BDV Solutions
November 8, 2021

Common Ways to Obtain a U.S. Green Card Outside of the H1B Lottery

1. Family Sponsorship

You may be eligible to apply for a U.S. Green Card as an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen. This includes:

  • Spouse of a U.S. citizen
  • Unmarried child under 21 of a U.S. citizen
  • Parent of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old

Additionally, other family relationships such as a fiancée, widow or widower, abused spouse, abused child (unmarried and under 21), or abused parent may qualify for sponsorship. However, the wait times for family-sponsored Green Cards can range anywhere from 3 years to 10+ years.

2. Refugee or Asylee Status

Immigrants who have been granted asylum or have entered the U.S. as a refugee may also apply for a Green Card after being in the U.S. for at least 1 year. The process may take anywhere between several months to several years.

3. Employment-Based Green Card

Another way to obtain a Green Card is through an EB3 Unskilled Visa. This visa allows individuals to fulfill jobs in the U.S. where there is a labor shortage. The EB3 Unskilled process typically takes 1 to 3 years. BDV Solutions offers this service as it provides a faster route to job stability and lawful permanent residency for applicants.

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