How to Apply for a U.S. Green Card from the UAE: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Apply For A US Green Card from the UAE: A Step By Step Guide

If you’re in the UAE and dreaming of making the U.S. your permanent home, you’re not alone. The path isn’t exactly short or simple, but it is navigable - especially when you know exactly what to do, and in what order. At ezee Visa, we’ve guided many clients through this process, so here’s a practical, no-fluff guide on applying for a U.S. Green Card from the UAE.

1. Understand Your Eligibility Options

First things first: not everyone qualifies. The U.S. immigration system groups Green Card (lawful permanent residency) options into categories. You’ll need to see which path fits you.

Common categories include:

Family-based: You can be sponsored by close relatives who are U.S citizens or have a green card.
Employment-based: With the help of a U.S. employer (or in some cases, self-sponsorship, again, depending on your qualifications).
Investor route (EB-5): In case you can qualify by making an investment in a U.S. project that will generate jobs.
Special programs: Asylum/refugee status, the diversity lottery (assuming you qualify), or other immigration back doors.

"If you qualify under multiple paths, like employment and investor routes, you can choose the faster or safer option. The EB-5 route is popular in the UAE since it usually doesn’t require a job sponsor. However, as of October 2025, the EB-5 visa cap for this fiscal year is full, and new applications are paused until the next cycle.

2. Choose “Consular Processing” (Since You’re Outside the U.S.)

Because you’re outside U.S. borders, your route is known as consular processing. You won’t be adjusting status inside the U.S. (that’s for those already in the country). Instead:

USCIS first approves an immigrant petition (filed on your behalf or by yourself, depending on category).
The case is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC).
Your visa application (DS-260) is completed, you have medical check-ups, are interviewed in a U.S. Embassy or Consulate (in the UAE, in most cases it is in the UAE at Abu Dhabi or Dubai), then after being approved, you come to the U.S. with such an immigrant visa.
Upon acceptance, a set of documents are sent to you at your U.S. address including your Green Card (Form I-551).

3. Step-by-Step Breakdown

Here’s the usual flow. We’ll flag places where UAE-specific nuances matter.

Step A: File the Immigrant Petition (I-130, I-140, I-526, etc.)

Family-based: Form I-130
Employment-based: Form I-140
Investor route: Form I-526E under the EB-5 program

Once USCIS approves, they issue a Notice of Action (Form I-797), and then pass the case to the National Visa Center (NVC) for your turn in the queue.

Step B: Wait for Visa Number / Priority Date

Some categories (especially employment and family preference categories) are capped by annual quotas. So even if your petition is approved, you may need to wait until your “priority date” becomes current (i.e. when your turn comes per the Visa Bulletin).

Those in “immediate relative” categories (spouse, parent, minor child of U.S. citizen) usually don’t wait for a visa number.

Step C: National Visa Center & DS-260

Once you complete your petition, and the visa number is (or has become) available, the NVC will assign you a case number, and give you instructions and requirements which include supporting documents (birth certificate, police certificate, translations, etc.).
Prior to the interview, you fill in Form DS-260 (Online Immigrant Visa Application) as well as pay the fees which are due (immigrant visa processing, USCIS immigrant fee).

Step D: Medical Examination & Police Checks

You will have to get a medical check-up with an approved physician in UAE (usually in Abu Dhabi or Dubai). Also, police certificates from UAE and your home country.

Make sure vaccinations are up to date; missing or incomplete vaccination records can delay things.

You’ll go to your interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Be ready with:

Your DS-260 confirmation
Passport(s)
Birth certificates, marriage certificates
Police certificates
Medical results
Proofs of sponsor’s ability to support you (if applicable)
Any additional requested documents

When everything works out perfectly, a new immigrant visa stamp would be placed in the passport of yours that would normally be valid for 6 months.

Only thing remaining at that point is to fly to the United States and receive your Green Card sent to your U.S. address.

4. Timeline: What to Expect

The timelines are quite different according to the category, nationality, and backlogs. But just to give a ballpark:

It may take several months or more than a year to process the petition (I-130, I-140).
Preference cases Waiting Expenses may take months/years to be seen (before visa is available).
Once your case is with the NVC, document collection + DS-260 + scheduling interview might take a few months.
The interview and final visa issuance could be within weeks after your interview.

In employment-based/EB categories especially, people often plan for 1–3 years (or more, depending on backlogs).

5. UAE-Specific Things You Should Know

The U.S. embassy in Abu Dhabi and the consulate in Dubai deal with immigrant visas in the UAE.
After you have been granted an immigrant visa, your Green Card will be sent to a U.S. address - not UAE.
In EB-5 (investor route): there is a cap matter: all unused EB-5 visas in the new category were used up at the end of the fiscal year - no new allocations of EB-5 until October 1.
Always check vaccination, translation, and certification requirements specifically for UAE documents (e.g. attestation) before sending them.
Be very careful about document authenticity, consistency, and proper apostilles or embassy attestation where needed.

6. Common Pitfalls & Tips

Missing or inconsistent documents can delay your case.
Don’t assume a fast timeline; plan for possible delays.
Backlogs in some visa categories can be long.
Sponsors’ records are closely checked - coordinate carefully.
Ensure medical exams and vaccinations are complete.

7. After You Enter the U.S.

Once you arrive with your immigrant visa:
Your Green Card will be mailed to your U.S. address.
You become a lawful permanent resident, free to live, work, study, and travel.
Conditional residents may need to file to remove conditions later.
After 3–5 years, you may be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship

Final Thoughts

When it comes to the UAE, the process of applying to the U.S. Green Card is long, time-consuming and involves a considerable amount of paperwork. And with the proper directions and planning, it is all possible. Small errors or missed steps are what usually cause delays - not the process itself.

That’s where ezee Visa can make things easier. From identifying the right category to preparing documents and handling embassy steps, we’ll guide you through it all smoothly.

Call to Action

Have applied to be a U.S. Green Card holder and do not know how to start? Get in touch with ezee Visa today. We’ll review your options, create a clear plan, and help you move forward confidently - one step at a time.