How to Get a USA Green Card Without Marriage
The marriage-based green card has become a common route many foreigners use to become permanent residents in the United States. However, not every visa applicant used marriage ties to become a citizen.
Can you get a green card in the United States without marriage? Yes, you can get your green card without a marriage contract. Many Nigerians have found several ways to become U.S. green card holders.
In this guide, Pay4Me will highlight steps to lawfully living and working permanently in the country. You can hit the green card jackpot with special abilities, competence, the right skill sets, and outstanding academic qualifications.
The green card eligibility without marriage chart falls into three categories,
1) Family-based green cards
2) Employment-based green cards.
3) Special immigrant green card.
Employment-Based Green Card
The United States issues employment-based green cards for thousands of applicants under various E.B. immigrant visas. This means you need a job to enjoy this type of green card. For instance, most employers sponsor this type of green card issuance.
You can file for an employment-based visa in the U.S. or outside, provided you work in the country or have received a job offer from a prospective employer.
Types of Employment-Based Visas
· EB-1 (first preference)
· EB-2 (second preference)
· EB-3 (third preference)
· EB-4 (fourth preference)
Each subcategory offers different requirements that must be met to qualify for a green card.
Company Transfer Green Card
If you work for a U.S. company in Nigeria, you can transfer to your office in the U.S. However, you must be eligible for the L-1 Intra Company Transfer visa.
Requirements
You must:
A. Have specialized knowledge, or
B. Be a manager or executive in the company
You can apply for a green card when you work in the United States with your L-1 visa and work for at least one year in the country. With a green card, you can receive permanent residency. Furthermore, you can apply for the EB-2, EB-2 (NIW), or EB-3 green card.
Investment-Based Green Card
The Investment-based green card or EB-5 Investor green card is for entrepreneurs who can invest at least $500,000 or $1 million in an American enterprise. Again, people who have financial resources can use this route.
However, you must have invested in an approved EB-5 company that has provided at least ten jobs in the country.
Special Immigrants Green Card
You can get a green card if you qualify as a special immigrant. How the Special Immigrants' green card does work? You must qualify as any of the following:
1) Special immigrant juvenile
2) Religious worker
3) International broadcaster
4) An employee (or family member of an employee) of an international organization, a member of or NATO-6
Education Green Card
You can obtain a green card after you must have finished a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the country. When you finish your studies, you can use the Optional Practical training for a 1-year work permit.
You can work for a company for one year and ask your employer to sponsor your H-1B visa. However, receiving your H-1B visa does not come without a complicated process. The visa depends on your finances, job market, education, and personal situation.
Family-Based Green Card
Family-based green card has become a popular route for many immigrants in the United States. You don’t need to get married before you can use his route. You can be eligible if:
· You are an orphan adopted, in America or abroad, by a U.S. citizen; or
· You are an unmarried child of a U.S. citizen that’s under 21 years of age; or
· You are a parent of a U.S. citizen that is over 21 years of age
Other Green Card Routes
Applicants can be eligible if they have been residing in the country as refugees or as an asylee. In addition, you apply for a green card if you have a T or U nonimmigrant visa.
Diversity Immigrant Visa
The United States of America’s diversity program offers thousands of immigrant visas for countries with low rates of permanent residency applications to the country. The visa comes as a lottery and depends on luck. If you qualify for the lottery, you must undergo several processes to become a permanent resident.
What to Consider: Green Card Without Marriage
Before applying to any green card-based category, you must check the USCIS requirements.
Employment-based visa: You need job experience, unique abilities, academic qualifications, or skill set.
Special immigrant category: Ensure you meet the conditions mentioned above.
Application Process
A green card application process depends on the category, but they have some similar documents you must fill out.
I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
People using the employment-based green card require this form, which must be filed by their employers (unless they want to apply for the B-1A or EB-2 with a National Interest Waiver).
Furthermore, if your visa requires a PERM labor certification, it would be your employer's responsibility to obtain the certificate on your behalf.
I-360, Petition for Special Immigrants, Americans, Widows or Widowers
With the EB-4 green card category, applicants must submit an I-360.
I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
People who want to apply on behalf of their family members for a family-based green card need this form.
I-526, Immigrant Petition By Alien Entrepreneur
The form is for an EB-5 investor green card.
Green Card Supporting Evidence
· Academic qualification
· Biographic information
· Valid passport
· Recent photographs.
· Documentation to prove your eligibility for the position you are filing for.
Green Card Filing Fees
The filing fees depend on your green card category, location, and age. For some forms, there is a fee waiver option for applicants who cannot pay the filing fees.
I-485, Petition to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
If your I-140 or I-360 has been approved and your priority date is current, you can submit this form depending on your category. In addition, applicants in the U.S. can use the I-485 to petition the USCIS for their eligibility to become lawful permanent residents.
Consular Processing
Applicants living outside the U.S. need to use consular processing for their applications. They can do this at your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate office in their countries. In addition, they have to file their DS-260 immigrant visa applications.
You must also prove that you are not inadmissible based on past criminal records or health grounds.
Applicants with past criminal activity, jailed, or detained for any major crime must disclose that in their applications.
You must answer every question truthfully because false information would lead to you being barred from re-entry into the U.S.
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