<p>The issuance of a permanent residence visa (Green Card) allows the  alien to   reside permanently in the U.S. There are two major categories  of permanent   residence visas, close family member sponsorship, and  those based upon   employment.</p>
<p>Close family membership permanent residence would be sponsorship by a  US   citizen spouse, permanent resident spouse, US citizen brother or  sister, US   citizen sponsorship of unmarried or married children.</p>