If you want to stay in the United States for many years, you must have immigration status that supports your stay. And for that, there are two statuses that allow the permanent residence of foreigners in North America:

Permanent residency grants a residence permit for 2 or up to 10 years in the United States if the foreigner has a green card, as reported by Vive USA.

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In the United States. If they want to stay in the country for years, they must have immigration status that supports their stay. Photo: Istock

After 10 years, the beneficiary can apply for the extension and renew its permit. This makes it possible to work, live and study in a documented and temporary manner.

There are four main ways to obtain a green card: through a family relationship, job sponsorship, humanitarian protection (refugees and asylum seekers), and the Diversity Visa lottery.

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What are the requirements to obtain the green card?

The requirements depend on the route along which the Green Card is requested:

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Permanent residence gives a residence permit for 2 or up to 10 years in the United States if the foreigner has a green card. After 10 years, the beneficiary can apply for the extension and renew its permit. Photo: Istock

What are the categories that make you eligible for the green card in the United States?

According to the Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), there are eight main categories of eligibility for permanent residency.

Categories to obtain the green card
1) Through the family: The vast majority of green card beneficiaries get it this way. To obtain it, Form I-130 is filed with USCIS. Those who are unmarried children (under the age of 21) or spouses of a US citizen are eligible. There are also visas that can be applied for by parents or siblings, but have a longer processing time because they are not a priority.
2) Through employment: is granted at the request of a company or organization. Preference will be given to those who demonstrate outstanding ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics. Also those who are teachers or researchers.
3) Special immigrant: It is easier for religious workers who come to the United States to work in a non-profit organization, minors who need protection from the court, representatives of international communications media, and retired civil servants or green card employees to process the green card an eligible international or NATO organization.
4) Refugee or Asylum Seeker Status: Those who have been asylum seekers or refugees in the United States for at least one year file Form I-485 for adjustment of status to USCIS. They must be physically in the country at the time the status is changed. According to the Institute for Migration Policy, about 17% of green cards are issued this way.
5) Trafficking Victim: The United States issues the T visa to victims of human trafficking and the U visa to victims of criminal activity. They can receive the benefit of permanent residence for up to four years while the crime they were a victim of is being investigated in the United States and they cooperate with the investigation.
6) Abuse Victim: Spouses, children or parents abused by US citizens are eligible.
7) Diversidad Visa: The program is also known as a visa lottery because the people chosen to get a green card are randomly selected from the list of eligible persons who have previously registered. 4% of green cards are awarded in this way.
8) Through the Registry: “You may be eligible to register for a green card if you have lived continuously in the United States before January 1, 1972,” says USCIS. However, it is important that you pay taxes on time and that you do not have any problems with the authorities.