3 Ways To Get A Green Card On Your Own

Are you dreaming of getting a green card but don’t know where to start?

You may have heard that marriage to a U.S. citizen or securing a job offer is the only way. But that’s not the full picture.

We’ll break down three self-petition green card options that allow you to apply on your own—no employer, no spouse, just your qualifications and vision. These are all employment-based immigration pathways, legally authorized under U.S. immigration law, and especially important in today’s rapidly changing immigration landscape.

Let’s dive into the three main ways you can pursue a green card independently:

1. EB-1A: Green Card for Individuals with Extraordinary Ability

The EB-1A visa is designed for individuals who have risen to the top of their field in science, education, business, arts, or athletics. You don’t need a job offer or a labor certification—just evidence of your achievements.

Many people mistakenly believe that only Nobel Prize winners or Olympic medalists can qualify. While such top-tier awards are one route, the law also allows you to qualify if you meet 3 out of 10 criteria, including:

• Receiving a nationally or internationally recognized award (not necessarily the Nobel Prize).
• Membership in professional associations that demand excellence.
• Media coverage about your work in recognized publications (like Forbes or Yahoo Finance).
• Serving as a judge or panelist in your field.
• Authoring original scholarly, scientific, or artistic work of major significance.
• Showcasing your work in exhibitions or galleries.
• Playing a critical role in a distinguished organization (e.g., being a CEO or VP).
• Earning a high salary compared to others in your industry.
• Achieving commercial success in the performing arts.

Meeting just three of these can make you eligible. The EB-1 category is also attractive because it’s currently current (no visa backlog), which is a big advantage for nationals from countries with long waiting times—like India.

2. EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW)

The EB-2 NIW is ideal for professionals, entrepreneurs, and researchers whose work serves the national interest of the United States. This option doesn’t require a job offer or employer sponsorship.

To qualify, you must either:

• Hold an advanced degree (Master’s or higher), OR
• Have a bachelor’s degree plus five years of progressive work experience, OR
• Demonstrate exceptional ability in your field—even if you don’t have a formal degree.

Beyond these basic qualifications, you also need to meet three legal criteria established in the Matter of Dhanasar case:

1. Your proposed work must have substantial merit and national importance.
   Example: Engineers developing infrastructure solutions or public health professionals tackling critical challenges.
2. You must be well-positioned to advance the work.
   This means having a proven track record, education, experience, or prior success in your field.
3. It must benefit the U.S. to waive the labor certification process.
   In other words, allowing you to skip the usual job offer process should be clearly advantageous to the country.

The NIW route is highly attractive for scientists, healthcare workers, educators, startup founders, and other skilled professionals contributing to America’s progress.

3. EB-5 Investor Visa: The Path Through Investment

If you have capital to invest, the EB-5 visa offers a direct route to a green card—no employer or marriage required.

You have two options:

• $800,000 investment into a government-approved regional center project (often in rural or high-unemployment areas).
  You’ll receive a 2-year conditional green card, and after proving job creation and other requirements, you can remove conditions and eventually reclaim your investment (usually in 5–6 years).
• $1,050,000 direct investment into your own business, as long as you create at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs.

The EB-5 program is gaining popularity thanks to faster processing times, especially in rural and infrastructure-targeted projects—some being approved in under a year.

You don’t need a job offer. You don’t need to get married.
You just need the right credentials—and the right strategy.

Here’s a quick recap of the three self-petition green card options:

• EB-1A for individuals with extraordinary ability
• EB-2 NIW for professionals and entrepreneurs working in the national interest
• EB-5 Investor Visa for those ready to invest in the U.S. economy

If you believe you may qualify under any of these categories, don’t wait—these opportunities are real, and thousands are taking advantage of them right now.