Adjustment of Status
Adjustment of status is the process that you can use to apply for lawful permanent resident status (also known as applying for a Green Card) when you are present in the United States. This means that you may get a Green Card without having to return to your home country to complete visa processing.
Determine if you are eligible to apply for a Green Card
U.S. immigration laws provide a variety of ways for people to apply for a Green Card. The eligibility requirements for adjustment of status may vary depending on the immigrant category you are applying under. The first step in the adjustment of status process is to determine if you fit into a specific immigrant category.
You may be eligible to apply for a Green Card through family if you are the…
-
Spouse of a U.S. citizen
-
Unmarried child under the age of 21 of a U.S. citizen
-
Parent of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old
Immediate Relative of a U.S. Citizen
-
Family member of a U.S. citizen, meaning you are the:
-
Unmarried son or daughter of a U.S. citizen and you are 21 years old or older
-
Married son or daughter of a U.S. citizen
-
Brother or sister of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old
-
Family member of a lawful permanent resident, meaning you are the:
-
Spouse of a lawful permanent resident
-
Unmarried child under the age of 21 of a lawful permanent resident
-
Unmarried son or daughter of a lawful permanent resident 21 years old or older
Other relative of a U.S. citizen
or relative of a lawful
permanent resident under the
family-based preference categories
-
Person admitted to the U.S. as a fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen (K-1 nonimmigrant)
-
Person admitted to the U.S. as the child of a fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen (K-2 nonimmigrant)
-
Widow or widower of a U.S. citizen and you were married to your U.S. citizen spouse at the time your spouse died
-
Abused spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
-
Abused child (unmarried and under 21 years old) of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
-
Abused parent of a U.S. citizen