Green Card

The Green Card is the official identification card that documents “lawful permanent resident” status in the United States of America. This status grants its holder the right to live and work indefinitely in the United States and, under certain conditions, provides eligibility to apply for U.S. citizenship. Unlike short-term visas, the permanent residency permit enables individuals to establish a permanent life in the United States and make long-term plans. The card itself does not guarantee employment, but as cardholders are authorized to work, they can seek and obtain jobs in nearly any sector matching their qualifications. Additionally, Green Card holders may, under specific conditions, access certain federal and state-level social assistance and educational support programs.

Although widely used in public discourse, the term “Green Card” legally refers to the permanent residency status under U.S. immigration law. This status allows individuals who are not U.S. citizens to live, work, study, and access many public services within the United States. Green Card holders become tax residents of the United States and are obligated to comply with federal immigration regulations. Although the physical card must be renewed at specific intervals, the status is essentially permanent as long as the holder does not commit serious violations. Permanent residency status has become one of the central instruments of the U.S. immigration system due to its role in enabling sponsorship of family members and providing a pathway to eventual citizenship.

The Green Card system is administered within the framework of federal laws governing U.S. immigration and the institutions responsible for enforcing them. In this process, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) evaluates the majority of applications, adjudicates requests for status changes, and is responsible for issuing the cards. The U.S. Department of State plays a central role in managing immigration applications from outside the country and programs such as the Diversity Visa Program. Visas issued under the Diversity Visa Program are legally equivalent to permanent residency status and are therefore classified as part of the Green Card category. This framework ensures that different pathways to immigration—such as family, employment, investment, and diversity—are all linked to the same fundamental status.

Historical Development and the Emergence of the Green Card System

The Green Card is the physical plastic card form of a long-standing permanent residency status in U.S. immigration law. The modern immigration system has been shaped by federal laws enacted over various periods, which introduced quotas, regional allocations, and eligibility criteria for admitting immigrants. Over time, the principle that immigration to citizenship must begin with obtaining permanent residency status became the backbone of the system. Thus, the Green Card has become a common reference point for both those who entered the United States with an immigrant visa and those who obtained permanent residency through “adjustment of status” while already in the country. Although program details have changed over the years, the central role of permanent residency in U.S. immigration policy has remained constant.

The Diversity Visa Program has marked a significant turning point in the historical development of the Green Card system. Designed to promote a more balanced geographic distribution of immigration rather than concentrating admissions in specific countries or regions, the program grants a limited number of Green Cards annually to citizens of countries with relatively low rates of immigration to the United States. The program is grounded in provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act, specifically Section 203(c). Under this provision, up to 55,000 permanent residency visas are allocated each fiscal year for the diversity category. This structure serves to balance historical patterns of high immigration from certain countries with underrepresentation from others.^【1】

The diversity visa quota has been revised through subsequent legislative changes. The Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) of 1997 allocated up to 5,000 of this quota for applicants under NACARA, effectively reducing the annual Diversity Visa limit in practice. New provisions under the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2024 further expanded this reduction, bringing the number of diversity visas available for the DV-2025 program to approximately 51,350. Thus, the historical upper limit of 55,000 has been gradually reallocated in favor of other legal programs.^【2】 These developments demonstrate the Green Card system’s capacity to adapt over time to changing political, humanitarian, and security priorities.

Pathways to Obtaining a Green Card and Major Categories

One of the most common pathways to obtaining a Green Card is through family sponsorship. Under this category, spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens are given priority. Additionally, U.S. citizens may sponsor their unmarried children over 21, married children, and siblings, subject to specific quotas and waiting periods. Individuals who are lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders) may also sponsor their spouses and unmarried children for family-based sponsorship. Family-based categories constitute a permanent pillar of the U.S. immigration system, designed to preserve family unity.

The process for family sponsorship varies depending on the specific familial relationship and whether the applicant is inside or outside the United States. Generally, the process begins when the sponsoring U.S. citizen or Green Card holder submits a petition to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Once approved, if the applicant is outside the United States, the immigrant visa process proceeds through consular channels, and upon entry into the United States, the physical Green Card is mailed to the applicant’s address within a specified period. If the applicant is already in the United States, they may apply for adjustment of status to obtain permanent residency. Throughout all these stages, documentation proving the authenticity and sustainability of the family relationship plays a critical role.

Employment-based Green Card categories target individuals with specialized skills, academic qualifications, or specific professional expertise. Managers, professional specialists, researchers with advanced academic degrees, and workers possessing certain technical qualifications may apply under these categories. Typically, a U.S.-based employer assumes sponsorship, and different subcategories (such as EB-1, EB-2 NIW, EB-3) apply depending on the nature of the position. In some cases, an applicant’s classification as having “extraordinary ability” may reduce or eliminate the need for employer sponsorship. Employment-based categories aim to attract the skilled labor force required by the U.S. economy over the long term.

