Acquire a Green Card Without Marriage

Green Card Marriage
There are ways to get a Green Card without marriage.
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Sources

  1. https://www.uscis.gov/green-card
    The official USCIS website provides authoritative information on all types of green cards, including family-based, employment-based, and special immigrant categories, directly supporting the post's claims.
  2. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry.html
    This U.S. Department of State page explains the Diversity Visa Lottery program in detail, validating the post's information about this marriage-free green card option.
  3. https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/permanent-workers
    USCIS's official page on employment-based green cards supports the post's discussion of EB-1 through EB-5 categories and their requirements.
  4. https://www.uscis.gov/eb-5
    The USCIS EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program page provides official details about investment-based green cards, confirming the $500,000+ investment requirement mentioned in the post.
  5. https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility/green-card-for-special-immigrants
    This USCIS page covers special immigrant green cards, supporting the post's claims about eligibility for religious workers, international media personnel, and other special categories.

Key Points

  • Marriage to a US citizen is a common but risky path to a green card if done fraudulently.
  • Alternative green card options include employment-based, investment-based, and special immigrant categories.
  • Employment-based green cards require sponsorship from a US employer and are divided into EB-1 to EB-4 categories.
  • The EB-5 investment-based green card requires a minimum $500,000 investment in a US business that creates at least 10 jobs.
  • Special immigrant green cards are available for specific groups like spiritual leaders, media personnel, and refugees.
  • Relatives of US citizens (e.g., parents, unmarried children under 21) can qualify for green cards without marriage.
  • The Diversity Immigrant Visa (Green Card Lottery) offers 55,000 visas annually to applicants from underrepresented countries.
  • Refugees, asylees, and holders of T or U visas may also qualify for green cards after one year in the US.
  • Consulting an immigration lawyer is recommended to navigate the complex green card application process.
  • DACA provides a pathway for certain childhood arrivals to obtain green cards without marriage.

Summary

There are multiple ways to obtain a U.S. green card without marriage, including employment-based sponsorship (EB-1 to EB-4 visas), investment-based options (EB-5), special immigrant categories (e.g., refugees, asylees, or translators), and the Diversity Visa Lottery. Other paths include family-based green cards for relatives of U.S. citizens or programs like DACA for eligible childhood arrivals. Each method has specific requirements, and consulting an immigration expert is recommended for guidance.

Many immigrants to the United States try to obtain their green cards by marrying a US Citizen. This is one way that someone can qualify for a green card.

Please note that marrying someone just to become a green card holder is called marriage fraud and can get you and your spouse in a lot of trouble.

What are other ways to acquire a green card without marriage?

Other ways to become a United States citizen or become a lawful permanent resident involve qualifying through investments, employment, notoriety, or being lucky through the green card lottery.

Marriage-Free Green Cards

There are plenty of ways to acquire a United States green card apart from getting married to a US national as a foreigner.

Marriage ceremony
There are plenty of ways to get a green card in the USA without marriage. However, a green card marriage is still one of the quickest and easiest ways.

Generally, green card qualifications can be classified into three separate groups:

  1. family-based green cards
  2. employment-based green cards
  3. special immigrant green cards.

What Are the Options for a Green Card Application Without Marriage?

A marriage-based green card is the easiest path to acquiring permanent resident status in the United States. However, most immigrant visa applicants have no marriage ties with a US national spouse or permanent resident spouse.

Business meeting
You should speak with your employer about how to get an employment-based green card.

There are plenty of ways to become a green card holder in the USA without taking on a spouse. However, a green card marriage is still one of the quickest and easiest ways.

Therefore, foreigners with appropriate skill sets, unique abilities, superb academic qualifications, and competence are offered an opportunity to reside and work permanently using various routes without marrying a spouse.

Employment-Based Green Card

Hundreds of thousands of employment-based green card applications are made by foreign nationals to the United States every year. The successful applicants are issued green cards under the employment category allowing them to live and work permanently.

Woman at desk
There are 140,000 employment-based green cards available each year.

According to official reports, 140,000 employment-based green cards under different classes of EB immigrants were issued in 2016 alone.

It would be best if you spoke with your employer about getting a green card.

Usually, employment-based green cards are issued to non-US nationals whose US employer has offered a job. Current or potential employers sponsor most of these green cards to give their employees citizenship status.

Both foreign citizens domiciled in the US or outside the US are eligible for an employment-based visa provided they work for a US employer or have a firm offer from a potential employer. The employer will apply for the visa on behalf of the employee.

Employment-based visas are further sub-categorized into four distinct preferences:

  • EB-1 (first preference)
  • EB-2 (second preference)
  • EB-3 (third preference)
  • EB-4 (fourth preference) 

These four subcategories have different requirements that need to be met. For example, some are reserved for unskilled workers, while others may demand advanced specialized skills.

Investment-Based Green Card

The EB-5 investor green card presents another route for foreign nationals to migrate to the United States. This green card is reserved for business individuals looking to invest more than $500,000 in a United States venture.

Man holding tablet
A great way to get a green card without marriage is through an investment-based green card (EB-5).

 An investment-based green card is a great way to get a green card without marriage. However, the amount of money needed for the EB-5 Invest Green Card is likely to be prohibitive for most people.

