PERMANENT IMMIGRANT VISAS AND GREEN CARDS OVERVIEW
An approved Immigrant Visa is required for all intending lawful permanent residents. In most, but not all cases, an employee seeking sponsorship for an immigrant visa through his or her employer, must have an approved Labor Certification on file before they can be the beneficiary of an Immigrant Visa Petition. Generally, those with a Bachelor's or Master's Degree working in a professional capacity, those who are working in a position which requires at least 2 years of training, and even those performing unskilled labor require an approved labor certification. Those employees working in a Management or Executive capacity, those whose work is deemed by the US Government to be in the National Interest, or are of Extraordinary Ability, and Outstanding Researchers are exempt from the Labor Certification Requirement.
Investors may also qualify for a Green Card based on their investments as long as the investment is not passive, and the investor invests in either a new or existing business, or in a designated Regional Center. Each of these different categories are discussed in detail on this site. Click on the appropriate link to learn more.