How to Get Green Card in USA – Complete Guide for Indians 2025

This article was last updated and fact checked on July 14, 2025 by Mani Karthik.

So, you want to make America your permanent home.

You’re tired of visa renewals and uncertainty.

You want that green card — the golden ticket to stay forever.

But where do you even start?

The process feels overwhelming, right?

Don’t worry. You’re not alone.

Thousands of Indians get green cards every year.

Yes, it takes time. Yes, it’s complicated.

But it’s absolutely doable.

Let me break it down for you, step by step.

What Is a Green Card?

A green card makes you a U.S. permanent resident.

It’s not citizenship, but it’s the next best thing.

You can live and work anywhere in America.

No more visa dependencies or employer sponsorships.

You can travel freely and return to the U.S.

After 5 years, you can apply for citizenship.

It’s called a “green card” even though it’s not green anymore.

Just one of those American quirks.

The 5 Main Ways to Get a Green Card

There are several paths to permanent residency.

Here are the most common ones for Indians:

(Source: USCIS Green Card Eligibility)

Most Indians go through employment or family routes.

Let’s dive into each one.

Employment-Based Green Cards

This is the most common path for Indians.

If you’re on H1B, L1, or other work visas, this is likely your route.

The 5 Employment Categories

EB-1: Extraordinary People

• Outstanding researchers, professors
• Multinational executives and managers
• People with extraordinary abilities

EB-2: Advanced Degree Holders

• Master’s degree or higher
• Exceptional ability in sciences, arts, business
• National Interest Waiver (NIW) option

EB-3: Skilled Workers

• Bachelor’s degree holders
• Skilled workers (2+ years experience)
• Other workers (unskilled labor)

EB-4: Special Immigrants

• Religious workers
• Certain government employees
• Other special categories

EB-5: Investors

• $800K investment in rural/high-unemployment areas
• $1.05M investment in other areas
• Must create 10+ jobs

Most Indians apply through EB-2 or EB-3 categories.

💡Tip: EB-1 has no waiting time for Indians. If you qualify, it’s the fastest route to a green card.

The Employment Green Card Process

Step 1: PERM Labor Certification (if required)

Your employer must prove no qualified Americans are available.

They advertise the job and interview candidates.

This step takes 18-24 months currently.

Step 2: I-140 Petition

Your employer files this petition with USCIS.

It establishes your priority date — your place in line.

Takes 4-8 months to process.

Step 3: Wait for Visa Availability

This is where Indians face long delays.

You wait for your priority date to become current.

Check the monthly Visa Bulletin for updates.

Step 4: File I-485 (Adjustment of Status)

Once your date is current, you can apply for the green card.

Medical exam, background checks, interview.

Takes 8-14 months to process.

Step 5: Get Your Green Card

If approved, you’ll receive your physical green card.

Welcome to permanent residency!

Current Wait Times for Indians

Here’s the harsh reality for employment-based green cards:

EB-1: No wait (current)

EB-2: 8-12 years wait

EB-3: 5-8 years wait

EB-2 NIW: 8-12 years wait

EB-5: 2-4 years wait

(Source: Boundless Immigration)

Yes, these are long waits.

But your priority date gets established early in the process.

And you can work while waiting.

💡Tip: Consider EB-5 investment route if you have the funds. It’s much faster than employment-based categories.

Family-Based Green Cards

If you have close family who are U.S. citizens or green card holders, this could be your path.

Immediate Relatives (No Wait Time)

Spouses of U.S. citizens Unmarried children (under 21) of U.S. citizens Parents of U.S. citizens (if citizen is 21+)

These categories have no annual limits.

Process time: 8-14 months.

Family Preference Categories (With Wait Times)

F-1: Unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens

• Wait time: 7-8 years for Indians

F-2A: Spouses and minor children of green card holders

• Wait time: 2-3 years for Indians

F-2B: Unmarried adult children of green card holders

• Wait time: 7-8 years for Indians

F-3: Married children of U.S. citizens

• Wait time: 8-10 years for Indians

F-4: Siblings of U.S. citizens

• Wait time: 15-20 years for Indians

(Source: USCIS Visa Bulletin)

The Family Green Card Process

Step 1: Petition Filing

Your family member files Form I-130.

This establishes your relationship and priority date.

Takes 8-33 months depending on category.

Step 2: Wait for Visa Availability (if needed)

Immediate relatives skip this step.

