Instructions

1

Determine your status and eligibility. Before you begin the process of getting permanent residency in the US you need to understand how the American government classifies you. If you have immediate family who are US citizens, you automatically and immediately receive immigrant visa numbers, while people who are not immediately family of citizens need someone to file a petition for an immigrant visa number for them.
2

Get an immigrant visa number. To get an immigrant visa number you first must decide if a family member or an employer will sponsor you through the immigration process. Make your decision and have the right person send an immigrant petition to the US Citizens and Immigration Services. The USCIS will process your petition and then send it along to the Department of State, which will notify you once you've been issued a immigrant visa number.
3

Gather your documents. Although this sounds simple, it's actually a multi-step process. You must first determine what documents you need on the basis of your status. Check out the USCIS's website to see what documents you need. Get all your documents together so you can continue to the next step.
4

Submit your documents and completed application. The applications are available by download or mail from USCIS. Fill out all the applications relevant to you and attach the required documents. Have a lawyer or informed associate review your applications before you send them so a small detail doesn't create a major snag.