Investment-based Green Card applications are primarily structured around the EB-5 program. Under EB-5, individuals who invest at least $800,000 in designated targeted employment areas or $1,050,000 in other regions may qualify for a Green Card if they meet specific job creation requirements. During this process, the investor is required to maintain their capital in the project until approval is granted and initially receives conditional permanent residency status. After meeting the conditions and completing specified timeframes, this conditional status may be converted into permanent residency. The investment-based category serves as a tool to encourage capital inflow and support job creation.

Other pathways to obtaining a Green Card include special categories designated for refugees and asylum seekers, specific international programs, or particular professional groups. These groups are generally evaluated under frameworks of humanitarian protection, religious ministry, or long-term contributions to the United States. As summarized by Visamerika, a broad range of applications fall under family, employment, investment, and special circumstances. Thus, the Green Card provides a multi-channel framework that regulates both family reunification and economic and humanitarian migration. This structure enables U.S. immigration policy to simultaneously serve multiple objectives.

Diversity Visa Program / Green Card Lottery

The Diversity Visa Program is widely known in public discourse as the “Green Card lottery.” It is a special immigrant visa regime designed to encourage immigration to the United States from countries with relatively low rates of immigration, with a fixed number of visas allocated each fiscal year. Officially, applications are accepted only through the Department of State’s online system during designated application periods. Although up to 55,000 diversity visas are allocated annually, the actual number is slightly lower due to allocations for other legal programs. Within this framework, the program offers a pathway distinct from traditional family- and employment-based immigration categories by relying on a random selection process.^【3】

To be eligible for the Diversity Visa, applicants must meet basic educational and professional experience requirements. Applicants must either have completed at least a high school education or its equivalent or have worked for at least two years in the past five years in a profession requiring at least two years of training or experience. Additionally, the program is open only to citizens of countries meeting specific geographic criteria, and countries with high levels of immigration to the United States are excluded from participation. No professional or ethnic preferences are granted among applicants; selection occurs entirely through a computer-generated random drawing. This structure aims to ensure compliance with the legal principle of equality and the goal of geographic diversity.

The application process is conducted exclusively online within a specific registration window. For example, applications for DV-2025 were accepted between October 4, 2023, and November 7, 2023, over a 35-day period. The application form is free of charge, and each applicant may submit only one application; multiple submissions within the same period result in disqualification. The form requires basic information such as identity, marital status, education level, and family details. Applicants track the process through the official DV website and check their results online using their confirmation number.

Selected applicants must complete a series of additional steps to obtain an immigrant visa. The Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) registers selected individuals and tracks their file progress; applicants complete the DS-260 immigrant visa application form, obtain required documents, and attend an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate assigned to them. Applicants already legally present in the United States may, if eligible, apply for adjustment of status through USCIS. Diversity visas are valid only within the relevant fiscal year, so selected individuals must complete all procedures by the designated deadline; otherwise, their selection rights are automatically forfeited. In this regard, the program combines the elements of random selection and a limited time frame into a dynamic structure.

Application Process, Interviews, and Procedural Procedures

Green Card application procedures vary depending on the category pursued. In family-, employment-, or investment-based applications, the first step typically involves the sponsor—individual or institution—submitting a petition to USCIS. Once approved, if the applicant is outside the United States, the immigrant visa process proceeds through consular channels, and upon first entry into the United States, the card is mailed to the applicant’s address. If the applicant is already in the United States, they apply for adjustment of status to transition from their current visa to permanent residency. Throughout all these processes, both qualifications and documentation requirements must be fully met for the application to be accepted.

The general application process requires the preparation of an extensive set of documents. Identity and birth certificates, civil status documents, and official records of prior marriages or divorces form the foundation of the application. Criminal records and court rulings enable assessments regarding security and public order. For investment- or employment-based applications, documents demonstrating the source of financial resources and verifying the investment amount or employer conditions are required. Additionally, medical examination reports and a valid passport are indispensable components of the application file.

For applicants selected under the Diversity Visa program, procedural procedures follow a specific timeline. Individuals selected in the lottery complete the DS-260 immigrant visa application form online and prepare supporting documents as directed by the Kentucky Consular Center. Applicants located outside the United States are interviewed at the U.S. embassy or consulate authorized for their country of residence; during this stage, passports, educational certificates, work experience documentation, criminal records, health reports, and financial status documents are reviewed. Selected individuals already legally present in the United States may, if eligible, pursue adjustment of status, triggering USCIS procedures. In both consular and USCIS processes, deadlines for application completion begin to run once the annual quota is filled or the fiscal year ends.^【4】

The interview process is one of the most critical stages for applications under both the Diversity Visa and other immigration categories. During the interview, the accuracy of information provided in the application, the authenticity of family relationships, the concrete nature of job offers or investment conditions, and potential security risks are assessed. Embassies and consulates apply the same immigration laws to Diversity Visa applications and conduct detailed reviews of applicants’ educational and professional qualifications as well as their immigration history. Being selected does not guarantee visa issuance; applicants found unsuitable during the interview may have their visas denied. Due to the annual quota, applicants who fail to complete the process on time or submit incomplete documentation risk losing their eligibility.