If you have the required minimum amount and are ready to invest, this immigration path will serve you the best since you won’t have to wait for a job opportunity to surface in the US.

However, it is necessary to keep in mind the funds must be directed to an approved EB-5 business. In addition, you must show that the investment will create over ten jobs for US nationals.

Special Immigrants Green Card

If you’re ineligible for an employment- or marriage-based green card, options are still available. You can apply for a special immigrant green card.

News media
International media personnel are eligible for special immigrants green cards.

This category is reserved for the following:

  • Spiritual Leaders
  • International Media Personnel
  • Special Immigrant Juveniles
  • A staff (or a family associate of the staff) of a global organization
  • Afghan or Iraqi citizen who has worked as a translator for the federal government
  • Any Iraqi national employed by the federal government past March 20, 2003
  • Afghans working for the ISAF

Refugee or Asylee Green Card Options

If you’re a refugee or asylee in the United States and have been there for more than one year, you may qualify to apply for a United States green card. Also eligible for green card application are those possessing a T or U nonimmigrant visa.

Green Card for Relatives of US Citizens

If you are a relative of an American citizen, then you may be qualified for a green card and permanent residency due to that link.

United States Passport
Relatives of US citizens can qualify for a green card.

Even without marriage, you may be able to get a green card if:

  • You are an unmarried child of a United States citizen under the age of 21
  • You are a parent of a citizen over the age of 21 years old
  • You are a widow or a widower of a United States citizen

If any of these are the case, you should file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

Diversity Immigrant Visa

The diversity program sets aside 55,000 immigrant visas annually for non-US citizens whose countries have fewer than average US permanent residency applications.

Diverse group of women
A diversity visa is another way to start your journey of becoming a US citizen.

This program works like a lottery since success is mainly dependent on luck. However, this option may present you with the path to obtaining a US green card and becoming a permanent resident without marrying a United States national.

A diversity visa will start your journey of becoming a United States Permanent Resident.

Suppose you are fortunate enough to win the Green Card Lottery. In that case, there are several processes that you will be subjected to before you can be granted permanent residency in the United States.

Additionally, it demands that you have the program’s requisite education and job skills.

Although demanding, the diversity visa immigrant remains viable, particularly if you are ineligible for the rest of the visa categories.

Each year, many non-US nationals already residing in the US exploit this option to switch from a nonimmigrant status to permanent status. Those outside the US leverage it to acquire permanent residency in their dream country.

The Legal Aspect of Getting a Green Card

If you are a foreign national applying for permanent residence, you are strongly advised to consult with an expert in immigration law. They will be able to give you legal advice on how to get your permanent resident card which will also give you a work permit.

They will also help you deal with the National Visa Center and any problems with homeland security when applying for citizenship.

So How Can You Get a Green Card Without Having To Marry?

As seen above, there are several ways of acquiring a green card besides getting married to a US national.

Green card acceptance letter
Letter from the USCIS giving a green card to a new permanent resident.

The path to obtaining a US green card without marriage can be actualized by applying for an employment-based green card, investment-based green card, special immigrants’ green card, and, ultimately, diversity immigrant visas.

There is also the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program which is a way for children to get a Green Card. This doesn’t involve marriage.

Summary of different ways of becoming a US Citizen without marriage:

  1. Be sponsored by your employer
  2. Invest money in the United States
  3. Be part of a particular group that has shown their service to the world
  4. Win the green card lottery

 

Acquire a Green Card Without Marriage Quiz

How many diversity immigrant visas are set aside annually?
Which of the following is NOT a way to get a green card without marriage?
Which form should be filed for a green card as a relative of a US citizen?
How many employment-based green cards were issued in 2016?
What is marriage fraud in the context of obtaining a green card?
What is the minimum investment required for an EB-5 investor green card?
What must an EB-5 investment create for US nationals?
What is the DACA program?
Which of the following is NOT a category of employment-based green cards?
Which group is eligible for a special immigrant green card?

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main categories of green card qualifications besides marriage?

Green card qualifications can be classified into three main groups: family-based green cards, employment-based green cards, and special immigrant green cards.

What is an employment-based green card and how can one qualify for it?

An employment-based green card allows foreign nationals to live and work permanently in the U.S. if they are sponsored by a U.S. employer. These are categorized into EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, and EB-4 preferences, each with different requirements such as skill level or job type.

How can someone obtain a green card through investment?

The EB-5 investor green card is available to foreign nationals who invest at least $500,000 in a U.S. venture that creates at least 10 jobs for U.S. citizens. This is a viable option for those who can meet the financial requirements.

What is the Diversity Immigrant Visa program?

The Diversity Immigrant Visa program, also known as the green card lottery, allocates 55,000 visas annually to individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S. Winners are selected randomly but must meet education or work experience requirements.

Can relatives of U.S. citizens qualify for a green card without marriage?

Yes, unmarried children under 21, parents of U.S. citizens over 21, and widows or widowers of U.S. citizens may qualify for a green card without marriage by filing Form I-485.

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One Response

  1. I am a 18 year old girl who graduated this year who cannot go to college because of money. My parents and I are immigrants. I need help to become a US resident, to get a scholarship that I can go to college.

    Thank you .

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