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Visas and relocation: United States

United States · permanent residence

Green Card: categories, documents and forms

More than the lottery: family, employment, humanitarian and special categories, adjustment of status inside the US and the consular process.

Checked 01.08.2026

Links point only to USCIS, the US State Department and the official CEAC system.

Important restrictions as at the date checked

  • Since 23 December 2025 the State Department has suspended Diversity Visa issuance. Applications and interviews may continue, but DV visas are not issued; no exceptions have been announced.
  • Since 21 January 2026 immigrant visa issuance has been suspended for nationals of a number of countries, including Russia. Check the latest official guidance before paying any fees or travelling.
Diversity Visa status Immigrant visa status

Choose your basis

The main routes to permanent residence

01

Through family

A US citizen or permanent resident files a family petition. The category, the queue and the rest of the process depend on the relationship and the petitioner's status.

  • The I-130 petition
  • Proof of the relationship
  • I-864 where required
  • DS-260 outside the US, or I-485 inside the US where available
Official category
02

Through employment

The employer, or the applicant in the categories that allow it, goes through the immigrant process on an employment basis. Some categories require labor certification.

  • Identify the EB category
  • The I-140 petition
  • Documents on experience and qualifications
  • DS-260 or I-485 once a visa number is available
Official category
03

Diversity Visa

The electronic lottery runs during the period announced by the State Department. Entry is free and only one application per person is allowed; selection does not guarantee a visa.

  • Check the annual instructions
  • Apply only on E-DV
  • Keep the confirmation number
  • If selected, complete the DS-260
Official category
04

Humanitarian and special categories

Separate grounds exist for refugees, people granted asylum, certain special immigrants and other categories. The evidence required differs.

  • Find the exact USCIS category
  • Check the deadline and your eligibility to file
  • Gather evidence of the basis
  • Use the form for that specific category
Official category

Baseline set of documents

This is a guide, not a universal list: the exact set is determined by the category you choose and where you file.

  • A valid passport and copies of the pages bearing stamps
  • Birth, marriage, divorce or name-change certificates, as applicable
  • Documents evidencing the basis: relationship, employment, qualification or a special category
  • Police certificates and court documents where the consular process requires them
  • Financial documents of the applicant, petitioner or sponsor, depending on the category
  • A medical examination by an authorised physician and photographs per the instructions
  • A full English translation with the translator's certification for documents not in English
  • For the I-485 — documents on your entry, current status and eligibility for adjustment

Official versions only

Forms and applications

I-130

Petition for an alien relative

Family basis

I-140

Immigrant petition for a worker

Employment basis

I-485

Application to register permanent residence

Adjustment of status inside the US

I-864

Proof of financial support

Often required in family cases

DS-260

Immigrant visa application

Completed online in CEAC

I-90

Replacing or renewing the card

Only for a Green Card already issued

Protecting yourself from fraud

Diversity Visa registration is free and happens only on the official E-DV site during the announced period. Do not send money to intermediaries for a "guaranteed win", do not create several entries for one person, and always keep your confirmation number.

Official E-DV site

This material is for reference, does not determine eligibility for any immigration status and does not replace advice from a licensed immigration professional. Check forms, fees, deadlines and restrictions immediately before filing.