An example document (Anadolu Agency)

Rights, Obligations, and Pathway to Citizenship for Green Card Holders

Green Card holders gain access to a broad range of rights and opportunities in the United States. Permanent residency status means the individual has the right to reside indefinitely in the United States and is authorized to work at the federal level. Cardholders may seek employment in different states and cities, establish their own businesses, and be employed in numerous fields, provided they meet the necessary qualifications. At the same time, access to public educational institutions and, under certain conditions, higher education support is possible. Unlike short-term visas, the Green Card provides a legal foundation for establishing a settled life in the United States.

The obligations of Green Card holders are equally important and parallel their rights. Cardholders must comply with U.S. immigration laws, avoid serious criminal offenses, and renew their card upon expiration. Maintaining permanent residency status also requires avoiding prolonged continuous absences from the United States; otherwise, authorities may conclude that the individual’s ties to the country have weakened. Although the Green Card is a physical document issued for a specific period, the status is considered permanent as long as no violations occur. Therefore, loss of the card, failure to renew it, or violations may jeopardize the holder’s status.

The Green Card also functions as a mandatory intermediate step toward U.S. citizenship. A lawful permanent resident may generally apply for citizenship after maintaining the status for at least five years. For those married to a U.S. citizen, this period may be reduced to three years in most cases. The naturalization process involves completing an application form, undergoing fingerprinting and security checks, and passing an English language and U.S. civics examination. Upon completion of this process, individuals who attend the oath ceremony acquire U.S. citizenship, and the Green Card is replaced by a certificate of naturalization and a U.S. passport.

After acquiring citizenship, the rights previously granted by the Green Card expand to include voting in federal elections, eligibility for election to public office, and appointment to certain government positions. Nevertheless, Green Card holders are protected under U.S. law and receive equal treatment before the judiciary as citizens. Permanent residency, in this sense, can be viewed both as an independent final status and as a strategic step on the path to citizenship. The Green Card system continues to serve as one of the principal instruments of U.S. immigration policy by integrating objectives of family unity, attraction of skilled labor, investment promotion, and diversity.

Statistics, Quotas, and Geographic Distribution

The Diversity Visa (DV) Program, one of the primary pathways to obtaining a Green Card, operates under a quota system allocating up to 55,000 immigrant visas annually (the actual upper limit has been adjusted in certain years to approximately 51,000–55,000 due to NACARA and related provisions). Applications for the program are collected during an online registration period lasting approximately one month each year, and selections are made randomly via computer from millions of qualified entries. For example, in the DV-2024 program, approximately 143,000 individuals and their family members were registered as “selectees” from 22,185,619 qualified applications. In the DV-2025 period, approximately 131,060 individuals and their family members were selected from 19,927,656 qualified applications. These figures are set higher than the annual quota to ensure full utilization of the DV allocation, accounting for the likelihood that a significant portion of selected applicants will not complete the visa process or will be eliminated during the procedure.

Under the program’s geographic distribution, the world is divided into six regions, and no country may receive more than seven percent of the total DV quota. Within the European region, Türkiye has emerged as one of the leading countries in terms of the number of individuals selected in recent years. In the DV-2024 program, 3,684 individuals from Türkiye were selected, placing it among the top countries in Europe after Russia (5,514), Uzbekistan (5,555), and Kyrgyzstan (4,464). In the DV-2025 period, the number of selected individuals from Türkiye increased to 4,194, demonstrating that Turkish demand for the program remains strong and that Türkiye holds a significant share within the program. Since each selected individual may bring their spouse and children, the total number of individuals migrating from Türkiye to the United States exceeds the “selectee” figures.

Examining long-term application trends, statistical data from the periods 2007–2009, 2010–2012, and 2013–2015 provide detailed figures distinguishing “entrants” (applicants) and “derivatives” (spouses and children) by country. These statistical packages present a structured table format, with separate rows for each program year detailing online applications and family member numbers for all eligible countries, including Türkiye. Tables for the 2013–2015 period maintain the same structure and confirm that Türkiye consistently generated a steady flow of DV applications during those years. Thus, since the program’s inception, Türkiye has become one of the participants in the European region with sustained participation in both application numbers and selected individuals. Nevertheless, those arriving through the DV Program constitute only a portion of the total number of “Lawful Permanent Residents” admitted annually by the United States; when considered alongside other immigration categories such as employment, family reunification, or humanitarian status, Turkish nationals form part of a much broader legal and demographic framework of permanent residents in the United States.