However, because of their more distant relationship to the principal beneficiary filing the petition, those beneficiaries will have to wait much longer to obtain a green card. Another popular avenue is obtaining permanent residency through an employment relationship. Foreign nationals who are working on a temporary visa for a U.S. employer can have that employer sponsor a petition for permanent residency. There are a couple arguments that the U.S. employer can put forth as to why the INS should grant the foreign national a green card. The arguments are that there are no other U.S. workers who can meet the minimum qualifications for this job, that the person is extraordinary talented, is an outstanding researcher, or is working in the national interest.
Individuals can also apply for permanent residency without the sponsorship of an employer.
The extraordinary and national interest waiver categories both permit this. However, given the high standards of each, these categories will be available only to a select highly-qualified few. For those facing persecution based on religious, racial, social and political reasons, they may apply for asylum that may eventually lead to permanent residency. Finally, foreign nationals from countries from which the U.S. has traditionally received fewer immigrants can apply for the annual diversity lottery. If they win, they will be permitted to apply for an immigrant visa.