Others wait according to the priority dates above.

Step 3: Apply for Green Card

File I-485 if you’re in the U.S.

Or apply at a U.S. consulate abroad.

Step 4: Interview and Approval

Attend interview to verify your relationship.

If approved, receive your green card.

💡Tip: Marriage to a U.S. citizen is the fastest family-based route. But it must be a genuine relationship – USCIS investigates thoroughly.

Investment Green Cards (EB-5)

This is the “rich person’s” path to a green card.

But it’s also the fastest for Indians.

Investment Requirements

Rural/High-Unemployment Areas: $800,000

Other Areas: $1.05 million

Job Creation: Must create or preserve 10 full-time jobs

The EB-5 Process

Step 1: Choose Investment Project

Work with EB-5 regional center or direct investment.

Do thorough due diligence.

Step 2: Make Investment

Transfer funds to approved project.

Get documentation proving investment.

Step 3: File I-526E Petition

Prove your investment meets requirements.

Takes 12-18 months to process.

Step 4: Apply for Conditional Green Card

File I-485 or apply at consulate.

Get 2-year conditional green card.

Step 5: Remove Conditions (I-829)

After 2 years, prove jobs were created.

Get permanent green card without conditions.

EB-5 Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Fastest route for Indians (2-4 years total)
• No employer sponsorship needed
• Can include spouse and unmarried children under 21

Cons:

• Requires substantial investment
• Investment risk (could lose money)
• Complex due diligence required

💡Tip: EB-5 rural projects often have shorter wait times and lower investment amounts. Consider them first.

Special Situations

National Interest Waiver (NIW)

This EB-2 subcategory lets you skip employer sponsorship.

You petition for yourself.

Must show your work benefits U.S. national interest.

Popular with doctors, researchers, entrepreneurs.

Same wait times as regular EB-2 (8-12 years for Indians).

Diversity Visa Lottery

Indians are not eligible for this program.

The U.S. excludes countries that sent 50,000+ immigrants in the past 5 years.

India always exceeds this threshold.

Asylum-Based Green Cards

If you’re granted asylum, you can apply for a green card after 1 year.

This is only for people fleeing persecution.

Not a general immigration path.

The Reality of Green Card Backlogs

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room.

Indians face the longest green card wait times.

Here’s why:

Per-Country Limits

Only 7% of employment green cards can go to any single country.

India has way more applicants than 7% of the total.

So Indians wait while other countries’ quotas go unused.

High Demand

India produces the most skilled workers seeking U.S. green cards.

Especially in tech, medicine, and engineering.

Current Backlogs

As of 2025, here’s the reality:

• EB-2 India: Clearing 2014-2015 applications
• EB-3 India: Clearing 2015-2016 applications
• Over 1 million Indians waiting in employment categories

(Source: EB5 Visa Investments)

This means if you apply today for EB-2/EB-3, you might wait 8-12 years.

Strategies to Handle Long Waits

Option 1: Wait it out

Stay on H1B (can extend beyond 6 years if green card is pending).

Your family can work (H4 EAD for spouses).

Eventually you’ll get the green card.

Option 2: Consider EB-5 investment

If you have the money, this is much faster.

Option 3: Have a U.S. citizen child

Children born in the U.S. are citizens.

At age 21, they can sponsor parents (immediate relative category).

Option 4: Move to different category

If you qualify for EB-1, switch to that.

No wait time for Indians.

💡Tip: Don’t put your life on hold waiting for a green card. Make plans assuming the process will take the full estimated time.

Document Requirements

Every green card application needs extensive documentation.

Start gathering these early:

Personal Documents

• Valid passport
• Birth certificates (you, spouse, children)
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Divorce decrees (if applicable)
• Educational transcripts and diplomas
• Police clearances from all countries lived in 6+ months since age 16

Financial Documents

• Tax returns (3+ years)
• Employment letters
• Bank statements
• Proof of assets

Medical Requirements

• Form I-693 medical examination
• Must be done by USCIS-approved doctor
• Vaccinations up to date
• TB screening and other tests

Employment Documents (for employment-based)

• Labor certification (PERM)
• I-140 approval notice
• Job offer letter
• Company financial documents

💡Tip: Start collecting documents as soon as you decide to pursue a green card. Some documents (like police clearances) can take months to obtain.

Costs Involved

Green card applications aren’t cheap.

