Pillar guides
Every path to a U.S. green card
Each path has its own rules, costs, and timelines. Click any category below for the full guide. We're starting with the four most common paths and adding more (EB-1, EB-3, EB-5, marriage-specific deep dives) over the coming months.
Family-Based
Sponsored by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident relative.
- Timeline
- 8 months – 10+ years
- Gov. Fees
- $1,760 – $3,005
Asylum
Protection for people fleeing persecution.
- Timeline
- 1 – 6+ years
- Gov. Fees
- $0 application fee
Diversity Visa
The annual green card lottery.
- Timeline
- 12 – 18 months
- Gov. Fees
- Free to enter
EB-2 NIW
Self-petition for advanced-degree professionals.
- Timeline
- 1 – 3 years
- Gov. Fees
- $1,440+
EB-1A Extraordinary Ability
For people at the very top of their field — no employer needed.
- Timeline
- 8 – 18 months
- Gov. Fees
- $715 + $1,440
EB-1B Outstanding Researcher
For tenured researchers and professors with international recognition.
- Timeline
- 10 – 20 months
- Gov. Fees
- $715 + $1,440
EB-1C Multinational Executive
For executives transferring to a U.S. office of the same company.
- Timeline
- 12 – 24 months
- Gov. Fees
- $715 + $1,440
EB-3 Skilled Worker
Employer-sponsored green card for skilled and professional workers.
- Timeline
- 2 – 12+ years
- Gov. Fees
- $715 + $1,440
EB-3 Other Workers
Green card for unskilled workers in jobs needing less than 2 years training.
- Timeline
- 5 – 15+ years
- Gov. Fees
- $715 + $1,440
EB-5 Investor
Green card for investors who create at least 10 U.S. jobs.
- Timeline
- 2 – 5+ years
- Gov. Fees
- $800k+ investment
EB-5 Rural Set-Aside
Faster EB-5 processing with reserved visas for rural projects.
- Timeline
- 1 – 3 years
- Gov. Fees
- $800,000+ investment
Marriage Green Card
The most common path — and the most scrutinized.
- Timeline
- 10 – 18 months
- Gov. Fees
- ~$3,005
K-1 Fiancé Visa
Bring your fiancé to the U.S. to marry within 90 days.
- Timeline
- 12 – 18 months
- Gov. Fees
- ~$2,200
Removal of Conditions (I-751)
Convert a 2-year green card into a 10-year permanent one.
- Timeline
- 12 – 24 months
- Gov. Fees
- $750
VAWA Self-Petition
Confidential green card path for abused spouses, children, and parents.
- Timeline
- 2 – 4 years
- Gov. Fees
- $0 (fee waived)
U Visa for Crime Victims
Protection for victims of serious crime who help law enforcement.
- Timeline
- 5 – 10+ years
- Gov. Fees
- $0 (fee waived)
T Visa for Trafficking Victims
Protection for victims of severe forms of human trafficking.
- Timeline
- 3 – 6 years
- Gov. Fees
- $0 (fee waived)
Special Immigrant Juvenile
Green card for vulnerable immigrant children.
- Timeline
- 3 – 8+ years
- Gov. Fees
- $0 (fee waived)
Refugee Adjustment
Green card for people admitted as refugees.
- Timeline
- 1 – 2 years
- Gov. Fees
- $0 (fee waived)
TPS to Green Card
How TPS holders can move from temporary to permanent status.
- Timeline
- varies
- Gov. Fees
- varies
Registry
Green card for people who have lived in the U.S. since 1972.
- Timeline
- 12 – 24 months
- Gov. Fees
- $1,130
Cuban Adjustment Act
Special green card path for Cuban nationals.
- Timeline
- 12 – 18 months
- Gov. Fees
- $1,440
Section 245(i)
Grandfathered path for people who entered without inspection.
- Timeline
- varies
- Gov. Fees
- $1,440 + $1,000 penalty
Widow(er) of U.S. Citizen
Self-petition for surviving spouses of deceased U.S. citizens.
- Timeline
- 12 – 24 months
- Gov. Fees
- $1,440
Humanitarian Parole
Temporary entry for urgent humanitarian reasons — not a green card by itself.
- Timeline
- varies
- Gov. Fees
- $715
AC21 Job Portability
Change jobs during the green card process without starting over.
- Timeline
- N/A (mid-process)
- Gov. Fees
- $0 extra
EB-2 vs EB-3 Comparison
Which employer-sponsored category is right for you?
- Timeline
- 2 – 12+ years
- Gov. Fees
- $715 + $1,440
H-1B to Green Card
The most common employer-sponsored route to permanent residence.
- Timeline
- 2 – 15+ years
- Gov. Fees
- $3,640 – $7,940 (employee)
N-400 Naturalization
Become a U.S. citizen after holding a green card.
- Timeline
- 5.5 – 13 months
- Gov. Fees
- $760
Green Card Renewal (I-90)
Renew or replace your expiring or lost green card.
- Timeline
- 8 – 14 months
- Gov. Fees
- $415 (online) / $465 (paper)
Premium Processing
Pay $2,965 for guaranteed I-140 action in 15 or 45 business days.
- Timeline
- 15 – 45 business days (I-140 only)
- Gov. Fees
- $2,965 (I-907 fee)
Adjustment of Status (I-485)
Get your green card inside the U.S. without leaving.
- Timeline
- 9 – 24 months
- Gov. Fees
- $1,440
DACA to Green Card
Can DACA recipients get permanent residency? Real options for Dreamers.
- Timeline
- varies by path
- Gov. Fees
- varies by path
Military Parole in Place (PIP)
Green card path for undocumented military spouses, parents, and children.
- Timeline
- 18 – 30 months
- Gov. Fees
- $2,745+
PERM Labor Certification
The mandatory DOL labor market test for most EB-2 and EB-3 green cards.
- Timeline
- 18 – 30 months (full stage)
- Gov. Fees
- $3,000 – $7,000 (employer pays)
Green Card Interview
What to expect at your USCIS adjustment of status interview in 2026.
- Timeline
- 20 – 60 minutes
- Gov. Fees
- N/A (part of I-485 process)
TN Visa to Green Card
How to convert a TN (USMCA) visa to permanent residence.
- Timeline
- 2 – 15+ years (varies by path)
- Gov. Fees
- $1,440 – $8,000+
O-1 Visa to Green Card
How O-1 extraordinary ability visa holders transition to permanent residence.
- Timeline
- 12 months – 3+ years
- Gov. Fees
- $1,155 – $17,620+
I-864 Affidavit of Support
The income contract every family-based sponsor must sign.
- Timeline
- N/A (part of family-based process)
- Gov. Fees
- $0 (no filing fee)
CSPA: Child Aging-Out Protection
How the Child Status Protection Act keeps children under 21 for green card purposes.
- Timeline
- N/A (applies during pending case)
- Gov. Fees
- $0 (no filing fee)