Green Card Without Marriage: Your Complete Guide
Key Points to Know
- There are several immigration pathways to obtain a U.S. green card without the need for marriage.
- The process you follow will depend on which employment-based or other eligible route you choose.
- Speaking with an experienced immigration attorney at Green Card Link is the best way to determine which option fits your background and goals.
As a foreign national, you have multiple ways to lawfully secure permanent residency in the United States. On this page, we’ll cover the different options for obtaining a green card without marriage and how to evaluate which category may be right for you.
Major Categories of Green Cards
Generally, eligibility for a green card falls into three broad categories:
- Family-based green cards (spouses, parents, siblings, and dependent children of U.S. citizens or permanent residents).
- Employment-based green cards (for skilled professionals, advanced degree holders, and extraordinary ability applicants).
- Special immigrant green cards (for certain religious workers, international employees, and others).
To fully understand your options, consider scheduling a consultation with immigration attorneys at Green Card Link.
How to Get a Green Card Without Marriage
While many assume marriage to a U.S. citizen is the only path, that is far from the truth. Numerous employment-based and skill-based options exist for foreign nationals with strong qualifications. Popular options include:
- EB-1 Priority Workers (extraordinary ability, outstanding professors/researchers, multinational managers)
- EB-2 Professionals with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability
- EB-3 Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers
- EB-4 Special Immigrants
- EB-5 Investors
In addition, certain nonimmigrant visas may serve as stepping stones toward a green card, including:
H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, and J-1 visas.
In addition, certain nonimmigrant visas may serve as stepping stones toward a green card, including:
H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, and J-1 visas.
1 – Employment-Based Green Cards
Each year, tens of thousands of employment-based green cards are issued. These typically require sponsorship from a U.S. employer, though certain categories (such as the EB-2 National Interest Waiver) allow self-petitioning.
Employment-based green cards are divided into preference categories:
- EB-1: Extraordinary ability, outstanding researchers, multinational executives/managers.
- EB-2: Professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability.
- EB-3: Skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers.
- EB-4: Religious workers, certain broadcasters, and other special immigrants.
Your eligibility depends on your skill set, degree, and employer sponsorship. Immigration attorneys at Green Card Link can help evaluate which preference applies to you.
2 – Company Transfer Green Card
If you work for a multinational company, you may be eligible for the L-1 visa as an intra-company transferee. Qualifying positions include executives, managers, or those with specialized knowledge.
After working in the U.S. for at least one year under the L-1 visa, you may pursue permanent residency through categories such as EB-2, EB-2 NIW, or EB-3. In most cases, your employer must sponsor your petition.
3 – Investment-Based Green Card
The EB-5 Investor Green Card allows entrepreneurs to gain residency by investing:
- $1,050,000 in a U.S. business, or
- $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA).
The investment must create or preserve at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs.
Another option is the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa, which allows investors from certain treaty nations to enter and operate a U.S. business. While not a direct green card, it can be a pathway toward long-term residency.
4 – Special Immigrant Green Card
This category applies to individuals such as:
- Religious workers
- Special Immigrant Juveniles
- Afghan and Iraqi nationals who assisted U.S. missions
- Certain international organization employees and NATO workers
If you fall into one of these groups, you may qualify for permanent residency without going through marriage or traditional employment sponsorship.
5 – Education Pathway to a Green Card
International students often transition from an F-1 visa to permanent residency. The typical path includes:
- Completing a U.S. degree.
- Applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT extension.
- Securing an H-1B sponsorship from an employer.
- Progressing to an EB-2 or EB-3 employment-based green card.
While this process can be complex, it remains a viable option for many international graduates.
6 – Family-Based Green Cards (Beyond Marriage)
Marriage isn’t the only family-based option. You may also qualify if you are:
- An unmarried child under 21 of a U.S. citizen
- A parent of a U.S. citizen who is 21 or older
- An orphan adopted by a U.S. citizen
These family-based categories often involve lengthy wait times, but they remain an important pathway to permanent residency.
