How To Obtain a Green Card Without Marriage in the U.S.

America is built by people from every corner of the world, and that mix shapes our neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces. At N400 Harbor Immigration Law, we help individuals, families, and businesses across the country work toward visas, green cards, and citizenship. Many people think marriage is the main route to permanent residence, yet there are many other paths that fit different life stories. In this guide, we break down those options and show you practical ways to reach lawful permanent residence without a marriage case.

Overview of Options for Obtaining a Green Card Unrelated to Marriage

Marriage to a U.S. citizen is only one doorway. You can qualify through work, family, investment, humanitarian relief, or even a lottery run by the State Department.

Here are common paths you can explore beyond marriage:

• Employment-based green cards, including self-petition routes for extraordinary ability and national interest cases.
• Family-preference categories for parents, children, and siblings.
• Investment-based green cards tied to job creation.
• Asylum or refugee status that leads to residence after one year.
• The Diversity Visa Lottery for countries with lower U.S. immigration rates.
• Certain programs such as SIJS, religious workers, or Afghan and Iraqi translators.

Some categories do not require an employer or a family sponsor. Self-petition options exist for EB-1A, EB-2 with a national interest waiver, VAWA, and certain humanitarian visas.

Employment-Based Green Cards

Work-based categories can lead to a green card through a U.S. job offer, a record of top-level achievement, or investment that creates jobs. The USCIS recognizes five main preference groups, often called EB-1 through EB-5, with different rules on sponsorship and labor certification.

EB-1 Visa: Individuals with Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Professors/Researchers, and Multinational Executives/Managers

EB-1 is reserved for top performers. EB-1A fits those with strong evidence of sustained acclaim in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, and it allows self-petitioning. EB-1B targets standout professors and researchers who hold a permanent job offer from a qualifying U.S. institution, and EB-1C covers multinational executives and managers who meet the transfer and role criteria.

Each EB-1 subcategory has strict evidence rules, but it can move faster since no labor certification is required. If your record is ready, this path can be very strong.

EB-2 Visa: Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees or with Exceptional Ability

EB-2 works for those with a master’s degree or higher, a bachelor’s plus five years of progressive experience, or exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business. Most cases rely on a U.S. employer and a PERM labor certification from the Department of Labor. The National Interest Waiver, often called NIW, lets you self-petition without a job offer or PERM when your work has broad benefit to the United States.

NIW cases turn on the merit and importance of your proposed work and your ability to advance it. Many researchers, founders, and professionals use this route when a job offer is not the best fit.

EB-3 Visa: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Unskilled Workers

EB-3 includes three groups. Skilled workers hold at least two years of training or experience, professionals need at least a U.S. bachelor’s degree, and other workers fill certain roles that require less than two years of training. Most EB-3 filings require a sponsoring employer and an approved PERM.

Backlogs can affect timing by country and category. Check the Visa Bulletin to track availability.

EB-4 Visa: Special Immigrants

EB-4 covers several particular situations, some not tied to traditional employment. Common examples include religious workers, Special Immigrant Juveniles, certain Afghan or Iraqi workers who assisted the U.S. government, international broadcasters, and some NATO or international organization cases.

Evidence and timing vary by subcategory. This group solves problems that do not fit cleanly within a standard job petition.

EB-5 Visa: Immigrant Investors

EB-5 is for investors who place a qualifying amount into a new commercial enterprise and create at least ten full-time jobs for eligible U.S. workers. The standard investment is 1,050,000 dollars, or 800,000 dollars in a Targeted Employment Area or certain infrastructure projects. Many families use EB-5 to build or fund businesses while working toward residence.

Expect in-depth review of your funds and job-creation plan. Regional center projects can be an option for pooled investments.

Family-Based Green Cards (Non-Spousal)

Marriage-based cases are common, but other family ties can also qualify. U.S. citizens can sponsor parents and children, and permanent residents can sponsor certain children. People who experienced battery or extreme cruelty by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident relative can self-petition under VAWA.

Immediate Relative Visas

U.S. citizens can sponsor parents, and they can sponsor unmarried children under 21. A child must be at least 21 to sponsor a parent, and a parent sponsors a child only if the child is under 21 and unmarried.

These visas are not capped, which usually reduces wait time. Evidence focuses on the relationship and financial support.

