Visa Services » Immigration Visa
Immigration Visa - permanent residence permit "green card"
For many people, applying for a permanent residence permit is the most important step towards living and/or working in the US.
Immigration visas, the so-called "green cards," permit foreign citizens to live and work in the US without being limited to one specific employer. They grant aliens all rights and obligations of US citizens, with the exception of the right to vote, the right to be chosen for jury service, and the right to be elected to a government office.
There are a number of ways to obtain a green card. On these pages, we will give you an overview of all categories and the respective entry requirements. The basic categories are employment-based and family-based visas, and the green card lottery.
Please note: in case you don't directly qualify for an immigration visa, you might try checking your options for non-immigration visas.
EB-1 Visa (Priority Workers)
Persons of national interest to the US
The US are always trying to attract highly-qualified foreign workers to their own country. In order to achieve this, they established the "Priority Workers" category - this grants the best and brightest professionals on the international market to apply for a green card.
EB-2 Visa (Advanced Degrees / Exceptional Ability)
Persons with exceptional qualifications/abilities
Two groups of people may qualify for a green card in the "Second Preference" category EB-2:
- persons with advanced degrees
- persons who have exceptional abilities in business, sciences and arts
EB-3 Visa (Skilled, Professional and Other Workers)
The EB-3 category is probably one of the most popular green card categories in US immigration law. This category gives people who don't have extraordinary/exceptional skills, no advanced degrees and no executive positions in multinational companies the chance to obtain an immigration visa. More
EB-4 Visa (Special Immigrants / Religious Workers)
"Special immigrants" describes a small, heterogeneous group of people who may immigrate into the US due to political or moral reasons.
This group includes:
- foreign employees of the US government
- former employees of the Panama Canal Company
- religious workers
EB-5 Visa (Immigration Investor Program)
With the Immigration Act of 1990, the fifth employment-based immigration category was established: the Immigration Investor Program.
For the first time, investors could directly apply for a green card. More
Relatives / Spouses of US citizens
Generally, US immigration law differentiates between two categories of family-based immigration visas. More
Relatives / Spouses of green card holders
Not only US citizens, but also green card holders (permanent residents) have the right to sponsor certain relatives for family-based immigration under US law - to a very limited extent at least. More
Diversity Visa Program
The easiest way to get a green card is the green card lottery. Every year, the US government provides green cards through the Diversity Visa Program. While it does require a significant amount of luck, for many people it is the only way of realizing their dream of living in the US. More
Green Card
The green card authorizes you to permanently live in the USA. Only a little bit of luck is needed. During almost 15 years of business, The American Dream has helped more than 13,000 winners on their way to America. This makes us a reliable contact partner for all your questions about the USA. More
Facebook/greencardnews
You can now follow The American Dream on facebook. Become a fan and be always up-to date. The registration is free of charge and you can exchange your thoughts and ideas with other green card applicants. More
GreenCard Requirements
You would like to participate in the next green card lottery but you do not know if you are eligible? It is pretty simple - almost everyone can apply. The only exceptions are persons born in a country with a very high rate of emigration into the US. One’s country of citizenship is not important in this process - it only counts the country of birth, in accordance with current world political maps. More
