There are ways one can apply for a green card (permanent residence):

• Through your family
• A job offer or employment
• Refugee or asylum status
• Other provisions.

In some cases an applicant may be able to do what is called a “self-petition”, or have a record created for permanent residence on his behalf.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE

In general, to meet the requirements for permanent residence in the United States one must:

• Be admissible to the United States
• Have an immigrant visa immediately on hand
• Maintain an immigrant petition that is filed and approved
• Be eligible for immigration in one of the immigrant categories established in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

We shall discuss the first point here:

Admissibility to the United States

All persons who apply for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status must be able to prove to immigration or consular officials that they are admissible(eligible for admission) to the United States.

To become inadmissible there are many grounds that can make an applicant inadmissible:

• Health-related
• Security- related and
• Other grounds.

In some exceptional cases or specific situations, even if you are found inadmissible to the United States you may still be eligible to file for a waiver on Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Ground of Inadmissibility, or I-602 – Application by Refugee for Waiver of Grounds of Excludability (form required for refugees and asylees) that will excuse your inadmissibility.