Archive · 1 Jul 2025
Overview of US Green Card Legal Pathways
Getting a green card lets you live and work in the US permanently.
The US gives out about 1 million green cards each year.
There are different ways to get one.
Many are given to family members of US citizens.
Some are for workers with special skills, and others are for humanitarian reasons.
There's also a lottery.
Temporary visas are for short visits like school, work, or tourism, but these don't lead to a green card.
The number of green cards available each year has a limit.
The US grants about 1 million green cards annually, enabling lawful permanent residency.
Green cards can be obtained through family sponsorship, employment, or humanitarian programs.
About two-thirds of green cards are based on family ties.
Employment-based green cards have an annual limit of 140,000.
Temporary visas are also issued for work, study, or travel, without a path to permanent residency.
- Who
- Individuals seeking legal permanent residency in the US.
- What
- Legal pathways for obtaining a US green card.
- When
- The current system was built in 1965 and retooled in 1990.
- Where
- United States
- Why
- To provide a guide to the legal methods of obtaining a US Green Card.
Potential Reforms and Challenges
Current Regulations
Immigration Reform
Potential Reforms and Challenges
There is a large backlog of applications due to limited availability.
Current Regulations
Efforts to expand legal immigration have failed in Congress.
- Annual Green Cards Granted
- About 1 million
- Primary Pathways
- Family, Employment, Humanitarian
- Employment-Based Limit
- 140,000 annually
- Diversity Visa Lottery
- 55,000 annually
- Family Preference
- 226,000 per year