I wanted to ask you if getting married is the only way to get a green card, after staying in the US, once your J1 visa has expired?

If you have overstayed your last I-94 expiration as a J-1, you may be here w/o any status and may be accruing unlawful presence.  This is a serious situation that can preclude pursuing immigration options in the future. Also, it must be determined whether your J-1 subjects you to any two year home residency requirement.  That can also preclude you from pursuing immigration options in the future. There is no easy answer to "How do I obtain a green card?"  There are many different options that apply to many different types of scenarios.  There are generally three ways to qualify for green card status—Family, Employment or Investment. Whether any green card option may apply to you depends on the very specific facts of your situation, including your current status or lack thereof, any unlawful presence issues, any two year home residency requirements etc. You should strongly consider consulting with an immigration attorney to understand all of the issues in your situation and whether there is any lawful route to another non-immigrant status or eventually permanent resident status. Regards, Andrew M. Wilson, Esq. Serotte Reich Wilson, LLP www.srwlawyers.com awilson@srwlawyers.com