Get Your U.S. Green Card

A Green Card, also known as an Alien Registration Card or Permanent Resident Card, must generally be renewed every 10 years.

Immigrants who are married to a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident may be sponsored for a Green Card by their spouse. This process involves Form I-130, Form I-485 or a combination of the two.

To apply for a Family-Based Green Card, a family member in the U.S must sponsor you. If your sponsor is a U.S. citizen, then he or she must be your spouse, parent, sibling or child. If your sponsor is a Green Card holder, then he or she must be your spouse or your child.

Under U.S. Immigration Law, Lawful Permanent Residents must carry their Green Card at all times. If your current Green Card has been lost or stolen, replace it right away.

Individuals who are in the United States on an immigration visa should use Form I-485, Adjustment of Status Application, to obtain a Green Card.

If you have obtained a Green Card through marriage to a U.S. citizen, then you are granted a "conditional" Green Card, valid for only two years. You must apply to remove the conditions on your Green Card within 90 days of your permanent resident status expiring.

Generally, to apply for an Employment-Based Green Card, a qualifying U.S. employer must sponsor you through the Labor Certification process. In special situations, employees may be able to obtain an Employment-Based Green Card without first obtaining Labor Certification.