An individual awarded a green card by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services is granted permanent residence within the United States; this also comes with the legal right to work in the country. Applying for a green card can be a complex, lengthy and strict process; however, there are a number of ways in which to file an application and among the most common is the job-based INA category.
The employment-based INA category enables people to become eligible to receive a green card if they have been offered permanent work in the United States. Under such circumstances green cards will be awarded to individuals who are the most qualified in the ranks of applicants according to their professional status.
At the very top of the list are the priority workers, which include executives, researchers, teachers and those who have otherwise demonstrated extraordinary skills. Applicants who have advanced degrees are the next in terms of priority, followed by employees in specialty industries, skilled workers and those whose job it is to create more employment opportunities, such as entrepreneurs and investors.
The employer will need to file a petition on behalf of the immigrant worker they are offering permanent employment to in order for the employee to receive a green card. Those workers already in the United States will have to apply using Form I-485, otherwise known as the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, while those outside the country will have to apply via consular processing using the I-140 US visa.