Three Pathways to U.S. Permanent Residency (Green Card) and Citizenship

Permanent Residency, Social Security Card and a Guide for New Immigrants

What is Permanent Residency?

For many immigrants, obtaining permanent residency—commonly called a “green card”—is the first big step toward building a future in the United States. A green card allows you to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely and opens the door to eventual U.S. citizenship.

There are three main pathways to permanent residency: family petitions, employment petitions, and miscellaneous humanitarian or special programs.

1. Family-Based Petitions

Family reunification is one of the most common ways to obtain a green card. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) can file petitions for certain relatives, including:

• Spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens (immediate relatives).

• Other family members, such as siblings and married children of U.S. citizens, or spouses and children of LPRs (though these often involve longer wait times).

2. Employment-Based Petitions

Another major pathway is through employment. U.S. employers may sponsor workers for permanent residency depending on their skills, education, or investment. Categories include:

• EB-1: Priority workers (extraordinary ability, professors, executives).

• EB-2: Professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability.

• EB-3: Skilled and unskilled workers.

• EB-4: Special immigrants (religious workers, certain government employees, etc.).

• EB-5: Investors who create jobs in the U.S.

3. Miscellaneous and Humanitarian Programs

In addition to family and employment, there are humanitarian and special programs that provide a path to residency. These include:

Humanitarian Relief

• Asylum or Refugee Status

• Withholding of Removal / NACARA

• Temporary Protected Status (TPS) pathways

• U Visa (crime victims)

• T Visa (human trafficking victims)

• VAWA (abused spouses, children, or parents)

• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)

Special Programs & Laws

• Registry (for those who have lived in the U.S. since before Jan 1, 1972)

• Cuban Adjustment Act (CAA)

• HRIFA (Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act)

• Diversity Visa Lottery

Special Immigrant Categories

• Religious workers, Afghan/Iraqi nationals, military service members, and others.

From Permanent Residency to Citizenship

Permanent residency is also the foundation for naturalization. Most immigrants can apply for U.S. citizenship after:

• 5 years of permanent residency, or

• 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen.

How PennySmart Group Can Help

At PennySmart Group, we know the immigration system can feel overwhelming. While only attorneys can provide legal advice, we can help you prepare and complete the paperwork for the path that you choose—whether it’s a family petition, employment petition, or one of the humanitarian programs.

📌 We make the process easier by helping you:

• Organize your immigration paperwork.

• Complete USCIS forms accurately.

• Avoid common mistakes that cause delays.

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Call to Action

If you’re ready to take the next step toward permanent residency, don’t do it alone.

📞 Contact PennySmart Group today at 941-282-5787 to schedule your free consultation.

🌐 Visit us at www.pennysmartgroup.com

Let us help you with the paperwork so you can focus on your future.

Disclaimer: We are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice. We are immigration document preparers who assist with forms and procedures at your direction.