Permanent residency through employment for workers with job offers, advanced degrees, or extraordinary ability.
- Typical time
- 1-5+ years (depends on category and country of birth)
- Typical cost
- $5,000 - $15,000+ (employer often pays)
- Main forms
Requires a US employer sponsor (except EB-1A/EB-2 NIW), labor certification (PERM), and an approved immigrant petition.
What it requires, and what it costs you →Show less
Requires
- Job offer from US employer (except EB-1A self-petition and EB-2 NIW)
- Labor certification (PERM) for most EB-2 and all EB-3 categories
- Approved I-140 petition
- Current priority date per visa bulletin
Costs you
- Long wait times, especially for India and China born applicants
- Tied to employer until I-485 filed (180+ days for portability)
- PERM labor certification is complex and slow
- Visa bulletin backlogs can add years
In its favour
- Path to permanent residency and eventually citizenship
- Employer often covers legal fees
- Spouse and children under 21 can be included
- EB-1A and EB-2 NIW allow self-petition without employer
Where to start
- Determine your EB category (EB-1, EB-2, or EB-3)
- If EB-1A: Gather evidence of extraordinary ability
- If EB-2/3: Have employer file PERM labor certification
- File I-140 immigrant petition
- Wait for priority date to become current
- File I-485 adjustment of status or consular processing
Permanent residency through a qualifying family relationship with a US citizen or permanent resident.
- Typical time
- Immediate relatives: 6-18 months. Preference categories: 2-23+ years.
- Typical cost
- $2,000 - $8,000
- Main forms
Must have a qualifying US citizen or permanent resident family member willing to sponsor you.
What it requires, and what it costs you →Show less
Requires
- Qualifying family relationship (spouse, parent, child, sibling)
- US citizen or permanent resident petitioner
- Petitioner meets income requirements (125% of poverty line)
- Admissibility requirements met
Costs you
- Preference categories have long wait times
- Petitioner must meet financial sponsorship requirements
- Limited to specific family relationships
- Sibling category (F4) can take 15-23+ years
In its favour
- Direct path to permanent residency
- Immediate relatives of US citizens have no visa number limits
- Derivative beneficiaries (spouse/children) may be included
- No employer or job requirement
Where to start
- Determine your family relationship category
- Have your US citizen/resident relative file I-130
- Wait for priority date to become current (preference categories)
- File I-485 (if in US) or go through consular processing (DS-260)
- Attend interview and await decision
Temporary work visa for specialty occupation workers requiring at least a bachelor's degree.
- Typical time
- Initial lottery in March, start date October 1. Total processing: 3-8 months.
- Typical cost
- $3,000 - $10,000 (employer pays)
- Main forms
Requires a US employer sponsor, a specialty occupation position, and at least a bachelor's degree in a related field.
What it requires, and what it costs you →Show less
Requires
- US employer willing to sponsor
- Specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field
- Selected in annual H-1B lottery (cap-subject positions)
Costs you
- Subject to annual cap and lottery (65,000 + 20,000 master's)
- Tied to sponsoring employer initially
- Six-year maximum unless green card process started
- Lottery selection not guaranteed
In its favour
- Dual intent - can pursue green card while on H-1B
- Valid for up to 6 years (3+3)
- Can change employers (with new H-1B filing)
- Spouse (H-4) may work with EAD if I-140 is approved
Where to start
- Find a US employer willing to sponsor H-1B
- Employer registers for H-1B lottery (March)
- If selected, employer files I-129 petition
- Begin work on October 1 (or after approval for cap-exempt)
- Consider starting green card process early
Transfer visa for employees of multinational companies moving to a US office in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge role.
- Typical time
- 2-6 months (1-3 weeks with premium processing)
- Typical cost
- $2,000 - $7,000
- Main forms
Must have worked for the multinational company abroad for at least 1 of the past 3 years in a qualifying role.
What it requires, and what it costs you →Show less
Requires
- Employed by multinational company with US office
- Worked abroad for the company for 1 of the past 3 years
- Transferring in managerial/executive (L-1A) or specialized knowledge (L-1B) role
- US and foreign entities must have qualifying relationship
Costs you
- Must have qualifying relationship with foreign company
- L-1B limited to 5 years, L-1A limited to 7 years
- Specialized knowledge standard can be difficult to meet
- Tied to the petitioning employer
In its favour
- No annual cap or lottery
- No degree requirement
- L-1A can lead directly to EB-1C green card
- Blanket L petitions allow faster processing for large companies
- Spouse (L-2) receives automatic work authorization
Where to start
- Confirm qualifying relationship between US and foreign entity
- Document at least 1 year of employment abroad
- Employer files I-129 with L classification
- Consider premium processing for faster decision
- Plan green card strategy (EB-1C for L-1A holders)
Visa for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
- Typical time
- 2-4 months (1-3 weeks with premium processing)
- Typical cost
- $4,000 - $12,000
- Main forms
Must demonstrate extraordinary ability through sustained national or international acclaim and recognition.
