EB-1AImmigrant category
EB-1A: Researchers and Scientists
Extraordinary ability petitions for researchers and scientists. Review sustained acclaim, recognized achievements and continuing work in the field.
Read the EB-1A guideUS IMMIGRATION • PERMANENT RESIDENCE
US Green Card and Permanent Residence Lawyer
Explore employment, family and humanitarian paths to lawful permanent residence. Eligibility depends on your classification, supporting evidence, immigration history, visa availability and the filing process.
A petition, labor certification, nonimmigrant status or visa number is not itself a green card.
Employment and investment
Employment-Based Green Cards
Explore extraordinary ability, outstanding research, multinational management, professional, skilled worker and investment pathways. Related labor certification processes are identified separately.
EB-1AImmigrant category
EB-1A: Business, Arts and Other Fields
Extraordinary ability in business, arts, education, athletics and other qualifying fields, with a focus on documented achievements.
Read the EB-1A guideEB-1BImmigrant category
EB-1B: Outstanding Professors and Researchers
Employer-sponsored permanent residence for qualifying outstanding professors and researchers.
Read the EB-1B guideEB-1CImmigrant category
EB-1C: Multinational Managers and Executives
For qualifying multinational managers and executives with the required company relationship, work history and US role.
Read the EB-1C guideEB-2Immigrant category
EB-2: Advanced Degree and Exceptional Ability
For advanced degree professionals and individuals of exceptional ability; examine whether a job offer and labor certification apply.
Read the EB-2 guideNIWEB-2 waiver pathway
NIW: Researchers and Scientists
National interest waiver strategies within EB-2 for researchers and scientists, focused on the proposed endeavor and supporting evidence.
Read the NIW guideNIWEB-2 waiver pathway
NIW: Business, Technology and Other Fields
National interest waiver planning for qualifying endeavors in business, technology, health, education and other nonresearch fields.
Read the NIW guideEB-3Immigrant category
EB-3: Skilled Workers, Professionals and Other Workers
Employer-sponsored options for qualifying skilled workers, professionals and other workers, including applicable labor certification requirements.
Read the EB-3 guideSchedule APetition process
Schedule A: Nurses and Physical Therapists
Green card sponsorship for qualifying nurses and physical therapists using the applicable Schedule A labor certification procedures.
Read the Schedule A guideEB-4Immigrant category
EB-4: Religious Workers
Certain ministers and religious workers may qualify under EB-4, subject to the specific petition and evidentiary rules.
Read the EB-4 guideEB-5Immigrant category
EB-5: Immigrant Investors
Investment-based permanent residence, including qualifying capital, lawful source of funds and job creation requirements.
Read the EB-5 guidePERMLabor certification process
PERM Labor Certification
Employer labor certification involving prevailing wage, recruitment and job opportunity documentation. PERM is a process, not its own green card category.
Read the PERM guideFamily relationships
Family-Based Green Cards
Review eligible family relationships, marriage sponsorship, intercountry adoption and issues affecting conditional residence.
FamilyFamily immigrant categories
Family-Based Green Cards
Immediate relative and family preference categories, including qualifying relationships, petitions and visa availability.
Read the Family guideMarriageFamily immigrant category
Marriage Green Cards
Spousal permanent residence through a qualifying marriage, with appropriate relationship evidence and a suitable filing route.
Read the Marriage guideAdoptionFamily immigration pathway
International Adoption
Intercountry adoption immigration, including the appropriate process and eligibility of the child and adopting parents.
Read the Adoption guideI-751Residence maintenance issue
Divorce and Conditional Residence
How divorce may affect conditional residence, removal of conditions and related family-based immigration matters.
Read the I-751 guideProtection and special eligibility
Humanitarian and Protective Pathways
Some routes permit direct immigrant petitions; others begin with protection or nonimmigrant status and may lead to later permanent residence.
VAWAHumanitarian immigrant pathway
VAWA Self-Petitions
Self-petition options for qualifying abused spouses, children and parents. Permanent residence requires a separate eligibility assessment.
Read the VAWA guideAsylumPotential later adjustment
Asylum and Permanent Residence
An asylum grant may provide a later adjustment pathway for an eligible asylee; asylum itself is not a green card.