7 – Other Green Card Options
Other potential routes include:
- Asylum or Refugee Status: If you have lived in the U.S. for at least one year under asylum or refugee protection.
- T or U Visas: For victims of trafficking or qualifying crimes.
- Diversity Visa Lottery: Each year, up to 55,000 immigrant visas are available for applicants from countries with low immigration rates to the U.S.
Green Card Without Marriage: What to Consider
If marriage is not an option, your eligibility will likely depend on your education, job skills, financial resources, or unique background.
Before you file, it is crucial to review USCIS requirements carefully. Working with experienced immigration attorneys at Green Card Link will help you determine the most strategic pathway, improve your chances of approval, and avoid costly mistakes.
How to Get a Green Card in the USA Without Marriage: Application Process
Applying for a green card without marriage can feel complex, but understanding the required forms, supporting documents, and procedures will make the journey much clearer. The exact requirements depend on your immigration category, but below are the most common forms and steps involved.
Key Green Card Application Forms
I-140: Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
For employment-based green cards, the I-140 is usually filed by your employer on your behalf, unless you qualify for a self-petition under the EB-1A or EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW). Most employment-based visas require employer sponsorship. If your green card category requires a PERM labor certification, your employer must complete that step before filing the I-140 petition.
I-360: Petition for Amerasians, Widows, Widowers, or Special Immigrants
Applicants under the EB-4 special immigrant category must file an I-360. This includes certain religious workers, broadcasters, and other special immigrant classifications.
I-130: Petition for Alien Relative
The I-130 is used when U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents petition for eligible family members under a family-based green card category.
I-526: Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur
If applying for an EB-5 investor green card, you must file the I-526 petition. This establishes that you have made (or are in the process of making) a qualifying investment in a U.S. business.
I-485: Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
Once your immigrant petition (such as I-140 or I-360) is approved and your priority date is current, you may file Form I-485. This step adjusts your status from a temporary visa to permanent residence, provided you are already in the United States. Depending on your category, you may also be eligible to file the I-485 concurrently with your petition.
Supporting Evidence Required
Each green card petition must be backed by documentation proving your eligibility. Common requirements include:
- Academic credentials and professional qualifications
- Biographical details and civil documents
- Valid passport and government-issued IDs
- Recent passport-style photographs
Employment-based applicants must also provide evidence supporting their job offer, qualifications, and eligibility for the role.
Filing Fees and Waivers
Filing fees vary depending on your green card category, age, and location (inside or outside the U.S.). While most USCIS and Department of State (DOS) forms require fees, some applicants may qualify for a fee waiver if they demonstrate financial hardship.
Consular Processing for Applicants Abroad
If you are outside the U.S., you will need to complete consular processing at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. This requires filing the DS-260 immigrant visa application.
Medical and Criminal Background Requirements
All applicants must prove that they are admissible to the United States. Two major areas of review are:
- Medical Examination: A USCIS-approved civil surgeon must confirm you do not have a health condition that poses a public health risk.
- Criminal History: Past criminal records, arrests, or detentions must be disclosed. Failure to provide accurate information may result in inadmissibility for fraud or misrepresentation.
Green Card Interviews
Employment-based and special immigrant applicants must attend an interview at a USCIS office or U.S. consulate. It is critical to answer all questions truthfully—dishonesty can lead to denial or even a permanent ban from reentry into the U.S.
Within about 30 days of your interview, USCIS typically issues a decision. If approved, your green card will be mailed within a few months. If denied, the notice will include the reason and whether you may appeal.
Why Legal Guidance Matters
Navigating the process of obtaining a green card without marriage is not always straightforward. Employment-based, investor, and special immigrant categories are often subject to heightened scrutiny. Working with experienced immigration attorneys at Green Card Link can significantly improve your chances of success.
At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys have assisted countless applicants with filing and securing green cards through employment, investment, and other pathways. If you are preparing to apply, booking a consultation ensures you receive tailored guidance for your situation.