Green Card (Permanent Residency)
Lawful permanent resident status in the United States, the ultimate goal for most H-1B workers, granting the right to live and work permanently without employer sponsorship.
How It Works
The employment-based green card process has three main steps: (1) PERM labor certification, where the employer proves no qualified U.S. worker is available; (2) I-140 petition, where USCIS approves the immigrant worker petition; and (3) I-485 adjustment of status (or consular processing), where the worker receives their green card. The process can take 1-2 years for applicants from most countries, but Indian-born applicants face backlogs exceeding 10 years due to per-country limits. Employment-based green cards are limited to approximately 140,000 per year, with no single country receiving more than 7% of the total.
Related Terms
- PERM Labor Certification, The first step in the employment-based green card process, the employer must prove to the Department of Labor that no qualified U.S. worker is available for the position.
- H-1B Visa, A nonimmigrant work visa allowing U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in "specialty occupations" that require at least a bachelor's degree, the primary visa for skilled tech, engineering, and professional workers.
- H-1B Extension, Renewal of H-1B status beyond the initial 3-year period, typically to a maximum of 6 years, with possible extensions beyond 6 years if a green card application is pending.
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About This Definition
This definition is part of the H1BVisaTracker H-1B Visa Glossary, 26 terms explaining H-1B sponsorship, work visas, and employment-based immigration in the United States. Written for international workers, employers, and immigration professionals.