Thousands of U.S. immigration aspirants dream of moving to the U.S. every year and starting a new life. Many of these aspirants look forward to receiving their Green Cards. There are several ways to accelerate the process of getting a green card. In this article, we will discuss a few options to fast-track your Green Card.
How does the Green Card help?
If you are looking for a Green Card, you may already know how it works in the United States. But if you are new to the concept, here is the purpose and source of the green card in brief.
- Permanent Residency: Allows permanent residency in the U.S., enabling holders to work and reside indefinitely.
- Public Benefits: Access to social security, Medicare, public education, and other government benefits.
- Work Authorization: Freedom to work in any job or field with higher employment benefits than temporary visa holders.
- Future Citizenship: Eligibility for U.S. citizenship after meeting requirements such as extended stay, language proficiency, and background checks.
- Travel Benefits: Facilitates international travel without restrictions for business, family, or personal reasons.
Fastest Pathways to the Green Card
Family-Based Green Cards
This is one of the quickest routes to a green card. Applicable for spouses, unmarried children under 21, parents, and sometimes siblings of permanent residents.
- Spouses and unmarried children under 21 generally have the shortest waiting periods.
- Waiting times depend on the number of applicants in the queue.
Employment-Based Green Cards
Mostly sponsored by U.S. employers. More documentation and proof required than family-based visas. Five preference categories prioritize workers in high-demand positions.
- EB-1 Visa: Individuals with extraordinary acclaim in arts, sciences, business, teaching, or research.
- EB-2 Visa: Advanced degrees or exceptional abilities; includes National Interest Waiver (NIW) to skip labor certification and sponsorship.
- EB-3 Visa: Skilled workers with at least two years’ experience in shortage occupations; also available for bachelor's degree holders or unskilled workers.
Investment-Based Visa
Ideal for high-net-worth individuals seeking to invest and create jobs.
- EB-5 Visa: Requires investment of $900,000–$1.8 million in a U.S. enterprise with job creation benefits.
Corporate Green Cards
- EB-1C Visa: For executives/managers transferred to the U.S. from multinational companies.
- Must have worked at least one year in the past three years outside the U.S.
- Joining an existing U.S. workforce (affiliate, branch, or subsidiary).
- Green Card processing can take less than two years depending on qualifications.
What XIPHIAS Can Do for You
XIPHIAS is a boutique law firm specializing in investment migration, corporate migration, skilled migration, and more. We have assisted over a thousand clients with diverse backgrounds, offering guidance from initial consultation to final approval.
We ensure applicants have the best chance of visa success and help achieve their dream of obtaining a Green Card and enjoying permanent residency in the United States.
FAQs
Who is eligible for the Family-Based Green Card? Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, including spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents. Sometimes siblings may qualify.
What is the EB-5 investment requirement? Applicants must invest between $900,000 and $1.8 million in a U.S. enterprise that creates jobs.
Can employment-based visas be fast-tracked? Yes, categories like EB-1 or EB-1C can expedite Green Card processing based on qualifications and company sponsorship.
How long before a Green Card holder can apply for U.S. citizenship? Typically after five years of permanent residency, along with language proficiency and background checks.
