The Green Card, Explained — A TRW Law Firm Guide to U.S. Permanent Residency (2025 Edition)
What Is a Green Card?
A green card, officially known as a Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), is an identification document issued by the U.S. government that allows foreign nationals to live and work permanently in the United States. It also provides a pathway to U.S. citizenship after a certain period (typically 3 years for spouses of U.S. citizens, or 5 years for others).
TRW Insight: A green card is not the same as a visa. A visa grants temporary entry; a green card grants permanent residence.
The Green Card Application Process
The green card application procedure depends on whether the applicant is inside the United States or applying from abroad.
✅ From within the U.S. — File Form I-485 (Application to Adjust Status) ✅ From outside the U.S. — File Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Electronic Application)
These forms are used to complete green card processing either through a family relationship, employment sponsorship, humanitarian channels, or diversity visa lottery.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Green Card?
Timelines vary greatly depending on your eligibility category:
| Applicant Category | From Within the U.S. | From Outside the U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse/Immediate Relative of U.S. Citizen | ~9.5 months | ~14.3 months |
| Spouse of Green Card Holder | ~35 months | Varies |
| Employment-Based | 12–36 months | Varies by country of origin |
Green Card Costs
| Green Card Type | Applicant in U.S. | Applicant Abroad |
| Family-Based | $3,005 | $1,340 |
| Employment-Based | $2,330 (approx.) | $10,000+ (including employer fees) |
Additional expenses include:
- Medical exam: $150–$600
- Translations and document authentication
Main Types of Green Cards
1. Family-Based Green Cards
- Spouses, children, parents, and siblings of U.S. citizens or green card holders
- Widows/widowers of U.S. citizens
2. Employment-Based Green Cards
- Extraordinary ability professionals (EB-1)
- Advanced degree holders and exceptional talent (EB-2)
- Skilled/unskilled workers and professionals (EB-3)
- Religious workers and international employees (EB-4)
- Investors (EB-5)
3. Humanitarian Green Cards
- Refugees and asylees
- Victims of trafficking (T Visa), crime (U Visa), and domestic abuse (VAWA)
- Military family members (Parole in Place)
4. Diversity Lottery Green Card
- Up to 50,000 visas yearly for countries with low immigration rates to the U.S.
5. Longtime Resident Green Card
- For individuals who have lived continuously in the U.S. since January 1, 1972
6. Other Special Immigrant Categories
- Afghan/Iraqi nationals who assisted U.S. forces
- Religious workers
- Media professionals
The General Green Card Process: Step-by-Step
- Determine Eligibility
- Based on family, job offer, humanitarian status, or lottery selection
- File a Petition
- Form I-130 (Family) or Form I-140 (Employment)
- Some categories allow self-petitioning (e.g., VAWA, EB-1)
- Wait for Petition Approval
- If denied, USCIS will notify with reasons and appeal options
- Wait for Visa Number (If Applicable)
- For most family- and employment-based categories
- Submit the Green Card Application
- Form I-485 (in the U.S.) or DS-260 (outside the U.S.)
- Attend Biometrics Appointment
- Fingerprints, photos, and signatures collected
- Interview
- Conducted by USCIS (domestic) or consular officers (international)
- Receive Decision
- If approved, green card is issued and mailed
In-Depth Look: Family-Based Green Cards
Eligible family relationships:
- Spouse or widow/widower of U.S. citizen
- Parents (if citizen is 21+)
- Children (minor or adult)
- Siblings (if citizen is 21+)
Important: Extended relatives like cousins, aunts, and uncles do not qualify unless they meet one of the above categories.
TRW Law Firm can help ensure your documentation proves a genuine family relationship, minimizing RFE risks.
In-Depth Look: Employment-Based Green Cards
| EB Category | Eligible Professions/Applicants |
| EB-1 | Outstanding professors, executives, individuals with extraordinary ability |
| EB-2 | Advanced degree holders, national interest waivers, exceptional ability professionals |
| EB-3 | Skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled labor |
| EB-4 | Religious workers, Afghan/Iraqi nationals, broadcasters, etc. |
| EB-5 | Investors creating 10+ jobs through $500k–$1M investments |
TRW provides tailored support for PERM labor certification, I-140 petitions, and EB-1/EB-2 documentation.
In-Depth Look: Humanitarian Green Cards
Refugees & Asylees:
- Eligible after 1 year of U.S. presence
- Include derivative family members (spouse/children)
T Visa (Trafficking Victims):
- Eligible for green card after 3 years or once investigation ends
- Must show good moral character and continued cooperation
U Visa (Crime Victims):
- Eligible after 3 years
- Must have lived in U.S. continuously and cooperated with law enforcement
VAWA (Abuse Victims):
- May self-petition without abuser’s knowledge
- Available to spouses, children, or parents of abusive U.S. citizens or green card holders
Parole in Place (Military Families):
- Grants eligibility for adjustment of status without leaving the U.S.
Diversity Visa Lottery
- Annually provides 50,000 green cards
- Applicants must be from countries with low immigration to the U.S.
- Randomly selected
- Strict deadlines and qualification rules
Longtime Resident Green Card (Registry)
Eligibility:
- Continuous U.S. residence since Jan 1, 1972
- Good moral character
- No grounds for inadmissibility or deportation
- Must prove lawful entry or long-term undocumented presence with supporting documentation
Green Card FAQs
Q: What is a lawful permanent resident?
A: Someone who is authorized to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely.
Q: How do I qualify for a green card?
A: Through family sponsorship, employer sponsorship, humanitarian relief, the lottery, or long-term residence.
Q: How long after getting a green card can I apply for citizenship?
A: Typically 5 years, or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen.
Q: Do I need an immigration lawyer to apply?
A: While not mandatory, TRW Law Firm offers expert legal guidance to increase success rates, avoid denials, and ensure accurate documentation.
Contact TRW Law Firm Today
Whether you’re applying through family, employment, or humanitarian grounds, TRW Law Firm provides:
- Personalized eligibility assessments
- Full legal support for Forms I-130, I-485, I-140, DS-260, I-765, I-864, and more
- Documentation review and RFE mitigation
- Interview preparation and appeal representation
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TRW Law Firm — Pioneering Green Card Legal Services in Bangladesh and Beyond.