Many foreign nationals are now finding ways to get permanently settled in the USA to continue living and working there without any objection. While there are many ways to get US green cards, individuals first need to fulfil specific criteria to qualify for these.

So, if you want to know about the requirements, documents and how to get PR in the USA from India, keep reading. We will discuss all the essential points in brief here.

To carry on with the process for USA PR, applicants will have to take one of the ways that permit them to stay. For example, you get a petition from an employer, a spouse who is a US citizen, or get sponsorship, among other ways.

However, generally, there are some standard eligibility requirements. These are as follows :

• You have lived in the USA for at least five years. However, it is three if you are a spouse of a US citizen
• Have a good moral and health
• Know all about the US government and history
• Can speak, read and write in English
• Living in the USIC district or state for at least three months before applying.

Once you make sure that you meet all the eligibility requirements for PR in the USA, follow the below steps:

Step 1: File form no I-485. This is the application form to get permanent residency in the USA.

Step 2: Next, the officials will inform you of all the mandatory documents that you require to present before them and the amount of fees.

Step 3: An appointment will be scheduled in which USCIS will review your application. They will verify your documents and conduct an in-person interview with you.

Step 4: Once approved, they will issue you a green card. Remember it will have validation of only ten years, after which you will have to renew it.

When a green card expires, it does not mean that the holder has lost his/her status to stay in the USA as a lawful permanent citizen. However, it is a different case if the US government has revoked or abandoned the decision due to a specific reason.

Make sure you have the following documents with you while applying for PR for the USA:

• Two passport-sized photos
• A copy of your birth certificate
• A copy of your passport with a non-immigrant visa
• Proof that you have no criminal record
• Medical examination record
• Affidavit of support or Form I-485
• Biography information sheet

People often look for the easiest way to get PR in the USA from India or the way that requires minimum eligibility. The problem is there is no single answer to this question. The easiest way for someone will depend on the path applicable for him/her.

Here is a list of different pathways along with their respective criteria that applicants need to meet.

1. Diversity Immigrant Visa Program or Green Card Lottery
2. Employment-Based Green Card
3. Family-Sponsored Visa
4. Refugee or Asylum Status

Let’s discuss each pathway in brief below.

1. Diversity Immigrant Visa Program or Green Card Lottery

Every year, the government of the USA holds a green card lottery that provides a Diversity Immigrant Visa Program to around 55,000 immigrants. This category is for those with a low budget to get USA PR. The eligibility criteria are as follows:

Eligibility Criteria

• The applicant must be a foreign citizen and have a low immigration rate.
• He/she must have passed high school or any other equivalent education standard. Individuals will also be eligible if they have the required work experience.
• Prove that they can financially support their own and their family’s stay in the US.
• Have no past criminal record or immigration violation registered against them.

However, even if you meet all the above US green card eligibility parameters, there is no guarantee that you will get Diversity Immigrant Visa. It solely depends on both luck and individual circumstances. However, it can serve as an easy way to get a green card if you get hold of it.

2. Employment-Based Green Card

For those looking to settle in the USA on the basis of their skills or experience, then an employment-based green card is the perfect option for them. One advantage of getting PR through this path is that the wait time is short. However, applicants will have to carry out more work and submit too many documents. The US PR eligibility is mainly judged on the basis of the applicant’s education, skill, and experience.

There are five categories here into which EB visa criteria are divided:

1. EB-1 Priority Worker Visa
2. EB-2 Advanced Degree Professional Visa
3. EB-3 Skilled and Unskilled Worker Visa
4. EB-4 Special Immigrant Visa
5. EB-5 Investors Visa

So, suppose your employer is ready to sponsor your US settlement under EB 1, 2 or 3, or you have enough financial backup to get the fifth visa. In that case, it will take you significantly less time to get permanent residency.

3. Family-Sponsored Visa

This category is for family members and is one of the fastest ways to get an immigration visa in the USA. So, if you are an immediate relative of a US citizen, you fall under this category.

However, there are specific eligibility criteria for PR in the USA that applicants need to fulfill. These are as follows -

Eligibility Criteria

• You are a parent of a US citizen who has crossed the age of 21.
• You are a spouse of a US citizen. This will fall under family second preference in category 2A.
• You are an unmarried offspring of US citizens and are younger than 21 years. This falls under family first preference.
• If you are an unmarried child above 21 years, you fall under family second preference and are in category 2B.
• Married child of a US citizen under family third preference.
• Immediate sibling of an adult US citizen under family fourth preference.

4. Refugee or Asylum Status

When wondering how to become a PR in the USA, one more way is via the path of Refugee or Asylum status. This category is for those experiencing life-threatening conditions in their home country. If they get this visa, authorities will grant them permanent residency in less than one year.

In addition, a long-term resident who is not a US citizen can avoid deportation and get access to a green card if they can prove that their removal will result in severe hardship to another permanent citizen of the country.

On a general note, it takes around 7 to 33 months to get green card approval. However, this time can vary depending on the USA visa type you hold. For example, if you get a Family Preference PR visa, the processing can take between one to ten years.

On the other hand, for an Employment-based PR visa, it can take one year to process your application in low demand. However, for high demand applications, it can take 4 to 6 years.

Now, if your applications get approved by the immigrant authorities, you must pay $220 to the USCIS to move to the US permanently.

After three days from the date of your application submission with the officials, you can track its status online. Just proceed with the following simple steps:

Step 1: Visit the official site.

Step 2: You will see options like selecting visa application type, immigrant visa number, and captcha. Fill in the required columns carefully.

Step 3: After providing these details, click on the ‘Submit’ button. It will show your application status immediately.

Getting a lawful permanent residency in the USA means a person is granted the right to carry on with their livelihood in the country indefinitely. It means they have the right to work without interruption and get an alien registration to travel in other countries freely.

There are many more benefits of carrying out PR process for the USA. These are as follows -

• Holders can freely get employment in the US based on their qualifications and skills, given it is legal.
• Access to vote for local elections like any other US citizen.
• Get complete protection by all of the US, your local jurisdiction and your state of residence.