The application process you’ll follow will depend on where you currently live:

• Living in the United States: If you’re already in the United States, you’ll often be able to file your application and remain in the country while it’s being processed. This is called Adjustment of Status (AOS)
• Living outside the United States: If you’re currently outside the United States, you’ll usually file your green card application from your home country, and remain there while it’s processed by your local U.S. embassy or consulate. This is called consular processing.

There are pros and cons to both pathways, so it’s worth making sure you understand the difference between Adjustment of Status and consular processing. In either case, though, your green card application process will typically follow the same basic steps:

STEP 1: Your sponsor will file a petition with the U.S. authorities to start the immigration process. For family-based green cards this will be Form I-130, which establishes your relationship to the sponsoring relative. For employment-based green cards it will be Form I-140, which requests an employment-based green card on your behalf.

IMPORTANT! In some cases you can file your green card application concurrently with your initial petition, making the whole process more streamlined. Read more about concurrent filing to check if it could help you gain a green card more quickly.

STEP 2: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will review and hopefully approve your petition. Once this is done, you will file your actual green card application, unless you already did so through concurrent filing, using Form I-485 to apply from inside the United States or Form DS-260 to apply from outside the United States. For family-based green cards, your sponsor will also submit Form I-864, pledging to support you financially.

STEP 3: If you’re applying from inside the United States, USCIS will process your application and mail you the details for an appointment to take your biometrics. If you’re applying from outside the United States, your application will be processed by your local consulate, and you’ll get your biometrics taken as part of your consular interview. In both cases, you’ll also need to get a medical exam as part of the application process.

STEP 4: Both application processes require an in-person interview. Once your application is processed, you will be sent a notice with the date and time at which you must attend an interview at either a USCIS office (if applying in the United States) or a U.S. consulate (if applying outside the United States).

STEP 5: After the interview, you’ll be told whether your application has been approved. If you applied from inside the United States, your green card will be mailed to you. If you applied via consular processing, your passport will be returned with a visa allowing you to travel to the United States; once you arrive, your green card will be mailed to your U.S. address.

The application process varies for other types of green cards, such as the diversity lottery, humanitarian, and longtime-residence green cards. More detailed information can be found on the USCIS website.

Boundless will stay with you from your initial petition to your final interview. Along the way, you’ll save thousands of dollars on legal fees while working with an experienced, independent immigration attorney who will answer all your questions and review your application materials.