how long does an individual have to live in the US to become or apply for permanent legal residency?

Question

2, 5,10, 15, 20 yrs how long

Answer 1

You can't apply for permanent residency (a green card) based on the length of time you have been in the US in a nonimmigrant status (I am presuming here that you entered legally and have maintained legal status so far). You can only apply if a qualifying relative or an employer has petitioned for immigration for you. Then, if you are in legal status and there is no backlog, you can request an adjustment of status and get a green card.

Answer 2

First you need a sponsor who is willing to file a petition for you, either family member or employer. Once the petition is approved, you will be given the Priority Date (PD). When your PD becomes current, meaning Department of State has available visa for you, you can file the application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjustment of Status. The length of waiting time for the LPR process depends on when your Priority Date becomes current which is determined by the visa availability. And the Visa number availability is determined by who sponsored you. If your Sponsor is;

1. US Citizen Spouse or your 21 year or older US Citizen Children - within 6 month for conditional residency and 2 years for permanent residency (the visa is immediately available all the time.)
2. LPR Spouse or US Citizen Parents - about 3 to 5 years
3. US Citizen siblings - about 10 to 15 years
4. US Employment - about 4 to 7 years (also depends on your home country)
5. Refugee or Asylum - 1 year after your status granted

It is long and expansive process. Living in US for any number of years does not give you eligibility for LPR. Good luck!

Answer 3

I think it will depend to your status I think po;itic refugees 7 years and being married with american citizen maybe 3 years but not sure check this out it will help u a lot travel.state.gov

Answer 4

No years if you're born here....think about it. But then we can deport the parents and contribute to the lack of care "parents" already give.