US green card for Russians in 2026: all the routes
Routes to a US green card open to Russians in 2026: marriage, EB-1 and EB-2 NIW, asylum. What the petitions cost and where the immigrant visa pause stands.
- The main routes for Russians: marriage to a citizen, the EB-1 and EB-2 NIW employment categories, and asylum.
- From 21 January 2026 immigrant visas were not issued to Russians; on 21 August a court vacated the pause, and the government appealed.
- Inside the US the green card is processed through USCIS on Form I-485: $1,440 on paper or $1,390 online.
- Pactors will find you an expert free of charge to compare the routes open to you.
There are many routes to a US green card, but for Russians some are closed or come with caveats. Here are the main routes and what changed in 2026.
Routes and key conditions
| Route | Who it suits | First petition |
|---|---|---|
| marriage to a citizen | the spouse of a US citizen | I-130, $675 on paper or $625 online |
| EB-1A | people with extraordinary achievements, no employer | I-140, $715 + $300 |
| EB-1C | a manager of an international company | I-140 from the American employer |
| EB-2 NIW | a master's, or a bachelor's with 5 years' experience, or exceptional ability, with a project important to the US | I-140, $715 + $300 |
| asylum | asylees, after a year | I-485 |
Family
If the marriage is under two years old on the green card date, a 2-year conditional card is issued and removed with Form I-751. A citizen can petition for parents only from age 21, so giving birth in the US doesn't give the parents a green card. The difference between a fiancé visa and a spouse visa is covered in the article K-1 or marrying abroad.
Work and talent
Without an employer you file for the EB-1A and EB-2 NIW. How to choose between the talent visa and the green card is covered in the article EB-1A or O-1. A business owner can take the route through a branch and the EB-1C. Your chances for an NIW can be checked through the EB-2 NIW green card.
Asylum
You can apply for asylum only while in the US and within a year of entry. An asylee requests a green card after a year in that status.
What changed in 2026
From 21 January 2026 the State Department paused immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries, Russia among them. On 21 August a court in New York vacated the pause, and on 10 September the government appealed. The pause concerned visas at consulates: if you are lawfully in the US, the green card is processed through USCIS. The E-2 investor visa is closed to Russian nationals; there's a separate article on it.
Common questions
Does having a child in the US give a green card?
What does a green card application inside the US cost?
Sources
- USCIS — fee schedule G-1055 (edition of 09/09/2026)
- 8 CFR 204.5 — employment-based immigrant petitions
- USCIS — green cards for spouses of citizens
- USCIS — green card for asylees
- U.S. Embassy in Russia — immigrant visa pause (January 2026)
- NILC — CLINIC v. Rubio (ruling of 21.08.2026, appeal of 10.09.2026)
Links checked on 27 September 2026