Family Preference Visas

Family preference cases are divided into levels set by Congress. Processing depends on the category and your country of chargeability.

• F1, unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, 21 or older.
• F2A, spouses and unmarried children under 21 of permanent residents.
• F2B, unmarried sons and daughters of permanent residents, 21 or older.
• F3, married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
• F4, siblings of U.S. citizens when the citizen is 21 or older.

These categories carry yearly limits, which can create wait lists. The Visa Bulletin shows when a case can move forward.

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Visas

Survivors of battery or extreme cruelty by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse, parent, or child can self-petition under VAWA. This process is confidential and does not require the abuser’s help. If approved, you can proceed to a green card when eligible.

VAWA protections apply to all genders. Personal declarations and supporting records are vital.

Humanitarian-Based Green Cards

Humanitarian options help people facing harm or who were victims of serious crimes. Pathways include asylum, refugee status, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, S visas for certain informants, T visas for trafficking victims, and U visas for crime victims who help law enforcement.

Asylum and Refugee Status

People granted asylum or admitted as refugees can apply for a green card after one year of physical presence, if they remain eligible. Family members often qualify as derivatives. Protection turns on fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.

Keep proof of harm and country conditions. Timelines and court backlogs can affect how long the process takes.

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)

SIJS helps children who experienced abuse, abandonment, or neglect. It starts with a state court order, then a filing with the USCIS for SIJ classification, and later, a green card when a visa is available.

SIJS can waive many issues that would block other cases. It does not allow sponsorship of the abusive parent later in life.

U Visa: Crime Victims

The U visa supports victims of certain crimes who suffered substantial harm and who help law enforcement investigate or prosecute. After three years in U status, many applicants can apply for a green card.

There is a cap on U visas, and wait lists are long. Certification from a law enforcement agency is required for filing.

T Visa: Human Trafficking Victims

The T visa protects survivors of severe trafficking. After three years in T status, or earlier in some cases, many can apply for a green card.

Cooperation with law enforcement is generally required, with exceptions in sensitive situations. Derivative family members can also qualify.

Diversity Visa Lottery

The Diversity Visa program randomly selects up to 50,000 people from countries with lower immigration rates to the U.S. Selected applicants who meet education or work rules can apply for an immigrant visa. Entries are submitted online during a short annual window, and winners move forward by rank number until visas run out.

There is no fee to enter, and the State Department website posts each year’s instructions. Watch deadlines closely since DV visas expire at the end of the fiscal year.

Other Avenues for Obtaining a Green Card

Some paths sit outside the big buckets. They can be exactly right for a narrow set of facts.

Special Immigrant Categories

Special immigrant visas include SIJS, religious workers, international broadcasters, and certain Afghan or Iraqi workers who supported U.S. missions. There are also paths for people who serve in the U.S. armed forces during wartime, which can speed up residence, and later, citizenship under set rules.

Documentation can be detailed, yet these options are powerful for those who qualify. Check the current program rules for availability.

Investment-Based Visas

Investors who put in the required amounts and create at least ten full-time jobs can qualify through EB-5. The lower 800,000-dollar threshold applies in targeted employment areas and certain infrastructure projects.

Expect heavy review of the source of funds and job counts. Regional centers can help pool investments for larger projects.

Adjustment of Status vs. Consular Processing

There are two main ways to get your green card after an immigrant petition is approved. You either apply inside the U.S. through Adjustment of Status, or abroad through Consular Processing.

Adjustment of Status is filed with the USCIS while you remain in the country. It generally requires a lawful entry and a current visa number for your category, and it can include a work permit and travel document while the case is pending. Consular Processing happens at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the U.S., and you become a resident when you enter with the immigrant visa.

Your history, category, and the Visa Bulletin will drive the choice. We help you choose the route that fits your record and goals.

Need Assistance with Your Green Card Application? Contact Us

At N400 Harbor Immigration Law, we focus on clear advice, strong filings, and steady communication. Our team supports families, professionals, founders, students, and survivors with care and precision. Whether you need a self-petition, employer case, or a humanitarian path, we are ready to help.

Have questions or want to start a case review now? Call 786-891-1309 or reach us through our Contact Us page. We handle cases nationwide and work to move your file forward the right way.