3 ways to get a Green Card on your own in 2025
So you want to get a green card but you don't know how to do it? Well, in this blog, I'm going to talk about three ways how you can get a green card on your own, without a job sponsor, without the need to get married to a US citizen. This is all employment-based options—three options on how you can get a green card on your own.
So, you want to get a green card but you have no idea where to start. Some people tell you you have to get married. Some people tell you you have to get a job. I'll tell you about three ways how you can get a green card on your own. There are ways to do it, and I'm going to break it down for you one way at a time.
This is important because right now the immigration system is going through a lot of changes, and applicants that qualify for self-petitions must be aware of these options. I want to give you all the updated ways how you as well can apply for a green card on your own. This is all based on the immigration law in the United States at the moment, which specifically allows for self-petitions, meaning you can apply for a green card on your own. Three ways.
Now, let's start with way number one. One of the most common ways that I've been doing this right now is based on the EB1A green card application for immigrants with extraordinary abilities. Now, what do I mean by that? EB1A is an employment-based category specifically designed for immigrants with extraordinary ability in science, arts, education, business, or athletics.
You can demonstrate that you have extraordinary ability by providing documents to show your national or international acclaim. One way to show that you achieved that level is by showing that you received something like the Nobel Prize, the Oscars, or an Olympic medal. But that's just one way to show it, and that's where most people get confused, like, "Oh my God, I'm not a Nobel Prize winner, I'm not an Olympic winner."
Yes, those individuals will get it much easier, but the EB1A is not reserved just for those. If you don't have any of these big awards, you can still qualify for the EB1A if you meet three out of 10 criteria, and those criteria are the following:
- You received a lesser nationally or internationally recognized prize. It could be a prize in your particular industry—it doesn't have to be a Nobel Prize.
- Membership and associations in your field that require outstanding achievements.
- Professional or major media publications published about you—for example, being covered in Forbes, Yahoo Finance, or Entrepreneur magazine. One article in that kind of publication will suffice.
- You may have been asked to judge the work of others or participated on a panel in your field, such as at an online or in-person conference.
- Original scientific, artistic, or scholarly work of major significance in your field. For example, writing a book or publishing articles.
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- Having your work displayed at artistic exhibitions or showcases.
- Performing a critical role in a distinguished organization, maybe as a CEO or VP.
- A high salary in relation to others in your field.
- Having commercial success in the performing arts.
Remember, you need only three out of those 10 to qualify for the EB1A. You'll be surprised how many applicants actually do qualify right now because there's a backlog in the EB categories. EB1 is still current, and a lot of applicants who think they can qualify are really trying to do so, specifically applicants from India, where the wait time in all the other EB categories is horrendous. So don't forget self-petition EB1A.
Second way: self-petition under the EB2 National Interest Waiver (NIW). If your endeavor is in the national interest of the United States, you're coming to the US to work in a field that is in the national interest, and you're somebody that holds either an advanced degree or at least a bachelor’s degree with 5 years of experience, you might qualify for this as well.
In addition to being a professional (because most professionals hold education), we also have to prove under a recent case law, also known as the case of Dhanasar, three other things to show that you meet the requirements of a National Interest Waiver. Again, this does not require a job offer. As long as you're a professional or an entrepreneur, you may qualify.
For example, you hold an advanced degree (Master's or above) or a bachelor’s with five years of experience, or you have exceptional skills in your field. Even if you have no education, you could potentially qualify as long as you meet the three requirements of that particular case. The
Dhanasar case has three prongs:
- Your proposed endeavor is of substantial merit and national importance—something that would benefit the United States as a whole. For example, if you're an engineer, your work on developing a product will be of national importance.
- You're in a position to advance this endeavor. You have to show that you're well-positioned to do so, demonstrated by your track record, history of achievements, etc.
- On balance, you have to show that it would benefit the US to waive the requirement for labor certification.
Typically, to get a green card under EB2, you need a labor certification, but with the National Interest Waiver, you can prove you don’t need it. This is excellent for professionals, lawyers, doctors, teachers, architects, and all kinds of entrepreneurs. We can prove there’s a need for their skills if they meet these elements.
Number three: the EB5 investor visa. This is a self-petition where, if you have the investment amount, you can get a green card without a job offer or marriage. There are two options here:
- Regional center: You invest $800,000 into a government-approved project. You get a green card for two years first, and then after two years, you can remove the conditions on the green card. Typically, after 6 years or so, you can get your money back from this investment.
- Direct investment: You invest $1,050,000 (or $1.5M in some cases) directly into your own project, and if you satisfy the hiring of 10 US workers, you’ll be able to get an EB5 self-petition green card that way as well.
EB5 is also very popular because now there’s the option to invest in regional centers in rural areas, and those go really fast—some cases get approved in less than one year.
And there you have it—three options to get a green card on your own:
- EB1A – for immigrants with extraordinary ability.
- National Interest Waiver (EB2) – for professionals and entrepreneurs.
- EB5 – through investment of $800,000 into a regional center or a direct investment of $1,050,000-$1,500,000.
If you are also thinking about a new life in U.S, click the Apply For Residency button and let us help you.
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