such as sushi), specialized mechanic.
EB-2 Visa
EB-2 Professionals with advanced degrees, or persons with exceptional ability in the arts, sciences, or business.
EB-5 Visa
EB-5 For business investors who invest $1,050,000.00 or $800,000 (if the investment is made in a low-employment area) in a new enterprise that employs at least 10 full-time U.S. workers.
EB-1 Visa
EB-1 Persons with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics; outstanding professors or researchers; and multinational managers or executives.
EB-4 Visa
EB-4 “Special Immigrants,” which include certain religious workers, U.S. foreign service post employees, and retired officers of international organizations.
Non-immigrant visas
Non-immigrant visas are temporary visas, but they can lead to permanent resident visas. Some examples include:
L-1A Intra-company transferee executive or manager
The L-1A non-immigrant classification enables a U.S. employer to transfer an executive or manager from one of its affiliated foreign offices to one of its offices in the United States. This classification also enables a foreign company that does not yet have an affiliated U.S. office to send an executive or manager to the United States with the purpose of establishing one.
B1 Tourist visa.
Tourism is a short visit for vacation, to visit family and friends, or to receive medical treatment. These visas are obtained at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
F-1 or M-1 Student visa.
These student visas allow entry into the United States as a full-time student or for vocational training.
