GentleCase
General estimate · not legal advice
Explore the paths
Every U.S. green card path, in plain English.
Not sure how to get a green card or which green card you can apply for? There are more ways than most people realize. Below is every major path — employment, investment, family, extraordinary ability, humanitarian, and the Diversity Visa lottery — with a plain-English explainer. Use the checker above for a ranked, personalized estimate, or read the full guide for any path.
EB-1A — Extraordinary Ability
Self-petition for people at the top of their field. No employer, no PERM. Needs sustained national or international acclaim.
Learn about EB-1A →EB-2 NIW — National Interest Waiver
Get a green card without a job offer if your work serves the U.S. national interest. Self-petition, no PERM required.
Learn about EB-2 NIW →EB-2 & EB-3 — Employer-Sponsored
The most common employment green cards. EB-2 needs an advanced degree; EB-3 covers skilled workers and professionals. Both need PERM.
Compare EB-2 vs EB-3 →Marriage & Family Green Cards
Spouses, parents, children, and siblings of U.S. citizens and green-card holders. Marriage to a citizen is the fastest family path.
Family green card guide →EB-5 — Investor Green Card
Invest $800K in a targeted area (or $1.05M elsewhere) and create 10 U.S. jobs. No employer or degree required.
Green card paths explained →Asylum-Based Green Card
Protection for people who fear persecution at home. Apply for a green card one year after asylum is granted.
Read the asylum guide →Common questions
Green card eligibility, answered.
How do I know which green card I qualify for?
Most people qualify through employment, investment, family, extraordinary ability, humanitarian protection, or the Diversity Visa lottery. The checker above asks about your work, education, family, and country of birth, then ranks the categories you could pursue. It's general information, not legal advice.
What are the different types of green cards?
Employment-based (EB-1A, EB-2, EB-2 NIW, EB-3), EB-5 investor, family-based, asylum- and refugee-based, and the Diversity Visa lottery.
Can I get a green card without a job offer?
Yes — the EB-2 NIW and EB-1A categories let you self-petition. EB-5 investment, most family categories, asylum, and the DV lottery also don't require a U.S. job offer.
How long does it take to get a green card?
It depends on your category and country of birth. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens can finish in ~10–14 months; employment categories run from ~1.5–3 years to many years for applicants born in India or China. Timelines shift monthly with the visa bulletin.
Can I get a green card through marriage?
Yes. The spouse of a U.S. citizen is an immediate relative — no annual cap, no priority-date wait. The spouse of a green-card holder uses the F2A category. See the marriage green card checklist.
Is this tool legal advice?
No. It's a general, educational estimate based on your answers — not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. An immigration attorney can confirm what actually fits your situation.