How to Apply For USA Green Card : Documents Eligibility Benefits Apply Online

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USA Green Card
USA Green Card

USA Green Card:- Having a Green Card (officially known as a Permanent Resident Card (PDF, 1.69 MB) allows you to live and work permanently in the United States. The steps you must take to apply for a Green Card will vary depending on your individual situation.

A Green Card, officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, is a government-issued identification document in the United States. It signifies that the cardholder has lawful permanent resident status, allowing them to live and work in the country. Green Card holders enjoy various benefits, such as the ability to apply for U.S. citizenship, access social services, and travel in and out of the U.S. with certain restrictions.

Obtaining a Green Card typically involves a petition or sponsorship from a family member, employer, or through certain humanitarian programs

Green Card Eligibility Categories 2023-24

To apply for a Green Card, you must be eligible under one of the categories listed below. Once you find the category that may fit your situation, click on the link provided to get information on eligibility requirements, how to apply, and whether your family members can also apply with you.

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Immediate relative of a U.S. citizen

  • 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

This page provides specific information for immediate relatives in the United States who want to apply for lawful permanent resident status while in the United States. This is called “adjustment of status.” You should also read the Instructions for Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, before you apply.

If you are a widow or widower of a U.S. citizen, please see our webpage on Green Card eligibility of a widow or widower. If you are currently outside the United States, see Consular Processing for information about how to apply for a Green Card as an immediate relative.

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Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants

U.S. immigration law allows certain noncitizens who are family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to become lawful permanent residents (get a Green Card) based on specific family relationships. If you are the spouse, minor child or parent of a U.S. citizen, please see the Green Card for Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizen page for information on how to apply for a Green Card.

Other family members eligible to apply for a Green Card are described in the following family “preference immigrant” categories:

  • First preference (F1) – unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of U.S. citizens;
  • Second preference (F2A) – spouses and children (unmarried and under 21 years of age) of lawful permanent residents;
  • Second preference (F2B) – unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of lawful permanent residents;
  • Third preference (F3) – married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens; and
  • Fourth preference (F4) – brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (if the U.S. citizen is 21 years of age and older).

This page provides specific information for noncitizens in the United States who want to apply for lawful permanent resident status based on a family preference category while in the United States. This is called “adjustment of status.” You should also read the Instructions for Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (PDF, 1.32 MB) before you apply.

If you are currently outside the United States, see Consular Processing for information about how to apply for a Green Card as a family preference immigrant.

Alert: On Nov. 2, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois vacated the Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds final rule (84 Fed. Reg. 41,292 (Aug. 14, 2019), as amended by Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds; Correction, 84 Fed. Reg. 52,357 (Oct. 2, 2019)) (Public Charge Final Rule) nationwide. That decision was stayed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. On March 9, 2021, the Seventh Circuit lifted its stay, and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois’ order vacating the Public Charge Final Rule went into effect.

We immediately stopped applying the Public Charge Final Rule to all pending applications and petitions that would have been subject to the rule. USCIS continues to apply the public charge inadmissibility statute, including consideration of the statutory minimum factors in the totality of the circumstances, in accordance with the 1999 Interim Field Guidance,

which was in place before the Public Charge Final Rule was implemented on Feb. 24, 2020, to the adjudication of any application for adjustment of status. In addition, USCIS will no longer apply the separate, but related, “public benefits condition” to applications or petitions for extension of nonimmigrant stay and change of nonimmigrant status.

On or after March 9, 2021, applicants and petitioners should not provide information required solely by the Public Charge Final Rule. That means that applicants for adjustment of status should not provide the Form I-944, Declaration of Self-Sufficiency, or any evidence or documentation required on that form with their Form I-485. Applicants and petitioners for extension of nonimmigrant stay and change of nonimmigrant status should not provide information related to the receipt of public benefits on Form I-129 (Part 6), Form I-129CW (Part 6), Form I-539 (Part 5), and Form I-539A (Part 3).

If an applicant or petitioner has already provided such information, and USCIS adjudicates the application or petition on or after March 9, 2021, we will not consider any information provided that relates solely to the Public Charge Final Rule, including, for example, information provided on the Form I-944, evidence or documentation submitted with Form I-944, and information on the receipt of public benefits on Form I-129 (Part 6), Form I-129CW (Part 6), Form I-539 (Part 5), and Form I-539A (Part 3).

If you received a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) requesting information that is solely required by the Public Charge Final Rule, including but not limited to Form I-944, and your response is due on or after March 9, 2021, you do not need to provide the information solely required by the Public Charge Final Rule. However, you need to respond to the aspects of the RFE or NOID that otherwise pertain to the

eligibility for the immigration benefit you are seeking. If USCIS requires additional information or evidence to make a public charge inadmissibility determination under the statute and consistent with the 1999 Interim Field Guidance, we will send you another RFE or NOID. For information about the relevant court decisions, please see the litigation summary.

