This is a very brief synopsis of the main methods to receive legal permanent resident status or "greencard" in the United States.

Through Family
Through Employment
Diversity
Asylees & Refugees
Cancellation of Removal (formerly known as Suspension of Deportation)

Family Based Immigration

Spouses, minor children and parents of adult U.S. citizens are "immediate relatives," who are exempt from quotas. In other words, there are no limits on the number of immediate relatives admitted per year and thus. you may be able to receive your greencard very quickly.

If you are not an immediate relative, there are five "preference" categories. These other family based categories are subject to annual numerical limits. Often, these numerical limits cause long waiting times before you can receive your greencard.

First preference is for unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. Citizens.

Second preference is for either spouses & minor children of greencard holders or unmarried adult children of greencard holders.

Third preference is for married sons and daughter of U.S. citizens.

Fourth preference is for brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens.

Employment Based Immigration
 
There are three main categories:

EB-1 : Persons of extraordinary ability in the sciences, art, education, business or athletics; Outstanding Professors & Researchers; Multinational Executives or Managers

EB-2: Professionals with an Advanced Degree or a Bachelor's and five years of progressively senior work experience: Persons with Exceptional Abilities in the Sciences. Arts or Business.

EB-3: Professionals with Bachelor's Degrees; individuals performing a job which requires a minimum of 2 years of education, experience or training; Other workers.

EB-4: Religious Workers & Special Immigrants.

EB-5: Green Card through investment. This category was created to promote investments in businesses and to create and preserve jobs in the U.S.

• Foreign entrepreneurs who invest $500,000 in a commercial enterprise in a targeted employment area that will benefit the U.S. economy and create at least 5 full-time U.S. jobs

     OR

• Foreign entrepreneurs who invest $1,000,000 in a commercial enterprise that will benefit the U.S. economy and create at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs The Million Dollar investment.

Diversity (DV) Lottery

This is an annual program that is open to anyone who has completed high school. 50,000 greencards are issued each year to lucky winners.

Instructions for 2006 DV Lottery

Asylees & Refugees

A refugee who can prove a well founded fear of persecution based upon their nationality, religion, politics, or membership in a particular social group may apply for political asylum. if granted political asylum, the applicant may apply for the greencard one year thereafter. However. barring certain extraordinary circumstances or changes in your country, you must apply within one year of your arrival in the United States. Ms. Suh has successfully represented numerous clients with asylum claims from countries around the world both at the Asylum Office and in Court.

Two Paths to Asylum

Affirmative Asylum Process at a Glance

Cancellation of Removal (formerly known as Suspension of Deportation)

Individuals who can prove ten years of continuous physical presence, good moral character and exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to their U.S. citizen or greencard spouse, parent or child may be eligible to receive a greencard. However, the process is not easy and is done in court before an Immigration Judge.