Your clear guide to U.S. immigration.
Visas, green cards, citizenship and protection — explained in plain language, with the forms, fees and official sources you need for each step.
Find the path that fits you
Official information on which forms qualify, which forms to file, what it costs and which agency decides.
Browse all guides →Family immigration
Sponsor a spouse, child, parent or sibling. U.S. citizens and green card holders.
Work & employment
Employment-based visas and green cards. H-1B, L-1, O-1 and EB categories.
Study & exchange
Student and exchange visitor visas. F-1, J-1, OPT and STEM OPT.
Visit the U.S.
Tourist and business visas. B-1/B-2 and ESTA for eligible countries.
Green cards
Apply, renew, replace or remove conditions on a lawful permanent resident card.
Citizenship
Naturalization eligibility, the N-400 application, and the civics test.
Asylum & protection
Asylum, refugee resettlement, TPS, VAWA, T and U visas.
Diversity Visa
The annual DV Lottery. Entry is free. Find out if you are eligible.
Immigration through the years
Official counts from the Department of Homeland Security and the Census Bureau. Pick a series, then hover the chart to read any year.
New green cards rose 16.2% in FY2024, to 1,364,090.
Source: DHS OHSS Yearbook Table 1 · Latest available: FY2024
Who got green cards in FY 2024
Share of about 1.36 million new permanent residents · Source: MPI / DHS OHSS
Annual limits (INA)
Statutory caps by category
What do you want to do?
Pick a goal to see the usual sequence of steps. Your path may differ — each step links to the full guide.
The U.S. citizen or green card holder files a petition to establish the relationship.
I-130Immediate relatives have no wait. Other family preference categories follow the monthly Visa Bulletin.
Visa BulletinIf inside the U.S.: adjust status (I-485). If outside: consular processing through the NVC and a U.S. consulate.
I-485Upon approval, the immigrant becomes a lawful permanent resident. A physical green card is mailed.
This is a general overview. Steps vary by your situation. For advice about your case, consult a licensed attorney.
Plan and prepare
Check eligibility, track filing fees and read timelines before you file anything.
Filing fee estimator
Estimate only. Fees confirmed against secondary sources, Oct 2026. Re-verify on USCIS G-1055 before filing. This is not legal advice.
What's changing
New statutory fees now in force
The April 29, 2026 Federal Register rule put the 2025 reconciliation-law statutory fees into effect for humanitarian filings.
What it means for me →Lowest refugee ceiling on record
The FY 2026 refugee ceiling is 7,500 — the lowest ceiling set since the modern program began in 1980. Source: MPI.
See the history →Naturalization approvals swung widely
NPR (April 2026) reported high volatility in 2025–26 naturalization approvals amid policy uncertainty.
See the trend →Common questions
How do I check the status of my case?
Use the receipt number on your USCIS notice. Enter it on the official case status tool at egov.uscis.gov. If you filed at a USCIS field office, contact them directly.
What is the Visa Bulletin and why does it matter?
The Visa Bulletin is a monthly State Department publication that sets cutoff dates for each family and employment preference category by country. If your priority date is before the cutoff, a visa number is available. USCIS states each month which chart applies for adjustment of status.
How long must I hold a green card before applying for citizenship?
Generally 5 years as a lawful permanent resident, or 3 years if you have been continuously married to and living with a U.S. citizen spouse who has been a citizen for that time. You may file Form N-400 up to 90 days early. Check the naturalization eligibility tool to see if the time rules appear met.
What if I cannot afford the filing fee?
Some forms allow a fee waiver (Form I-912) if you meet income or hardship criteria. The N-400 has a reduced fee of $380 for households at or below 400% of the federal poverty guidelines. Use the filing fee estimator to see current fees and check USCIS for which forms are eligible.
Are online visa services or notarios safe to use?
Only licensed U.S. immigration attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives may give legal immigration advice. Notarios and "immigration consultants" are not authorized to practice immigration law and have caused serious harm. See our scam guide for how to verify a legitimate adviser, or find accredited legal help.
Get trusted legal help
Only licensed attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives can give legal immigration advice. "Notarios" and "visa consultants" cannot.
Find accredited help → How to spot and report scams →Built on official sources
Every page links to the agency responsible and links to its pages. When an agency changes something, we update and note what changed and when.