What it requires, and what it costs you →Show less
Requires
- Extraordinary ability in your field
- Evidence of sustained acclaim (awards, publications, high salary, etc.)
- Coming to US to work in your area of extraordinary ability
- Advisory opinion from peer group or labor organization
- Meet at least 3 of the 8 USCIS criteria
Costs you
- High evidentiary standard
- Requires extensive documentation of achievements
- Advisory opinion required
- Initially granted for specific event or activity duration
- Not a direct path to green card (but can transition to EB-1A)
In its favour
- No annual cap or lottery
- Can be renewed indefinitely in 1-year increments
- Dual intent has been increasingly recognized
- Can self-petition through an agent
- No minimum education requirement
Where to start
- Compile evidence of extraordinary ability (awards, publications, media, etc.)
- Obtain advisory opinion from peer group
- Identify US employer or agent to petition
- File I-129 with O classification
- Plan long-term strategy (EB-1A green card)
Visa for the foreign fiance(e) of a US citizen to enter the US and marry within 90 days.
- Typical time
- 8-14 months
- Typical cost
- $2,000 - $5,000
- Main forms
Must be engaged to a US citizen, have met in person within the past 2 years, and both be legally free to marry.
What it requires, and what it costs you →Show less
Requires
- US citizen petitioner (not available for green card holders)
- Met in person within the past 2 years
- Both parties legally free to marry
- Genuine relationship
- Must marry within 90 days of entry to the US
Costs you
- Must marry within 90 days of entry
- Cannot travel or work until I-485/I-765 filed
- Only available to US citizen petitioners
- Two-year conditional green card if married less than 2 years
- Long processing times at some embassies
In its favour
- Faster than spouse visa for couples who haven't married yet
- Can file for adjustment of status after marriage
- Work authorization available after filing I-485
- Can include unmarried children under 21 (K-2)
Where to start
- US citizen files I-129F petition
- Wait for USCIS approval and NVC processing
- Attend consular interview abroad
- Enter US on K-1 visa and marry within 90 days
- File I-485, I-765, and I-131 after marriage
Annual lottery program providing up to 55,000 immigrant visas to people from countries with low immigration rates to the US.
- Typical time
- Registration in October, results in May, visa issued within the fiscal year.
- Typical cost
- $1,000 - $3,000
- Main forms
Must be from an eligible country and have at least a high school education or 2 years of qualifying work experience.
What it requires, and what it costs you →Show less
Requires
- Born in an eligible country (not India, China, Mexico, Philippines, etc.)
- High school education or equivalent
- OR 2 years of qualifying work experience in past 5 years
- Meet general admissibility requirements
Costs you
- Extremely low probability of selection
- Many countries are not eligible
- Must use visa within the fiscal year or lose it
- Beware of scam websites claiming to guarantee selection
In its favour
- Free to enter the lottery
- No family or employer sponsor needed
- Direct path to green card
- Relatively low cost compared to other pathways
Where to start
- Check if your country of birth is eligible
- Submit entry during registration period (October-November)
- Check results in May on dvprogram.state.gov
- If selected, complete DS-260 processing promptly
- Attend consular interview or file I-485
Deferred action program for individuals who came to the US as children, providing temporary protection from deportation and work authorization.
- Typical time
- 3-6 months for renewal, initial applications currently blocked by court orders.
- Typical cost
- $495 (filing fee)
- Main forms
Must have arrived in the US before age 16, been continuously present, and met education/military requirements. Currently only renewals are being processed.
What it requires, and what it costs you →Show less
Requires
- Arrived in the US before your 16th birthday
- Continuous presence in the US since June 15, 2007
- Were under age 31 on June 15, 2012
- Currently in school, graduated, or obtained GED; OR honorably discharged veteran
- No felony, significant misdemeanor, or 3+ misdemeanors
Costs you
- Does not provide lawful status or path to green card on its own
- Subject to political and legal challenges
- Initial applications currently blocked by court orders
- Must be renewed every 2 years
- Does not allow international travel without advance parole
In its favour
- Protection from deportation (deferred action)
- Work authorization (EAD)
- Social Security number
- Renewable every 2 years
- May qualify for driver's license
Where to start
- Determine if you meet all eligibility criteria
- If eligible for renewal, file I-821D with I-765
- Gather supporting documents (school records, presence evidence)
- Consult an immigration attorney about long-term options
- Monitor legal developments regarding DACA program
Protection for individuals who have been persecuted or fear persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
- Typical time
- Asylum interview: 6 months - 5+ years. Refugee processing abroad: 1-3 years.
- Typical cost
- $0 (no filing fee)
- Main forms
Must demonstrate past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution on a protected ground. Asylum must be filed within 1 year of arrival (with exceptions).
