Can I get a US green card without sponsor?

Asked by: Kiel Roberts  |  Last update: January 22, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (9 votes)

There are a couple of distinctive categories for self-sponsored green cards, where a foreign individual does not require an employer or family member's sponsorship – these are for victims of criminal activities and for those demonstrating extraordinary abilities.

Can you get a green card without a sponsor?

Eligibility: Individuals with extraordinary abilities in fields such as science, arts, education, business, or athletics. Criteria: Demonstrated sustained national or international acclaim and recognition. Self-Sponsorship: You can petition for yourself without the need for a job offer or employer sponsorship.

Do green card holders require sponsorship?

You can become a permanent resident in several ways, including: sponsorship by a family member or U.S. employer; refugee or asylee status or other humanitarian programs; or. individual filing.

What is the fastest way for an immigrant to get a green card?

The fastest ways to get a green card or to obtain permanent residency in the U.S. is through the following methods:
  • Immigration through Family Reunification: 9 months to 5 years.
  • Immigration through Marriage to a U.S. Citizen: around 10 months.
  • Immigration of a Political Asylum to the USA: within 1 year.

Can you apply EB2 by yourself?

Those seeking a national interest waiver may self-petition (you do not need an employer to sponsor you) and you do not need to obtain a labor certification from the DOL. Instead, the petition must be accompanied by a completed Form ETA-9089, Appendix A and a signed Form ETA-9089, Final Determination.

6 Secret Ways to get a US Green Card WITHOUT a Sponsor!

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Do I need sponsor for EB2?

This means that you must have the capability to benefit the United States if you were granted an EB2 visa. Unlike the EB2-A and EB2-B visas, you do not need to have a valid job offer. In addition, unlike the other two, you do not need a sponsor.

Who is eligible to self petition for a green card?

Self-Petition for Victims of Crime / VAWA-Based Green Card

This act empowers the spouses and children of U.S. Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) who have experienced abuse to apply for a green card independently of their abuser.

What is the easiest green card to get?

Family-Based Green Cards

If you have an immediate family member who is a U.S. citizen, you may be able to obtain a green card through them. Immediate family members include spouses, parents, and children who are unmarried and under 21 years of age.

Which state is fastest for green card?

This is based on a 2019 study by Boundless: Top States for Fast Green Card Processing: Ohio: Cleveland stands out as a leader in fast green card processing, supported by highly efficient government offices. California: Riverside offers a smooth naturalization process for immigrants.

What is the hardest part of the green card process?

With limited exceptions, all EB-2 and EB-3 green card applications require that the employer obtain a Labor Certification from the U.S. Department of Labor. For petitions requiring this step, the Labor Certification process is often the hardest and most arduous step.

Who Cannot sponsor a green card?

If you've been convicted of one of these types of offenses, you'll be disqualified from sponsoring someone for a green card: Any sex offense against a minor. The production, possession or distribution of pornography involving children or minors. Kidnapping a child.

What if the petitioner has no income?

What happens if the petitioner doesn't have enough income? Petitioners who cannot meet this level have two choices: 1) find a “joint sponsor” who will agree to also financially support the visa applicant, or 2) use the income of a household member to meet the Poverty Guidelines.

Can my own company sponsor me for green card?

As a US company, you can sponsor green cards for both current and prospective employees. Depending on the foreign worker's qualifications, there are several paths to a green card, each with nuances. This guide will cover everything you need to know before sponsoring an employee's green card.

How much money do you need to sponsor a green card?

Green Card Sponsorship Income Summary

The minimum income for a household of 2 to sponsor a family member or spouse is $25,550 as of January 2025.

How long to stay in the USA for a green card?

To qualify for a green card, however, the applicant will need to fulfill other eligibility requirements, including the following examples: They must have physically lived in the United States for at least three years since receiving a U visa.

Who can sponsor someone for a green card?

The four types of relatives you can sponsor for a green card, as a U.S. citizen, are:
  • Your spouse.
  • Your parents (if you're at least 21 years old)
  • Your children.
  • Your siblings (your brothers and sisters)

How to get a green card immediately?

What is the fastest way to get a green card in the United States? Employment-based (EB) visas are one of the fastest and most efficient ways to get a U.S. Green Card. The EB-5 Visa is often the quickest route. EB-5 investors can self-sponsor, meaning they do not require a Labor Certification or proof of employment.

Which country is the hardest to get green card?

These countries are considered the most difficult countries to get citizenship in the world.
  • Liechtenstein. ...
  • Bhutan. ...
  • Saudi Arabia. ...
  • Kuwait. ...
  • Switzerland. ...
  • China. ...
  • North Korea. ...
  • Japan. Japan, with one of the world's most powerful passports, maintains strict requirements for naturalization.

Who is most likely to get a green card?

  1. Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens. ...
  2. Other Family Members of U.S. Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents. ...
  3. Preferred Employees and Workers, Mostly With Job Offers From U.S. Companies. ...
  4. Annual Diversity Green Card Lottery. ...
  5. Special Immigrants. ...
  6. Refuge and Asylum. ...
  7. Long-Time Residents in the United States.

Who gets denied a green card?

If you have either entered the United States illegally, such as sneaking in as a stowaway, gained entry by misrepresentation, failed to attend immigration removal proceedings, or have abused the visa process, such as violating the terms and conditions of a visa, you could be subject to denial.

What is the difference between a green card and a permanent green card?

Permanent Residents (often called green card holders) are authorized to live and work on a permanent basis in the U.S. Whereas most nonimmigrants must document their intent to depart the U.S. after a period in the U.S., green card holders should have the intent to remain in the U.S.

Who is not eligible for a green card?

If you are currently in removal proceedings, you are ineligible to apply for a green card from within the United States. If you originally entered the United States on a K-1 fiancé(e) visa sponsored by a different partner, but did not marry that person, you generally won't be able to apply for a marriage green card.

Do I need a sponsor to apply for permanent residence?

Anyone applying to be a permanent resident through a family member must have a financial sponsor. A sponsor is also required for a family member coming to work for a relative, or for a company in which a relative owns 5 percent or more of the company.

What documents do I need for a green card lottery?

Submit the following evidence with your Form I-485:
  • Two passport-style photos.
  • Copy of birth certificate.
  • Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record.
  • Copy of passport page with nonimmigrant visa (if applicable)
  • Copy of passport page with admission (entry) or parole stamp (if applicable)