What are the top seven fastest ways to get a green card in the US if you are undocumented?
If you are in the US and need to get a green card fast, there may be several options. However, not every person will qualify for all of these methods. As a bonus, I have included an option at the end of this video that is a little slower than the rest but has a much better chance that you may qualify for it.
So, what are the fastest ways to get a green card?
The quickest way to get a green card in the US is through marriage to a US citizen. After getting married, you can go from being undocumented to having a green card in as little as 10 to 24 months. Your marriage must be to a US citizen (not a green card holder), you need to be physically inside the United States, and you must have a lawful admission into the US.
If you marry a green card holder, your process will take twice as long because you must wait for your priority date to become current and likely attend an interview at the US Consulate in your home country.
If you are the parent of a US citizen or an unmarried child under 21, you are considered an immediate relative. You do not need to wait for the Visa Bulletin to become current. This means you may get a green card in as little as 1–2 years while inside the US, but lawful admission is required.
US citizens can sponsor family members such as siblings and adult children, but these processes take a long time. Applications must become current according to the Visa Bulletin, and the relative must have no unlawful presence in the US. Typically, these cases require processing outside of the United States.
Another option is the EB1A Extraordinary Ability Visa, an employment-based application for persons who can show extraordinary ability in the Arts, Sciences, Business, or Athletics. If approved, you may get a green card in as little as 1–2 years, especially with premium processing. EB1A does not require employer sponsorship or a labor certification, but you must meet 3 out of 10 criteria to show extraordinary ability. This option is difficult for the average undocumented immigrant.
A similar option is the EB2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) visa. Like EB1A, it is designed to attract top talent to the US. You may get a green card in as little as 1–2 years, but you must satisfy 3 criteria and be working on a project of national importance, such as developing new medical treatments or AI software. Requirements include lawful entry and status.
Asylum used to be a fast way to get a green card for immigrants afraid to return to their home country. Applications must be filed within one year of entry. After approval, you can apply for a green card one year later. However, due to a backlog of over 1 million cases, it can take up to a decade to get an interview and additional time for a green card.
The Military Parole in Place Program is another option. Though Biden’s recent parole program was stopped by the courts, the military parole in place program still exists. It is available for spouses, parents, or unmarried children of US military personnel (active, reserves, or veterans). If approved, you may get a green card in as little as 16–18 months.
VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) provides a path to a green card for spouses, parents, and children who have suffered abuse. Requirements vary by category: spouses must have been married to a US citizen or divorced less than 2 years ago, parents must have a child over 21, and abuse can be physical or emotional. VAWA applications take about 2.5–3 years, with green card processing in 6–12 months. This path does not require legal entry or absence of unlawful presence in most cases.
Bonus option: T Visa
This option is slower but more widely applicable for undocumented immigrants. The T visa protects individuals who have been forcibly taken advantage of. Examples include being forced to work without pay, coerced into domestic labor, or exploited during border crossings. T visa approval takes about 2 years, and you can apply for a green card 3 years after approval (sometimes sooner with special permission). This allows you to go from undocumented status to a green card in approximately 5 years.
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