Read the Asylum guideUPotential later adjustment
U Visa and Later Adjustment
Qualifying crime victims may pursue U nonimmigrant status, followed by a separate permanent residence process if eligible.
Read the U guideTPotential later adjustment
T Visa and Later Adjustment
Eligible survivors of human trafficking may pursue T nonimmigrant status and, if eligible, later adjust to permanent residence.
Read the T guideAsylum, U status and T status are not themselves green cards. Later adjustment has separate eligibility requirements.
Filing and maintaining status
Green Card Procedures and Maintenance
Immigration category eligibility is only part of the process. Visa availability, adjustment rules and maintaining residence also matter.
I-485Application process
Adjustment of Status
Form I-485 processing within the United States, depending on the immigrant category, visa availability and applicable eligibility requirements.
Read the I-485 guidePriority datesVisa availability
Visa Bulletin and Priority Dates
Review immigrant visa number availability and applicable filing charts before deciding when to file.
Read the Priority dates guideINA 245(i)Special adjustment provision
INA 245(i) Grandfathered Adjustment
Certain grandfathered applicants may be eligible for adjustment under INA 245(i), subject to detailed statutory requirements.
Read the INA 245(i) guideI-131After-residence planning
Reentry Permits for Residents
Travel planning and residence maintenance for existing permanent residents. A reentry permit is not a green card application.
Read the I-131 guideReentry permits concern travel and residence maintenance for existing permanent residents. PERM is a labor certification process.
A practical starting point
Which US green card pathway fits your situation?
Compare common immigrant pathways and related evidence requirements. This overview is not an eligibility determination. Related employment pathways are grouped together for easier comparison.
| Classification or pathway | Typical situation | Key eligibility evidence | What to verify first |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1A | Extraordinary ability | Evidence of sustained acclaim, recognition and work in the area of extraordinary ability | Self-petition possibility and strength of field-specific evidence |
| EB-1B | Outstanding professor or researcher | Qualifying employer, research or teaching history and recognized achievements | Employer sponsorship and the specific EB-1B criteria |
| EB-1C | Multinational manager or executive | Qualifying organizations, overseas employment and executive or managerial role | Corporate relationship and qualifying duties |
| EB-2 | Advanced degree or exceptional ability | Qualifying education or ability, petition and labor certification if required | Whether NIW or the usual sponsorship route applies |
| NIW (EB-2) | Proposed endeavor supporting a national interest waiver | EB-2 qualification and evidence addressing the national interest waiver requirements | Evidence for the proposed endeavor and waiver |
| EB-3 | Skilled worker, professional or other worker | Qualifying job, worker credentials, sponsorship and labor certification if required | Appropriate EB-3 subcategory and employer requirements |
| Schedule A | Qualifying nursing or physical therapy position | Professional credentials, employer petition and applicable Schedule A evidence | Occupational classification and filing requirements |
| EB-4 religious worker | Qualifying minister or religious worker | Evidence matching religious worker petition rules | Eligibility under the specific religious worker classification |
| EB-5 | Immigrant investor | Qualifying investment, lawful capital and required job creation | Investment structure and currently applicable rules |
| Family sponsorship | Qualifying family relationship | Family petition, relationship evidence and availability | Immediate relative versus preference category |
| Marriage | Qualifying spouse of a US citizen or permanent resident | Marriage evidence, petition and adjustment or consular eligibility | Sponsor status, marriage evidence and filing route |
| VAWA | Qualifying abuse-related self-petition | Eligible relationship and evidence under the relevant VAWA rules | Self-petition eligibility and separate residence requirements |
PERM, adjustment of status and visa availability are not immigrant preference classifications. Petition approval alone does not confer permanent residence.
Frequently asked questions
Green card questions, answered
Is an EB-1A petition the same as a National Interest Waiver?
No. EB-1A is an extraordinary ability classification within EB-1. A national interest waiver is an EB-2 pathway that may waive the job offer and labor certification requirements when the legal standard is met.
Can I seek a green card without an employer sponsoring me?
Some classifications permit self-petitioning, including qualifying EB-1A and EB-2 NIW cases. Other employment categories generally depend on an employer or another qualifying petitioner.
What is the difference between an immediate relative and a family preference category?
