Fastest Way to Get US Residency
These are the Fastest Ways to Get U.S. Residency in 2023
The fastest way to obtain U.S. residency depends on a number of factors including your current immigration status, the reason for your residency and whether you have any immediate family members who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.
Here are some the most common pathways to U.S. residency:
- Marriage to a U.S. Citizen: If you are married to a U.S. citizen, you can apply for a green card through the adjustment of status process which allows you to remain in the United States while your application is pending.
- Family Sponsorship: If you have an immediate relative who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident they can sponsor you for a green card.
- Employment as an Employee: If you have a job offer from a U.S. employer they may sponsor you for a work visa which can lead to a green card.
- Investor Visas: If you are an investor with substantial financial resources, you may be eligible for an EB-5 visa which allows you to obtain a green card by investing in a U.S. commercial enterprise.
- Asylum: If you are unable to return to your home country due to fear of persecution you may be eligible to apply for asylum in the United States.
Next we will take a deep dive into each of these fast ways to get United States residency
Marriage is the absolute fastest way to get U.S. residency
Marriage to a U.S. citizen is considered a fast way to obtain U.S. residency because it allows you to bypass some of the traditional waiting periods and processing times that are associated with other immigration pathways. When you are married to a U.S. citizen, your spouse can sponsor you for a green card which is the document that grants legal permanent residency in the United States.
The adjustment of status process, which is the process of obtaining a green card while remaining in the United States, is typically faster for spouses of U.S. citizens compared to other immigration pathways. This is because the U.S. government places a priority on reuniting families, and the U.S. citizen spouse can provide support and assistance throughout the application process.
Additionally, the U.S. government is required to process green card applications for spouses of U.S. citizens within 1 to 3 months.
Why Family Sponsorship is a fast way to U.S. residency
Family sponsorship is considered a fast way to obtain U.S. residency because it allows you to bypass some of the traditional waiting periods and processing times that are associated with other immigration pathways.
When you have an immediate relative who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident they can sponsor you for a green card. The processing time for a green card application through family sponsorship can vary depending on a number of factors, including the specific immigration category under which the relative is sponsoring you and the backlog of applications at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
However, certain categories of relatives, such as spouses, minor children and parents of U.S. citizens, are considered to have priority and are processed quicker than other categories of relatives.
It’s important to note that the U.S. government places a priority on reuniting families and family sponsorship is often considered a more expeditious pathway to U.S. residency compared to other immigration categories.
Employment as an Employee is the third fastest way to get U.S. residency
Employment based immigration is the third fastest way to obtain U.S. residency because it allows you to bypass some of the traditional waiting periods and processing times that are associated with other immigration pathways. If you have a job offer from a U.S. employer they can sponsor you for a work visa. This work visa can also convert to full Permanent residency Green Card status at a later date.
The processing time for a work visa and a green card through employment such as the EB-1 for individuals with extraordinary ability and the EB-2 for individuals with advanced degrees have priority and are typically processed in 2 to 6 months.
Obtaining U.S. residency through employment requires a job offer from a U.S. employer and the employer must demonstrate that there are no U.S. workers who are able and willing to fill the position. While employment-based immigration can be a faster pathway to U.S. residency compared to other immigration categories, it is still a complex process that requires careful planning and preparation. Take a Free Visa Assessment to help work out your options.
Investor Visas are the fourth fastest way to U.S. residency
Investor visas are considered the fourth fastest way to obtain U.S. residency because they allow high-net-worth individuals to bypass some of the traditional waiting periods and processing times associated with other immigration pathways.
The most well-known investor visa is the EB-5 visa, which is a federal program that provides a path to U.S. residency for foreign nationals who make an investment in a U.S. commercial enterprise and create jobs for U.S. workers.
The processing time for an EB-5 visa and a green card through investment is around 4 – 9 months. Obtaining a green card through investment requires a significant financial investment in a U.S. commercial enterprise and the creation of jobs for U.S. workers.
Asylum is the fifth fastest way to get U.S. residency
Asylum is not necessarily a fast way to obtain U.S. residency, but rather a humanitarian form of protection for individuals who face persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country. The process of seeking asylum in the United States can be complex and time-consuming. After applying for asylum, the individual must attend an interview with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution.
If the USCIS determines that the individual meets the criteria for asylum, they may be allowed to remain in the United States and eventually apply for lawful permanent residency (i.e. a green card) after one year of being granted asylum. While asylum can provide a pathway to U.S. residency it is not a guaranteed or expeditious process.
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Philippe Ash is a highly respected expert in the field of immigration to the United States. With over a decade of experience, he has established himself as one of the best paralegals in the business. His extensive knowledge and passion for helping people navigate the complex immigration process has earned him international recognition. Philippe's commitment to excellence, combined with his personalized approach to making Immigration Information available to the greatest number of people on a philanthropic basis.