• Mexican citizens can live in the United States with a green card.The Statue of Liberty image by Gary from Fotolia.com
  
  Mexican citizens who want to become permanent residents of the United States need to apply for a green card. A green card entitles non-U.S. citizens to reside in the United States, to work in the United States, and to leave and reenter the country without restriction. Mexican citizens can apply for a green card based on either family relationships or job requirements. People who are already in the United States who want a green card can apply for adjustment in status, whereas Mexican citizens who wish to enter the U.S. must go to a U.S. consulate in Mexico to finalize the green-card application process.
  
  

Immigration Sponsor

• An immediate family member of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident can sponsor you for a green card. If you are the parent, spouse or unmarried child under the age of 21 of a U.S. citizen, you won't need to wait for a visa number. If your sponsor is a permanent resident, or if you are an unmarried child older than 21, a married child or a sibling of a U.S. citizen you will be categorized as in a preference category. This means that you will need to wait for a visa number until a visa is available for someone in your preference category. Your sponsor will need to file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, as well as an Affidavit of Support in order to begin the application process.
  
  A prospective employer can also serve as a sponsor. The employer will need to file a Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, on your behalf.
  
  Some immigrants don't need a sponsor. These include entrepreneurs prepared to invest at least $500,000 in a business that will create U.S. jobs and certain individuals who are considered to be the best in their fields. The U.S. government also sets aside some visas for individuals who fall into a few special categories. These categories change from time to time, but can include professions such as religious workers or broadcasters.
  
  

Green-Card Application

• You'll need to submit a Form DS-230, Application for Immigrant Visa, to the National Visa Center. A separate form is required for each family member who wishes to enter the United States with the applicant. The form has two parts. Although you should fill out both parts when you submit your application, you should only sign Part 1 when you submit the application. You will sign Part 2 when you have your visa interview.
  
  

Medical Exam

• You'll need a medical exam and vaccines in order to get a green card.medical equipment image by Chad McDermott from Fotolia.com
  
  You will need to have a medical exam by a U.S. Department of State panel physician in Mexico. As part of the exam, the doctor will test for syphilis and ensure that you have received the required vaccinations. These include the hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, influenza type b (Hib), measles, meningococcal, mumps, pneumococcal, pertussis, polio, rotavirus, rubella, tetanus and diphtheria toxoids, and varicella vaccines.
  
  

Consular Interview

• After you have received your visa number, you will need to have an interview at the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez. During the interview, you will present your visa application and other supporting documents, such as your passport, voting card and any prior visas or passports. You will also be fingerprinted as part of the interview.
  
  If approved, in most cases your visa will be delivered to your house by a delivery service.