| A green card, formally known as United States | | | | States or a spouse or parent who is a US permanent |
| Permanent Resident Card. It's name was popularized | | | | resident. Many of these applications are severely |
| in World War II when Form I-151 or the Alien | | | | backlogged and is dependent on the type of relative |
| Registration Receipt Card was printed on green paper. | | | | and nationality of the applicant. A petition for a brother |
| In 1977, the form was printed on papers of various | | | | or sister can last up to ten years of waiting, depending |
| colors but nonetheless, the name green card remained. | | | | on their nationality. |
| As of 2006, the green card is mostly yellowish-white | | | | Diversity Lottery |
| where the only green feature is the lettering at the | | | | The purpose of this method is to increase immigration |
| back portion. | | | | of countries with low representation over the past |
| There are several ways on how to get a green card. | | | | decades. There are 50,000 slots alloted for it and the |
| Most of the categories have an annual quota or limit. | | | | "lottery winners" are randomly selected from the |
| The overall limit per year is 700,000. But there is no limit | | | | computers. It is important to understand that being |
| for immediate relatives which compose of spouses | | | | selected in the lottery does not guarantee a green |
| and minor children of US citizens and parents of adult | | | | card. The requirements are strict and applicants should |
| US citizens. | | | | meet the educational or professional requirements. |
| Matrimonial Method | | | | Employer Sponsorship |
| This is one of the easy step in getting a green card. | | | | The employer petitions a highly skilled worker such as |
| This means that an individual, male or female, marries a | | | | an outstanding professor, a multinational executive or |
| permanent citizen of the United States of America. | | | | manager, a professional holding an advanced degree |
| After marriage, there will be some necessary | | | | or a person with exceptional ability. |
| paperwork with some appeals and hearings. An | | | | Immigrant Investor Visa |
| applicant will have to fill out the Form I-130. | | | | Wealthy foreigners who can invest at least $1 million in |
| Immediate Relatives | | | | a commercial enterprise and employ 10 workers |
| This method is processed through a petition of a close | | | | directly, or at least $500,000 who will invest in a |
| relative who could either be a spouse, child over 21, | | | | "targeted employment area" and can employ 10 |
| parent, brother or sister who is a citizen of the United | | | | workers directly or indirectly. |