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United States permanent residence

5 current source-backed permanent residence pathways. Verify the responsible authority before applying.

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This page contains 5 current routes for this destination, with the available eligibility, requirements and duration details.

Source-backed legal route · Checked 2026-10-22

Current route records

RouteConditionsEffective or checkedOfficial source
Diversity Immigrant Visa ProgramStructured main conditions are not available in the current source extract.2026-10-22Official source
Employment-Based Immigration: Second Preference (EB-2), National Interest WaiverStructured main conditions are not available in the current source extract.2026-10-22Official source
Employment-Based Immigration: Third Preference (EB-3)For skilled workers, professionals and other workers who have a permanent full-time job offer from a U.S. employer, filed by the employer on Form I-140.2026-10-22Official source
Permanent residence routeApplicants may obtain U.S. lawful permanent residence (a Green Card) only by qualifying under a USCIS immigrant category, including family-based, employment-based, immigrant investor, special immigrant, refugee or asylee categories; the applicable relationship, job, investment or protection basis must be met.2026-07-13Official source
Permanent residence routeApplicants may obtain U.S. lawful permanent residence (a Green Card) only by qualifying under a USCIS immigrant category, including family-based, employment-based, immigrant investor, special immigrant, refugee or asylee categories; the applicable relationship, job, investment or protection basis must be met.2026-07-13Official source

Fees, processing times and requirements

Each value as the authority publishes it, in the currency it charges.

RouteFactValueOfficial source
Diversity Immigrant Visa ProgramQualification requiredrecognised qualificationOfficial source
Diversity Immigrant Visa ProgramFamily can come alongyesOfficial source
Employment-Based Immigration: Second Preference (EB-2), National Interest WaiverApplication fee (niw adjust online)1,390 USDOfficial source
Employment-Based Immigration: Second Preference (EB-2), National Interest WaiverApplication fee (niw adjust paper)1,440 USDOfficial source
Employment-Based Immigration: Second Preference (EB-2), National Interest WaiverApplication fee (niw online)665 USDOfficial source
Employment-Based Immigration: Second Preference (EB-2), National Interest WaiverApplication fee (niw paper)715 USDOfficial source
Employment-Based Immigration: Second Preference (EB-2), National Interest WaiverJob offer or employer sponsorship requirednoOfficial source
Employment-Based Immigration: Second Preference (EB-2), National Interest WaiverQualification requireduniversity degreeOfficial source
Employment-Based Immigration: Second Preference (EB-2), National Interest WaiverFamily can come alongyesOfficial source
Employment-Based Immigration: Third Preference (EB-3)Application fee (adjust online)1,390 USDOfficial source
Employment-Based Immigration: Third Preference (EB-3)Application fee (adjust paper)1,440 USDOfficial source
Employment-Based Immigration: Third Preference (EB-3)Application fee (online)665 USDOfficial source
Employment-Based Immigration: Third Preference (EB-3)Application fee (paper)715 USDOfficial source
Employment-Based Immigration: Third Preference (EB-3)Job offer or employer sponsorship requiredyesOfficial source
Employment-Based Immigration: Third Preference (EB-3)Qualification requiredyears of experience (2 years)Official source
Employment-Based Immigration: Third Preference (EB-3)Family can come alongyesOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (residence adjustment online)1,390 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (residence adjustment paper)1,440 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (residence diversity visa)330 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (residence employment iv)345 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (residence family iv)325 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (issuance, residence immigrant fee)235 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (residence other iv)205 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (employment iv)345 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (family iv)325 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (Form I-485 immigration court additional)1,500 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (Form I-485 online)1,390 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (Form I-485 paper)1,440 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (other iv)205 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeWhere to applyat a consulate or in the countryOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (residence adjustment online)1,390 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (residence adjustment paper)1,440 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (residence diversity visa)330 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (residence employment iv)345 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (residence family iv)325 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (issuance, residence immigrant fee)235 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (residence other iv)205 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (employment iv)345 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (family iv)325 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (Form I-485 immigration court additional)1,500 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (Form I-485 online)1,390 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (Form I-485 paper)1,440 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeApplication fee (other iv)205 USDOfficial source
Permanent residence routeWhere to applyat a consulate or in the countryOfficial source

Can you work on this route?

Route-specific work rights and conditions stay separate from shortage-list status and individual eligibility.

RoutePublished work answerOfficial source
Permanent residence routeThe same guide states that the holder must maintain permanent resident status to live and work in the United States; the guide’s general status-maintenance rules remain separate from the route’s grant criteria.Official source
Permanent residence routeThe USCIS guide states that a permanent resident has the right to live permanently anywhere in the United States and work in the United States.Official source

Official sources

  1. Official route conditionswww.govinfo.gov · Checked 2026-10-22
  2. Immigration and Nationality Act section 203(c), 8 U.S.C. 1153(c) (Allocation of immigrant visas, diversity immigrants)U.S. Department of State · Checked 2026-10-22
  3. Diversity Immigrant Visa Program: applicationU.S. Department of State · Checked 2026-10-22
  4. Official route conditionswww.uscis.gov · Checked 2026-10-22
  5. Title 8, Section 204.5 of the Code of Federal Regulations (8 CFR 204.5), cited on the USCIS EB-2 page; EB-2 category of INA section 203(b)(2) (section number not read on a page)U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) · Checked 2026-10-22
  6. Official route conditionswww.uscis.gov · Checked 2026-10-22
  7. Title 8, Section 204.5 and Title 20, Part 656 of the Code of Federal Regulations (8 CFR 204.5; 20 CFR 656), cited on the USCIS EB-3 page; EB-3 category of INA section 203(b)(3) (section number not reaU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) · Checked 2026-10-22
  8. Official route conditionswww.uscis.gov · Checked 2026-07-13
  9. www.uscis.govwww.uscis.gov · Checked 2026-07-13
  10. www.uscis.govwww.uscis.gov · Checked 2026-07-13
Show 1 more source
  1. uscis.gov work evidenceuscis.gov · Checked 2026-08-28