Budget for these expenses:

Government Fees

Employment-Based:

• PERM Labor Certification: $2,000-$5,000 (employer pays)
• I-140 petition: $715 (employer usually pays)
• I-485 adjustment: $1,440 per person
• Medical exam: $200-$500 per person

Family-Based:

• I-130 petition: $675
• I-485 adjustment: $1,440 per person
• Medical exam: $200-$500 per person

EB-5 Investment:

• I-526E petition: $11,160
• Investment amount: $800K-$1.05M
• I-829 petition: $9,525

Attorney Fees

• Employment-based: $3,000-$8,000
• Family-based: $2,000-$5,000
• EB-5: $15,000-$50,000

Total Estimated Costs

Employment-based: $5,000-$15,000

Family-based: $3,000-$8,000

EB-5: $850,000-$1,100,000+

(Source: USCIS Fee Schedule)

These costs can add up quickly, especially for families.

Plan your finances accordingly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Not Starting Early

Green card processes take years.

The earlier you start, the earlier you finish.

Don’t wait until your H1B is about to expire.

Mistake 2: Choosing Wrong Category

EB-2 vs EB-3 can make a difference in wait times.

Sometimes EB-3 is actually faster.

Get professional advice on the best category.

Mistake 3: Job Changes During Process

Changing employers can reset your green card process.

Be very careful about job moves during PERM/I-140 stages.

Mistake 4: Not Maintaining Status

Always stay in valid immigration status.

Any gaps can complicate your green card application.

Mistake 5: DIY Complex Cases

Simple cases might be DIY-able.

But most employment cases need attorney help.

Don’t risk your future to save a few thousand dollars.

💡Tip: Hire an experienced immigration attorney. The cost is worth it to avoid mistakes that could delay your case by years.

What to Expect During the Process

Regular Updates

Check your case status online regularly.

USCIS updates the system when there’s movement.

Request for Evidence (RFE)

USCIS might ask for additional documents.

Respond quickly and thoroughly.

Missing the deadline can result in denial.

Interview Preparation

Most adjustment of status cases require interviews.

Prepare by reviewing your application.

Bring originals of all supporting documents.

Processing Times Vary

Current USCIS processing times (as of 2025):

• I-140: 4-8 months
• I-485: 8-14 months
• I-526E: 12-18 months

(Source: USCIS Processing Times)

Background Checks

Expect thorough background investigations.

Any criminal history must be disclosed.

Even minor offenses can cause delays.

Life After Getting Your Green Card

Immediate Benefits

• Live and work anywhere in the U.S.
• Travel freely (with green card as entry document)
• Sponsor immediate family for green cards
• Access to more financial services
• In-state tuition rates for education

Responsibilities

• File U.S. tax returns on worldwide income
• Maintain primary residence in the U.S.
• Renew green card every 10 years
• Register for Selective Service (males 18-25)

Path to Citizenship

After 5 years as permanent resident (3 if married to U.S. citizen):

• Can apply for U.S. citizenship
• Must pass English and civics tests
• Take oath of allegiance
• Get U.S. passport

💡Tip: Keep detailed records of all your time in the U.S. You’ll need this information for citizenship applications later.

Alternative Strategies

Canada’s Express Entry

If U.S. green card waits are too long, consider Canada.

Express Entry system is much faster (6-12 months).

You can always move to the U.S. later.

Other Countries

Australia, New Zealand, and European countries also offer permanent residence.

Each has different requirements and timelines.

Research all your options.

Return to India

Don’t feel obligated to stay in the U.S.

India’s economy is growing rapidly.

Many successful people return after gaining U.S. experience.

Your Next Steps

Ready to start your green card journey?

Here’s your action plan:

Step 1: Assess Your Options

• Review all possible categories
• Check current wait times
• Consider your timeline and goals

Step 2: Gather Information

• Collect required documents
• Research the process thoroughly
• Get multiple attorney consultations

Step 3: Make Financial Plans

• Budget for all costs
• Consider financing options for EB-5
• Plan for extended timeline

Step 4: Start the Process

• File the appropriate petitions
• Monitor case status regularly
• Stay in valid immigration status

Step 5: Be Patient

• Understand this is a long-term process
• Don’t put life decisions on hold
• Celebrate small milestones along the way

The green card journey is marathons, not a sprint.

It requires patience, persistence, and proper planning.

But millions of Indians have done it successfully.

With the right strategy and professional help, you can too.

Your American dream is closer than you think.

Just take it one step at a time.