Adjustment of Status and Permanent Residence (Green Card)

Lawful permanent residence allows an individual to live and work permanently in the United States. A lawful permanent resident receives a Permanent Resident Card, commonly known as a “Green Card.”

Our firm assists individuals in pursuing lawful permanent residence through family-based and employment-based immigration, as well as other available immigration pathways. We evaluate each client’s immigration history and circumstances to determine the appropriate process and identify any potential issues before an application is filed.

After becoming a lawful permanent resident, an individual may eventually become eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship. Many permanent residents may apply for naturalization after five years in lawful permanent resident status. Certain individuals who are married to and living in marital union with a U.S. citizen may qualify to apply after three years, provided they meet all applicable requirements.

For additional information about lawful permanent residence, please visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.

Family-Based Permanent Residence

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents may petition for certain qualifying family members to immigrate to the United States.

U.S. citizens may petition for spouses, children, parents, and siblings. Certain relatives of U.S. citizens, including spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens who are at least 21 years old, are classified as “immediate relatives” and are not subject to annual immigrant visa numerical limits.

Other family relationships fall within family-preference categories and may be subject to annual visa limits and waiting periods. The amount of time involved varies depending on the family relationship, the beneficiary’s country of chargeability, and visa availability under the Department of State’s Visa Bulletin.

Lawful permanent residents may petition for their spouses and certain unmarried children. Because eligibility to adjust status in the United States can depend on factors such as the manner of entry, current immigration status, prior immigration violations, and visa availability, we recommend obtaining legal advice before filing a petition or application.

Our firm can evaluate the available options and guide families through the petition, adjustment of status, or consular processing stages of the permanent residence process.

Employment-Based Permanent Residence

There are several employment-based immigrant visa categories that may provide a path to lawful permanent residence. Our firm assists employers, professionals, and other qualifying individuals in identifying and pursuing the appropriate category.

Employment-based immigrant classifications include:

• EB-1: Individuals of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics; outstanding professors and researchers; and certain multinational managers and executives.
• EB-2: Members of the professions holding advanced degrees and individuals of exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business. Certain applicants may also qualify for a National Interest Waiver.
• EB-3: Skilled workers, professionals, and certain other workers. Many EB-2 and EB-3 cases require an employer to complete the PERM labor certification process before an immigrant petition may be filed.
• EB-4: Certain special immigrants who qualify under categories established by federal immigration law.
• EB-5: Qualifying investors who make the required investment in a new commercial enterprise and satisfy applicable job-creation and other program requirements.

Our firm works with businesses and organizations in the private, nonprofit, governmental, and educational sectors to address their immigration needs. We assist employers in navigating the immigration process so they can recruit, retain, and sponsor qualified foreign national employees while complying with applicable immigration requirements.