- 1). Apply for a Green Card as a spouse, child or relative of a U.S. citizen by having the U.S. citizen file a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative with USCIS. You will find a link to this form in the Resources section.
If you are not applying under a U.S. citizen, see Resources for other qualifying categories. - 2). Wait for an immigrant visa to become available to you, upon approval of your initial Green Card application. U.S. Immigration Law dictates that only immediate relatives (spouses or minor children) of U.S. citizens be immediately provided with an immigrant visa by the National Visa Center (NVC). If you are a relative of a U.S. citizen who is not a spouse or minor child, you may have to wait for up to five years, depending on the amount of immigrant visas available, to receive an immigrant visa to the United States.
Once an immigrant visa becomes available for you, NVC will forward your case to the U.S. Embassy, Consulate or Diplomatic Mission in your country where your immigrant visa will be issued. - 3). Pass an immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Embassy, Consulate, or Diplomatic Mission in your country, and arrive in the United States as an immigrant. Within two to three months, you will receive your Green Card from USCIS.