What it requires, and what it costs you →Show less
Requires
- Fear of or past persecution based on a protected ground
- Protected grounds: race, religion, nationality, political opinion, social group
- Filed within 1 year of arrival in US (asylum) or applied from abroad (refugee)
- Not subject to any bars to asylum
Costs you
- Must prove persecution or well-founded fear
- One-year filing deadline (with limited exceptions)
- Long wait times for asylum interviews and decisions
- Cannot travel to home country after grant
- Complex legal process often requiring attorney
In its favour
- No filing fee
- Can include spouse and unmarried children under 21
- Work authorization after 180 days (if no decision)
- Can apply for green card after 1 year of asylum status
- Eventually eligible for US citizenship
Where to start
- Consult with an immigration attorney immediately
- File I-589 within 1 year of arrival in the US
- Gather evidence of persecution (documents, country conditions, statements)
- Prepare for asylum interview or immigration court hearing
- Apply for work authorization if pending over 180 days
The process of becoming a US citizen for eligible permanent residents.
- Typical time
- 8-14 months from filing to oath ceremony
- Typical cost
- $760 (filing fee)
- Main forms
Must be a permanent resident for 5 years (or 3 years if married to a US citizen), meet residency requirements, and pass the civics and English tests.
What it requires, and what it costs you →Show less
Requires
- Permanent resident for 5 years (or 3 years if married to US citizen)
- Physical presence in US for at least half the required period
- Continuous residence in the US
- Good moral character
- Pass English and civics tests
- At least 18 years old
Costs you
- Must give up some foreign citizenships (varies by country)
- Subject to US taxes on worldwide income
- Must meet continuous residence requirements
- Criminal history may be a bar
In its favour
- Right to vote in US elections
- No risk of deportation (with exceptions)
- Can petition for more family members
- US passport for international travel
- Eligible for federal jobs and benefits
- Can run for most elected offices
Where to start
- Verify you meet the residency and physical presence requirements
- Study for the civics test (100 questions)
- File N-400 application
- Attend biometrics appointment
- Pass interview (English and civics tests)
- Attend oath ceremony and receive Certificate of Naturalization
Immigrant visa for foreign investors who invest a substantial amount in a US commercial enterprise that creates jobs.
- Typical time
- 2-5+ years
- Typical cost
- $800,000 - $1,050,000+ investment, plus $10,000 - $50,000 in fees
- Main forms
Requires investment of $800,000 (TEA) or $1,050,000 (standard) in a job-creating US business.
What it requires, and what it costs you →Show less
Requires
- Investment of $800,000 in a targeted employment area (TEA) or $1,050,000 standard
- Investment must be in a new commercial enterprise
- Enterprise must create at least 10 full-time jobs for US workers
- Lawful source of investment funds
Costs you
- Very high investment amount required
- Risk of losing investment if business fails
- Long processing times
- Must prove lawful source of funds (extensive documentation)
- Conditional green card for first 2 years
In its favour
- No employer sponsor needed
- No specific education or language requirements
- Includes spouse and unmarried children under 21
- Direct path to green card
- Regional center investments simplify job creation requirements
Where to start
- Determine investment amount ($800K TEA vs $1.05M standard)
- Identify qualifying investment (direct or regional center)
- Document lawful source of investment funds
- File I-526E petition
- After approval, file I-485 or go through consular processing
- After 2 years, file I-829 to remove conditions
Pathway for international students on F-1 visas to transition to work authorization through OPT, STEM OPT, and eventually employer-sponsored visas.
- Typical time
- OPT: 12 months. STEM OPT: additional 24 months. H-1B transition: varies.
- Typical cost
- $520 (OPT EAD) + employer-covered H-1B costs
- Main forms
F-1 students can work through CPT, OPT (12 months), and STEM OPT extension (additional 24 months), then transition to H-1B or other work visa.
What it requires, and what it costs you →Show less
Requires
- Valid F-1 student status
- Completed or currently enrolled in a degree program
- For STEM OPT: degree in a STEM-designated field
- For H-1B: bachelor's degree and specialty occupation job offer
Costs you
- H-1B lottery is not guaranteed
- Limited to field of study for OPT employment
- STEM OPT requires E-Verify employer
- Gaps in work authorization possible
- Must maintain valid immigration status throughout
In its favour
- Up to 3 years of work authorization (OPT + STEM OPT)
- STEM OPT provides 3 chances at H-1B lottery
- Gain US work experience during OPT
- Many employers willing to sponsor from OPT to H-1B
Where to start
- Apply for OPT through your school's international office
- File I-765 for EAD (90 days before program end)
- If STEM field, apply for 24-month STEM OPT extension
- Find employer willing to sponsor H-1B
- Register for H-1B lottery (March)
- Plan long-term green card strategy with employer
