The U.S. immigration system is an enormous bureaucracy, so it's vital that you understand it before attempting to apply for a green card. Making a mistake can lead to delays and hassles or even ruin your chances for success.

How to Get a Green Card provides everything you need to know about qualifying for permanent U.S. residence if you don't have an employer sponsoring you.

Find out how to work with U.S. officials and prepare and present the right documents at the right time to get a green card through:

• parents, siblings, or adult children
• a U.S. spouse or fiancé
• green card lotteries (diversity visa)
• political asylum or refugee status
• a U visa for crime victims, or
• another category you might qualify for.

The 14th edition covers new travel restrictions, public charge rules requiring more proof of income and health insurance coverage, changes to asylum eligibility, the wind-down of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and other new restrictions and procedural changes. It also includes samples of all the key application forms.