Green Card Process: How to Apply for Green Card Application?

Are you planning to become a permanent resident in the United States? If so, you must first have a Green card in your possession. A Green card is an identification document issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It allows a non-resident to live and work permanently in the US. Green card holders are known as Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) and may apply for U.S. citizenship after 3-5 years.

Read the blog below to understand the Green Card process steps, its various stages and how much time is taken for the application process.

What are the Steps for a Green Card Application Process?

There are quite a few steps that an individual must be aware of when applying for a Green card. Follow the steps below to apply for a Green Card.

1. Understanding the 3 General Paths for Permanent Residency

Before applying for a Green Card, you must first figure out whether you are qualified to apply for one. There are 3 general qualifications for a US Green Card. They are:

• Via Employment by filing Form I-140

Form I-140 is an immigration form that must be filled out before or at the same time as a Green Card application.

You can qualify for a Green card with an approved employment-based petition, such as EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, or EB-5. Each of these petitions is related to Form I-140.

• Via Family by filing Form I-130

Another common method to qualify for a Green Card through family is marriage. You must file Form I-130 before filing the Green Card application.

• For Humanitarian Reasons

Refugees, asylum seekers and similar immigrants can also qualify to become green card holders.

2. Selecting a Visa Category 

This is only required for employment-based Green Card categories. There are several categories, so you must choose the correct one for your needs. The categories are:

• EB-1A: For individuals who are at the top of their field and are eligible for self-petitioning. PERM is not required.

• EB-1B: For professors and researchers. PERM is not required.

• EB-1C: For multi-national managers and executives. PERM is not required.

• EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW): For individuals with work of national importance. Eligible for self-petitioning, and PERM is not necessary.

• EB-2 PERM: For individuals with an advanced degree or extraordinary ability. PERM is necessary.

• EB-3: For skilled, professional or other workers. Perm is necessary.

• EB-4: For special immigrants. PERM is not required.

• EB-5: For immigrant investors. PERM is not required.

Note: PERM stands for Program Electronic Review Management and is regulated by the US Department of Labour. It is a required step for most employment-based (EB-2 and EB-3) Green Cards. Its main goal is to ensure that hiring a foreign national will not negatively impact the wages or job opportunities of qualified US workers.

3. PERM Labour Certification Phase

The next step is the Program for Electronic Review Management (PERM) labour certificate for EB-2 PERM and EB-3 petitions. It shows the US Department of Labour that you are not taking a job away from a US citizen. Your sponsoring employee carries out the PERM process, which usually takes around 6 to 18 months. It depends on whether or not your employer is selected for an audit.

The time period for a PERM process can be broken down into the following steps:

• Prevailing Wage Request: Your employer will get a prevailing wage from the Department of Labour. It takes around two weeks.

• Recruitment Process: In this stage, your employer works with the Department of Labour to establish that there are no qualified US workers for your position and you are the best candidate. This takes several months to complete.

• ETA-9089 Application: Your employer must submit the ETA-9089 application to the Department of Labour. They take around 6 months to review and approve the application.

4. Petition Phase

This step is for immigrants with petitions not requiring the PERM process. EB-2 PERM and EB-3 applicants can do this step after the PERM is approved.

• In this phase, the immigration petition is prepared.
• Form I-140 (Immigration Petition for Alien Worker) is prepared with supporting documents for employment-based petitions.
• Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) is prepared with supporting documents for family-based petitions.
• Preparing the petition can take a few months. It depends on the petition type and the legal services firm you work with.
• Some petitions require hundreds of pages of documents, while others are more straightforward.
• After the petition is prepared, it is printed on paper and shipped to a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) service centre.
• Some petitions are eligible for premium processing and can be reviewed and approved by USCIS within 15 or 45 business days (approx). 
• In other cases, you must wait for years to receive approval.

5. Adjustment of Status Phase

It refers to the process of becoming a permanent resident or a green card holder from within the United States. In this phase:

• You must file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, for a green card application.
• You must ensure you are using the correct edition of Form I-485. (Note: After February 10, 2025, only the 10/24/24 edition will be accepted)
• You will receive your Green Card after the approval of Form I-485.

Green Card Process Steps When Applying from Outside the US

If you are applying for a Green Card from outside the United States, you must go through consular processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Since procedures may vary by location, check with your designated consulate for the latest requirements and instructions.

• Determining the Green Card category you might be eligible for
• Filing your immigration petition
• Finding out which forms and documents you require
• Prepare for in-person appointments you may have with the consular office
• Estimating when you will receive your Green Card

What is the Green Card Application Cost?

As of April 2026, the primary USCIS Immigrant Fee is $235, which is paid after receiving an immigrant visa and before travelling to the United States. For those applying for a Green Card from within the United States, the form I-485 filing fee is $1440. Fees for renewals or replacements generally cost $185 to $190.

What Happens After Submitting Your Green Card Application?

There are a few things that happen after you submit your Green Card application to the government. These are:

• Receive the Receipt Notice from USCIS with a receipt number to track your Green Card application status.
• Attend the Biometrics Appointment to provide fingerprints, a photo, and your signature.
• Respond to any Request for Initial Evidence (RFE), such as a medical examination, if required.
• Attend a Green Card interview if scheduled, where USCIS may verify your work history, immigration status, and application details.
• Wait for USCIS to complete background checks and process your application for a final decision.

What to Do After Submitting Your I-485 Application to USCIS?

Once your I-485 application is mailed to USCIS, you can expect a waiting period of six months or even more before your case is approved.

• During this time period, you must maintain your legal status in India.
• Many individuals choose to file an Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) and Application for Travel Document (Form I-131). Both of them are usually approved within a few months.
• Form I-765 provides Green Card applicants with a temporary Employment Authorization Document (EAD) while Form I-131 allows them to travel internationally.

Important Things to Consider When Applying for a Green Card

There are a few points to remember when applying for a Green Card. These are:

• Wait 90 days before filing Form I-485 if required by your visa type or recent travel history.
• Ensure your priority date is current according to the Visa Bulletin before filing.
• Applicants from countries such as India and China may face longer wait times due to visa backlogs.
• In some cases, you can file the immigrant petition and Form I-485 concurrently to speed up processing.
• Some applicants choose to file Form I-485 only after their immigrant petition is approved.
• EB-1A applicants using premium processing may receive a decision within 15 days and can file Form I-485 after approval.

Conclusion

Understanding the Green Card application process can be an important step towards permanent residence in the United States. While the Green Card process steps may look complex, in reality, it's really simple. Having the right information, preparing accurate documentation and following all the steps correctly can make the application process smoother. From determining the eligibility criteria to attending interviews and waiting for approval of the application, every step requires patience.