What are my U.S. immigration options?

How U.S. immigration is organized

Almost every route into the United States falls into one of two buckets. A nonimmigrant (temporary) visa or status lets you come for a set purpose and period, such as work, study, a visit or an exchange program. An immigrant visa or green card gives lawful permanent residence, which can later lead to U.S. citizenship through naturalization.

Within those buckets, nearly every option depends on one of six things: a qualifying family relationship, a job or employer, a qualifying investment, a plan to study or visit, a need for humanitarian protection, or selection in the Diversity Visa lottery. Most people have only one or two realistic paths.

USCIS handles petitions inside the country, the State Department issues visas abroad, CBP decides admission at the border, and immigration courts sit within EOIR at the Justice Department. Our glossary explains these terms.

Compare the main paths at a glance

Timing ranges are general. Many categories are capped by law each year, so your country of birth and the monthly Visa Bulletin can matter as much as the category itself.

Family-based immigration

A U.S. citizen or green card holder files a petition for a qualifying relative. Spouses, unmarried children under 21 and parents of adult U.S. citizens are "immediate relatives" and do not wait for a numerical cap. Other relatives fall into preference categories that can involve long waits. Start with family green cards, marriage green cards and the K-1 fiance visa.

Work-based immigration

Temporary options include the H-1B, L-1, O-1 and, for Canadians and Mexicans, TN. Permanent options include EB-1, EB-2 NIW and PERM-based green cards. Employers can find their side of the process in our employer hub and business immigration. H-1B costs changed significantly in 2025 and 2026 and are being litigated; see the $100,000 H-1B fee for the latest as of October 2026.

Investment-based immigration

The EB-5 program can lead to a green card for investors who place qualifying capital in a job-creating U.S. enterprise. The E-2 treaty investor visa is a renewable temporary status for nationals of treaty countries. USCIS has finalized new EB-5 filing fees that apply to filings postmarked on or after November 30, 2026. Compare the options in EB-5 vs E-2 vs L-1.

Study, exchange and visits

Students generally use the F-1 visa, exchange participants the J-1, and tourists or business visitors the B-1/B-2. Citizens of participating countries may travel visa-free for short trips under the Visa Waiver Program with ESTA.

Humanitarian protection

Asylum protects people who fear persecution on specific grounds. Temporary Protected Status covers nationals of designated countries. Other programs cover crime and trafficking victims. New statutory fees for asylum, parole and TPS took effect in 2025 and rose again on October 16, 2026; see USCIS fees. If you or a family member is detained, go straight to detention and deportation help and know your rights.

The Diversity Visa lottery

The State Department's Diversity Visa program offers up to 55,000 immigrant visas a year to natives of countries with low U.S. immigration. The DV-2027 entry period was delayed; in October 2026 a federal court ordered the State Department to open registration, with court-approved deadlines calling for entries from November 1, 2026. The government has appealed. Official entries are only made at dvprogram.state.gov. See the green card lottery for dates as they are confirmed.

How to narrow your options

Next: forms and guidance for paperwork and moving to the U.S. for life after arrival.