A Permanent Resident Alien Card, or "Green Card," allows a foreign national to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis.

There are three phases to the employment-based Green Card process:

1. Labor Certification (ETA 9089 Application for Permanent Employment Certification);

2. Preference Petition (I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker); and,

3. Final Application for Permanent Residence (I-485 Application for Adjustment of Status).

Obtaining a Green Card is often a lengthy and time consuming process. This section is meant to provide a general overview of the steps involved.