The relationship and the petitioner’s immigration status determine the category. Family preference categories are subject to immigrant visa availability; other eligibility rules also apply.
Can I apply from inside or outside the United States?
Eligible applicants may seek adjustment of status in the United States or pursue immigrant visa processing abroad. The correct route depends on the category, immigration history and eligibility.
Does an approved immigrant petition mean I already have a green card?
No. Petition approval and becoming a permanent resident are different steps. Visa availability, admissibility and a qualifying adjustment or immigrant visa process may still be required.
What is PERM labor certification?
PERM is an employer labor certification procedure required for many, but not all, employment-based immigrant petitions. It is not a separate immigrant visa category.
How are Schedule A cases different?
Schedule A provides special labor certification procedures for specified occupations, including certain professional nurses and physical therapists. Petition and immigrant visa requirements still apply.
Can asylum, U status or T status lead to permanent residence?
Potentially. Each has separate requirements for obtaining the initial protection or status and for later adjustment. Grant of the initial benefit is not itself a green card.
What if I am divorcing while holding a conditional green card?
Removal of conditions may involve a waiver or other case-specific analysis. The effect of divorce depends on the residence history and evidence.
Do priority dates affect when I may apply?
For categories subject to numerical limits, visa availability and the applicable filing chart may affect timing. The Visa Bulletin and USCIS filing instructions should be checked for the relevant month.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
What our clients say.
Clients recognize the firm's careful preparation, responsiveness, and commitment to finding the appropriate legal strategy for their immigration cases.
Throughout the process, Peter was knowledgeable, professional, and straightforward. His assistant, Jen, was also outstanding. She was always patient, responsive, and willing to answer my questions promptly, which made a very stressful immigration process much easier.
Tanzil Rahman
Peter is the best immigration attorney you can ask for. He guided me through the entire employment-based green card process, from the EB-2 NIW petition to receiving my green card.
Zach Zach
Peter and Jen are very reachable and patient. They are detail-oriented and very knowledgeable. I really enjoy working with them! If you choose them, you will be in good hands.
Andersen Du
From the very outset, Mr. Messersmith and his team exhibited a level of professionalism and dedication that exceeded my expectations.
aldrick boothe
I found Peter online but I have to say I’m so lucky to find Peter as my immigration lawyer. He is the best lawyer I’ve met before.
Tingjunshen Shen
Peter and his team helped me get approved for both an NIW and EB1A (extra ordinary ability), which ultimately led to a green card.
Chainomi Fregene
We had a great experience working with Peter, he supported me and the family through the EB 1 and I 485 application process.
Suleman Sule
His team has fast and quick communication - typically you will get a response in 1 business day
XULI XIAO
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I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for the exceptional legal representation and support you provided during the challenging process of resolving the issue with my H-4 visa application.
Mounica Sri
Peter and his expert team helped me to take care of my wife's immigration case. They were super valuable, helpful, kind, and caring people.
Sina Rafati
Peter and team helped me get EB1A approved. Most of the lawyers I contacted would say my case is hard for EB1A, but Peter reviewed my CV and rightly advised during each step of the EB1 process. He also filed my NIW which got approved too.
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Nomad traveller
The Messersmith Law Firm is one of the finest law firm in the US.
MAHANTH M
Very professional and helpful. Messersmith Law Firm are the best Immigration Lawyers. Peter is very helpful and guides you all the way in all the documentation and filing.
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He is quite professional and gave me a lot of advice.
Yoli Lin Du
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Best immigration attorney!
haoxun li
I liked Peter's calm, honest, and balanced approach to our very difficult immigration problem.
Alex
Went very smoothly. Very fast responses to my inquiries. Always sent me an email when a status would change.
Lukas
Peter is great. I found him online and scheduled an interview with him, letting him review my CV.
Linlin
The office of Mr. Peter did a great job preparing and submitting my application for a green card.
George
He was very quick to response and he explains everything clearly. He even checked my recommendation letters!
Mikhail F
Extremely intelligent and committed team, highly effective, efficient and there to stand by you when you need them most.
Samvith
These selected testimonials reflect individual client experiences. Results vary according to the facts and circumstances of each matter.
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Review the relevant immigrant category, filing requirements and evidence before choosing a petition or application route.