The USA is the undisputed number 1 country of choice for immigrants. No other country in the world has been shaped by its incomers as much as the United States of America. Not without reason do the States act as a magnet for people wanting more out of life than a 9-to-5 job. Those who immigrate from India to the USA will find flexible career opportunities, various cultures, landscapes, and lifestyles, and a place for adventure and self-fulfillment. 

However, the critical hurdle for any US immigrant is that you need a residence and work permit. Therefore, if you want to live in the United States indefinitely, you must apply for a Green Card. The US government’s annual Green Card Lottery is the easiest way to get a Green Card. 55,000 Green Cards are drawn randomly to participants from all over the world each year. 

The participation requirements for the Green Card Lottery are so low that the American dream can come true for almost anyone: you only need a high school diploma or equivalent (or two years of qualified work experience). 

Are you dreaming of immigrating to the USA, or are you even already in the middle of planning? 

If your answer to the above questions is YES, this blog is right for you. Keep reading to find out different ways to obtain a Green Card and settle in the United States of America.  

There are several ways to get a Green Card. But some of these are associated with heavy requirements and, in some cases, unreasonable waiting times.  

However, alternative routes to the Green Card are as follows: 

Common Ways of Green Card for Family Reunification 

Getting a family-based Green Card is one of the most common ways of becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States. Family-based immigration, however, is a complex topic with many different categories, conditions, and waiting times to consider. 

Who is Eligible for a Family-based Green Card? 

Every year, the American authorities issue family-based Green Cards to more than one million people. Spouses, children, or other close relatives qualify for the much sought-after Green Card, which grants them permanent residency in the United States. 

Getting a family-based Green Card starts with a person already living in the US, usually referred to as a sponsor or petitioner. The sponsor can either be a US citizen, or a Green Card holder. The person seeking to immigrate to the US is the beneficiary. 

To get the family-based Green Card process going, the sponsor must file Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) on behalf of the beneficiary. What steps the beneficiary needs to take depends on whether they are still abroad or already in the USA. Detailed and current information about all required documents can be found on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website. 

Apply Green Card Through a Job in the USA 

Getting an employment-based Green Card is quite a challenge for most non-Americans as it comes with high bureaucratic effort, enormous costs, and long waiting times. 

About 140,000 employment-based Green Cards are issued each year. They are divided into different categories based on the specific qualification of the employee: 

EB – 1	A) Extraordinary Ability B) Outstanding Professors and Researchers, Managers and Executives
EB – 2	Advanced Degree, Exceptional Ability
EB – 3	Skilled Workers, Professionals, Other Workers
EB – 4	Special Immigrants and Religious Workers
EB – 5	Investors

The issuing authority, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), for each category has different quotas. As a result, there are different waiting times for each category. These vary from one to six years, depending on the circumstances.  

Depending on your category and qualifications, the Green Card application process for work-based immigration differs. In all cases, a petition must be filed with USCIS, either done by you or your future US employer. 

Green Card Through Investment in USA 

Is it possible to buy a Green Card? Well, yes, kind of. America always welcomes people who seek to invest in the US economy. You can qualify for a Green Card through investment if you have enough assets. This can be an excellent way for you to move to the USA and start the business of your dreams. 

You may have heard of the “Million Dollar Green Card” or the possibility of “buy a Green Card.” This refers to the EB-5 visa, which you can get through the Immigrant Investor Program. The program was established as part of the Immigration Act of 1990 and was last modified in 2019. It enables foreign entrepreneurs who invest a larger amount in the USA to get a Green Card. 

The Green Card through investment is particularly interesting for self-employed and businesspeople. If they dispose of enough money or other assets, the investor Green Card is a good opportunity to get to the United States without long waiting times. 

Requirements For an Investor Green Card 

While the investor Green Card has many advantages, it also comes with various requirements. To qualify for an EB-5 visa, you have to: 

• Invest $1.8 million (respectively $900,000 in targeted employment areas) 
• Present a business plan that explains how the US economy will benefit from your investment 
• Create or preserve at least ten full-time jobs for American workers 
• Invest in a new business (founded after November 29th, 1990), or purchase and restructure a business 
• Play an active role in your company 

• Prove that your investment capital is not acquired through illegal means 

Can You Get Green Card After Marrying an American? 

Many USA fans dream of getting a Green Card by marrying an American. However, the US authorities’ costs, hurdles, and security mechanisms are often underestimated. 

For most lovers, getting a Green Card through marriage is a legitimate way to immigrate to the United States. Nevertheless, the marriage-based Green Card process can be a tiring business. Most of the difficulties arise from the amount of evidence you must present to the issuing authority, U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS). 

If you plan to apply for a Green Card after marriage, prepare well. Even if your marriage is legal and old-established, review your joint history to avoid any discrepancies (and thus rejection). In at least one Green Card interview, a US government employee will ask you questions about your daily life. 

Always stick to the truth, even if specific details may make you uncomfortable. Even the slightest variance between your stories may result in the rejection of your Green Card application.  

Conclusion 

If you do not qualify for any of the paths to a Green Card listed here, then short-term living and working in the US is possible with a work visa (e.g., E-visa or the L-visa). The amount of money your emigration to the United States will cost depends on your personal journey. 

For example, while winning the Green Card Lottery is one of the cheapest methods of emigration, a Green Card by investment costs an enormous amount of money. Therefore, we recommend you always have a ticket in the Green Card Lottery pot during all your immigration efforts.