Green Card Through a Job Offer

If you want to apply for a green card (permanent residence) based on the fact that you have a permanent employment opportunity in the United States, or if you are an employer that wants to sponsor someone for a green card based on permanent employment in the United States, you must go through the following processes.

Unless you are eligible to petition for yourself, most employment petitions require a job offer and require that the employer petition for the worker.  Most employers petition for an employee using Form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker. 

Application Process

If You Are Living Outside the United States

You can become a permanent resident through consular processing when living outside the United States. Consular processing is when USCIS works with the Department of State to issue a visa on an approved Form I-140 petition when a visa is available.

If You Are Living in the United States

You can become a permanent resident through adjustment of status when living inside the United States. Once the I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, is approved and a visa number is available you can apply on Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to become a permanent resident.

Supporting Evidence For Form I-485

You should submit the following evidence with your Form I-485:

• Evidence of inspection, admission or parole into the United States (Form I-94, Arrival Departure Record)
• If you have already been approved for an immigrant petition, submit a copy of the approval notice sent to you by the USCIS
• Job offer letter from your employer
• Two color photos taken within 30 days
• Form G-325A, Biographic Data Sheet (for applicants between the ages of 14 and 79)
• Form I-693, Medical Examination (not required if you are applying based on continuous residence since before 1972, or if you have had a medical exam based on a fiancé visa)
• Form I-864, Affidavit of Support (completed by the sponsor)
• This requirement will not apply to you if you are adjusting based on employment petition unless you or a relative own a percentage of the employer company
• Any other evidence establishing eligibility