US Green Card 2027: Categories and Steps
Learn the main ways to get a US green card in 2027, from family and employment to investment and humanitarian routes, how the process works, and the latest changes to know.
Emily Carter
Last updated
What a Green Card Gives You
A green card, officially called a Permanent Resident Card, lets you live and work in the United States permanently, and it can later lead to US citizenship. Once approved, it doesn’t depend on one employer or sponsor. There is no single green card application: the steps you follow depend completely on the category you qualify for. The main categories are family, employment, investment and humanitarian protection, plus a few special ones.
The Main Ways to Get a Green Card
Family green cards are for close relatives of US citizens, such as spouses, parents and unmarried children under 21, and for some relatives of citizens and green card holders. Employment green cards are for workers sponsored by a US employer, and for some highly skilled people who can apply on their own. Investors can qualify through the EB-5 program by investing in a US business that creates jobs, or through the new Gold Card program launched in December 2025. Refugees and asylees can usually apply after one year in that status.
How the Employment Route Works
Most employment green cards start with a US employer sponsoring you, usually after the Department of Labor confirms that no qualified US worker is available for the job. Some advanced-degree professionals can skip this step and apply on their own through a National Interest Waiver, if their work benefits the United States. Even after approval, you usually have to wait until your priority date is current in the State Department’s monthly Visa Bulletin. Waiting times depend a lot on your category and your country of birth.
Two Ways to Finish the Process
When a green card is available for you, you finish the process in one of two ways. If you are already in the United States legally, you can apply to adjust your status with USCIS using Form I-485. If you are outside the United States, you go through consular processing, which ends with an interview at a US embassy or consulate. The right option depends on where you are and which category you use.
Changes to Know in 2026 and 2027
The Diversity Visa lottery, often called the green card lottery, has been suspended since December 2025, and court cases about it are still ongoing. In 2026, the US also paused immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries, but that pause ended on 21 August 2026. Rules are changing fast, so always check the latest official updates before you apply.
Can You Get a Green Card Without an Employer or Family?
Yes, in some cases. Some advanced-degree professionals can apply on their own through a National Interest Waiver, and investors can apply through EB-5 or the Gold Card program.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Green Card?
It depends on your category and your country of birth. Immediate relatives of US citizens are usually fastest, while some employment categories can take many years.
When Can a Green Card Holder Become a US Citizen?
Usually after five years as a permanent resident, or three years if you are married to and living with a US citizen. You must also meet other requirements, like good moral character and passing a civics and English test.
Check Which Green Card Category Fits You →
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