How To Get A Green Card In USA Without Marriage (Fastest) 2023

There are various options for a foreign individual to obtain a green card and live and work legally in the United States. Green card eligibility falls into three categories in general. One of those is family-based green cards, which are available to American citizens and parents, permanent residents’ spouses, siblings, and dependent children. The second type of green card is one that is granted on the basis of employment. A special immigrant green card falls under the third category.

How To Get A Green Card In USA Without Marriage

Answering the question “how to get a green card in the USA without marriage” then here is the answer. One of the most popular ways to become a permanent resident in the United States is through marriage. However, because not all immigrant visa applicants are married to U.S. citizens or permanent residents, foreign nationals with the appropriate skill sets, competence, special abilities, and outstanding academic qualifications are given the opportunity to live and work permanently in the United States through a variety of methods, beginning with employment-based immigrant visas.

Green Card based on Employment

Foreign nationals receive tens of thousands of employment-based green cards each year. A total of 140,000 employment-based green cards were issued in 2016 under various EB immigrant visa categories. Foreign nationals with job offers from a U.S. firm are often granted employment-based green cards. Employers or potential employers sponsor the majority of these green cards.

If they are currently working for a company or have received a job offer from a potential employer, foreign nationals who are already in the United States or who are outside the United States may apply for an employment-based visa. The petition will be filed on behalf of the employee by the company.

EB-1 (first priority), EB-2 (second choice), EB-3 (third preference), and EB-4 (fourth preference) are the four categories of employment-based visas (fourth preference). Each subcategory has its own set of criteria. Some demand exceptional abilities or advanced degrees, while others are open to both professional and unskilled people.

Green Card on the Basis of Investment

Another immigration option for foreign nationals is the EB-5 Investor green card. Foreign entrepreneurs who are ready to spend at least $1 million or $500,000 in a U.S. business are eligible for this green card. This may be your greatest option if you have the needed minimum investment amount because you won’t have to wait for a job offer in the United States. It is vital to note, however, that the funds must be invested in an EB-5 firm that has been approved. It must also create or keep at least ten employees in the United States. I think that also answers the question of how to get a green card in USA without marriage?

Green Card for Special Immigrants

If you don’t fit the requirements for a green card based on marriage or work, you may be eligible to apply as a special immigrant. You must be one of the following to be eligible for this category:

  • A member of the clergy
  • Juvenile immigrants with special needs
  • Broadcaster from across the world
  • An Afghan or Iraqi national who has worked for the US government as a translator, an Iraqi who worked for the US government on or after March 20, 2003, or an Afghan who works for ISAF
  • A member of NATO or an international organization’s employee (or a family member of an employee).

6 Subcategories of Green Cards

If you’ve been residing in the United States as an asylee or refugee for the last year, you could be able to apply for a green card. If you presently have a T or U nonimmigrant visa, you may also be eligible to apply for a green card.

Visa for a Diverse Population

Up to 55,000 immigrant visas are available each year under the diversity program for foreign nationals from countries with low rates of permanent residency applications to the US.

As the name says, this lottery is primarily based on luck, which may reduce your chances of getting picked. If you’re lucky enough to win, you’ll have to go through a number of steps that might take years before you can become a permanent resident. It also necessitates that you have the necessary education and work experience for the program.

Regardless of the difficulty, it is still a viable choice, particularly if you do not qualify for any of the other visa categories. Every year, many foreign nationals currently residing in the United States take advantage of this opportunity to change their status from nonimmigrant to permanent resident, and those who apply from outside the United States can also benefit from the diversity lottery.

What to Think About If You Want a Green Card Without Getting Married

If you don’t qualify for a marriage-based immigrant visa, you’ll have to choose between employment-based, investment-based, or special immigrant categories. Before applying for any of these categories, you should think about your field of interest in light of the USCIS criteria.

Your skillset, academic credentials, distinctive skills, work experience, and other factors that indicate your competence will determine if you qualify for employment-based visas. Furthermore, if you are applying for the special immigrant category, you must satisfy the requirements outlined above.

How to Get a Green Card Without Getting Married

Depending on the category, the conditions for filing a green card application differ significantly. However, the following are some of the most commonly requested forms and documents:

I-140, Alien Worker Immigrant Petition

If you’re applying for a green card based on your job, your company will file it on your behalf (unless you are applying for an EB-1A or EB-2 with a National Interest Waiver). Most employment-based visas are sponsored by U.S. companies, as previously noted. If your visa type necessitates a PERM labor certification, your company will need to get one before starting the green card process.

Petition for Special Immigrants, Americans, Widows, or Widowers (I-360)

You must complete and submit an I-360 as part of your application procedure if you are applying for a green card as a special immigrant or as a foreign employee under the EB-4 green card category.

I-130, Alien Relative Petition

This form is for people who are applying for a family-based green card on behalf of immigrant family members.

  • Immigrant Petition Form I-526 Entrepreneurial Alien
  • This form is used to apply for an EB-5 green card as an investor.
  • Evidence to Back It Up

Along with the paperwork, numerous documents must be supplied as supporting proof for each green card category. Academic credentials, biographic information, a valid passport, and recent pictures are all required materials. As an employment candidate, you must provide all papers necessary to demonstrate your eligibility for the position you are applying for.

Fees for Filing

Most USCIS and DOS forms are fee-based; the costs you pay will be determined by your green card category, age, and location (whether within or outside the United States). Fee waivers are available for several forms for applicants who do not have the financial means to pay the filing costs.

Petition to Register Permanent Residence or Change Status, Form I-485

After your I-140 or I-360 has been authorized and your priority date is current, you must file this. Depending on the category you’re submitting for, you might be able to submit it at the same time. The I-485 is used to petition the USCIS for permission to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States, but only if you are currently in the country on a nonimmigrant visa. Make sure you submit the most recent version of the form.

Processing at the Consulate

If you are currently outside the United States, you will need to apply for a green card through consular processing. This will be completed at the nearest American embassy or consulate in that nation. As part of your consular procedure, you will be asked to submit a DS-260 immigrant visa application.

You must also establish to the immigration agents that you are not inadmissible based on health or previous criminal histories as part of the green card application procedure.

The medical check is performed to ensure that you do not have any health issues that might jeopardize the health of those in the United States. A USCIS-designated surgeon must conduct the examination.

Additionally, you will be requested to report any criminal behavior, jailing, or detention for any significant offense in the past, whether in the United States or elsewhere, in your application and at your visa interview. Inadmissibility based on fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation might result if you don’t mention it or give a deceptive account of it.

As an employment-based or exceptional immigrant green card candidate, you will be interviewed in person at a USCIS office or a US consulate. Make sure you answer the questions honestly since lying might result in you being denied re-entry into the United States.

The USCIS will notify you of your approval or disapproval within 30 days following your interview. If you receive an approval notification, you should anticipate your green card to arrive in a few months.

However, in the case of a rejection notice, the communication will specify the rationale for the denial. If you believe you have a strong possibility of having the judgment reversed, you may be able to appeal the decision. Before taking any steps in that manner, you should seek legal advice from an immigration professional.

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Conclusion

if you have been searching for how to get a green card in USA without marriage, then we have given you all you need to know, other ways as well to become a permanent USA citizen without much stress.