Every U.S. green card path, explained clearly.

For most people, marriage to a U.S. citizen is the fastest path — typically 8 to 14 months. EB-1A (extraordinary ability) and asylum-derived green cards can also be relatively fast for those who qualify. Family preference and most employment categories take years due to per-country caps and visa availability backlogs.

Government filing fees alone range from $1,440 (EB-2 NIW self-petition) to roughly $3,005 (family-based adjustment of status with biometrics, work permit, and travel document). Hiring an immigration attorney typically adds $2,000 to $15,000 depending on case complexity.

Yes. USCIS allows self-filed petitions for every green card category. Simple cases (uncontested marriage to a U.S. citizen, DV Lottery winners, clear-cut EB categories) are commonly self-filed. Cases with prior immigration violations, inadmissibility issues, or complex evidence usually benefit from an attorney.

It depends entirely on the category and your country of birth. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens: 8-14 months. Family preference categories: 2-22+ years. Employment-based for most countries: 1-3 years. EB-2 and EB-3 for India and China: often 10+ years due to backlogs. Check the monthly Visa Bulletin for current priority dates.

A green card (lawful permanent resident status) lets you live and work in the U.S. permanently but you remain a citizen of your home country. After 3-5 years as a permanent resident, you may apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization, which grants voting rights, a U.S. passport, and protection from deportation.