Applying for a Green Card for an Immediate Relative or Family Member

• 1). File Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with the USCIS. Your relative, who is a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident, files this form on your behalf. Your relative must provide proof of the following, status as a citizen or a permanent resident and evidence of the family relationship. Documents that establish proof include copies of birth certificates, a naturalization certificate or an unexpired U.S. passport. If you live outside of the U.S., after the USCIS and the Department of State processes the petition and a visa becomes available, you may move to the U.S. as a permanent resident.
  
  
• 2). Pay the filing fee ($420 as of 2011).
  
  
• 3). File Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. If the petitioner is an immediate family member and you are already residing in the U.S., you can file Form I-485 at the same time your relative files Form I-130. This form is for adjusting your status to a permanent resident. If the petitioner is not an immediate family member, you must wait to file Form I-485 until a visa number becomes available. Once the USCIS approves your petition and issues a visa number, you become a permanent resident.
  
  
• 4). If you filed Form I-485, pay the filing fee ($985, plus $85 biometric fee as of 2011).
  
  

Getting a Green Card Through an Employer

• 1). File Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker. Your employer will use this form to petition for your permanent residency in the U.S. If you are residing outside of the U.S., the USCIS and the Department of State will work together to process Form I-140. Once the government approves the petition and a visa number becomes available, you can apply with a U.S. Department of State abroad to move to the U.S. as a permanent resident.
  
  
• 2). If you are residing in the U.S., after the USCIS approves the petition and a visa number becomes available, submit Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, with the USCIS. Include a copy of the job offer letter, two color photographs and proof of approval of the petition.
  
  
• 3). If you filed Form I-485, pay the filing fee ($985, plus $85 biometric fee).