{"id":352915,"date":"2022-08-19T07:42:53","date_gmt":"2022-08-19T12:42:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/immigration\/visas\/who-may-obtain-a-green-card.html"},"modified":"2026-06-08T13:22:28","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T18:22:28","slug":"who-may-obtain-a-green-card","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/immigration\/visas\/who-may-obtain-a-green-card.html","title":{"rendered":"Who Can Get a Green Card?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Who Can Get a Green Card?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Meagan Neil, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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A green card may be available through several pathways, including family sponsorship<\/span>, employment-based categories, the diversity visa lottery<\/span>, asylum, or other special provisions. Eligibility<\/span> depends on your relationship to a U.S. citizen<\/span> or LPR<\/span>, your professional skills, your country of origin, or specific humanitarian or long\u2011term residency circumstances.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

A U.S. Permanent Resident<\/span> Card<\/span> (or a \u201cgreen card\u201d) is your ticket to living and working in the United States as a noncitizen. This status entitles you to various benefits and rights while living in the United States. The card itself proves your immigration status.<\/p>\n

This article discusses who is eligible for lawful <\/span>permanent resident<\/span> (LPR<\/span>) status in the U.S. Use the questions below to determine if you may be able to get a green card. If you\u2019re unsure which category fits your situation, an immigration attorney<\/span><\/a> can explain your options and guide you through the application process<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Is Your Family Member<\/span> a U.S. Citizen<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

If you process the green card through a family-based<\/span> petition<\/a>, obtaining lawful <\/span>permanent residence<\/span> can be a relatively smooth process. Immediate family members<\/span> of U.S. citizens<\/span>, like their spouses or children under 21, have a more direct route.<\/p>\n

The following relations qualify under this category, in no particular order:<\/p>\n