The first is through family, and the second is through employment. Other family relationships that allow a relative to immigrate to the U.S. are unmarried adult child, married adult child, and brother or sister of a U.S. citizen. Permanent residents can apply for immigration benefits for children, spouses, and unmarried adult children. However, unlike the visas for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, visas for other relatives are subject to numerical limits imposed by Congress. The person's place in line for the visa is established by the relative in the U.S. filing a preference petition.
Employment is the second way of becoming a permanent resident.
Persons of extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics who have demonstrated this extraordinary ability through national or international acclaim or recognized achievements are eligible to become permanent residents. Professionals who hold advanced degrees and are doing work that benefits the national interest of the U.S. are also able to become permanent residents. Labor certification is a process though which the U.S. employer demonstrates to the U.S. Department of Labor that the employer is unable to find an American worker that is able, willing, and qualified to perform the job for which the foreign national is sought. The visa lottery is available to anyone from a qualifying country who has either a high school diploma or two years work experience in an occupation requiring at least two years of training or experience. Winning the visa lottery does not guarantee an immigrant visa.