USCIS published new form editions for affected forms. Starting April 19, 2021, we will only accept the 03/10/21 editions. Until then, you can also use the prior editions specified on each form webpage.

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Green Card through Employment

You may be eligible to apply as a…If you…
Immigrant workerAre a first preference immigrant worker, meaning you: Have extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics, orAre an outstanding professor or researcher, orAre a multinational manager or executive who meets certain criteriaAre a second preference immigrant worker, meaning you: Are a member of a profession that requires an advanced degree, orHave exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business, orAre seeking a national interest waiverAre a third preference immigrant worker, meaning you are: A skilled worker (meaning your job requires a minimum of 2 years training or work experience), orA professional (meaning your job requires at least a U.S. bachelor’s degree or a foreign equivalent and you are a member of the profession), orAn unskilled worker (meaning you will perform unskilled labor requiring less than 2 years training or experience)
Physician National Interest WaiverAre a physician who agrees to work full-time in clinical practice in a designated underserved area for a set period of time and also meets other eligibility requirements
Immigrant investorHave invested or are actively in the process of investing at least $1,050,000 (or $800,000 in a targeted employment area or infrastructure project) in a new commercial enterprise in the U.S. which will create full-time positions for at least 10 qualifying employees

Green Card as a Special Immigrant

You may be eligible to apply as a…If you…
Religious workerAre a member of a religious denomination coming to the U.S. to work for a nonprofit religious organization
Special Immigrant JuvenileAre a juvenile who needs the protection of a juvenile court because you have been abused, abandoned or neglected by a parent.
Afghanistan or Iraq
national
Were an Afghan or Iraqi translator or interpreter for the U.S. government; Were an Iraqi employed by or for the U.S. government in Iraq on or after March 20, 2003, for at least one year; or Were an Afghan employed by the U.S. government or International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
International broadcasterAre coming to work in the U.S. as a member of the media for the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) or a USAGM grantee.
Employee of an international organization or family member or NATO-6 employee or family memberAre a retired officer or employee of an eligible international organization or NATO, or are an eligible family member of such an employee.

Green Card Processes and Procedures

Each Green Card category have specific steps and procedures to follow. Listed below are some general processes and procedures to help you apply either while in the United States (known as “adjustment of status”) or while outside the United States (known as “consular processing”).

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Green Card Eligibility Categories

To apply for a Green Card, you must be eligible under one of the categories listed below. Once you find the category that may fit your situation, click on the link provided to get information on eligibility requirements, how to apply, and whether your family members can also apply with you.

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Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants

U.S. immigration law provides aliens with a variety of ways to become lawful permanent residents (get a Green Card) through employment in the United States. These employment-based (EB) “preference immigrant” categories include:

  • First preference (EB-1) – priority workers
    • Aliens with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics;
    • Outstanding professors and researchers; or
    • Certain multinational managers and executives.
  • Second preference (EB-2) – aliens who are members of the professions holding advanced degrees or who have exceptional ability (including requests for national interest waivers). 
  • Third preference (EB-3) – skilled workers, professionals, or other workers.

This page provides specific information for aliens in the United States who want to apply for lawful permanent resident status in the EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 categories while in the United States. This is called “adjustment of status.” You should also read the Instructions for Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (PDF, 1.32 MB) before you apply.

For more information on other types of employment-based immigrants, see our pages on Green Cards for EB-4 special immigrants (for example, religious workers and special immigrant juveniles) and EB-5 immigrant investors. If you are currently outside the United States, see Consular Processing for information about how to apply for a Green Card as a family preference immigrant.

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Eligibility for Adjustment of Status

If you are currently in the United States, in order to be eligible for a Green Card as an EB-1, EB-2, or EB-3 immigrant, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You properly file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status;
  • You were inspected and admitted or inspected and paroled into the United States;
  • You are physically present in the United States at the time you file your Form I-485;
  • You are eligible to receive an immigrant visa;
  • An immigrant visa is immediately available to you at the time you file your Form I-485 and at the time USCIS makes a final decision on your application. (For information on visa availability, see Visa Availability and Priority Dates, Adjustment of Status Filing Charts, and the Department of State website to view the Visa Bulletin);
  • The job offered to you in the Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker still exists with the employer that filed the Form I-140 on your behalf, and you plan to accept the job once USCIS approves your Form I-485. If you filed Form I-140 as a self-petitioner, you must plan to work in the same or similar occupational field as specified in your Form I-140;
    • Note: Even if you have a new job or employer, section 204(j) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) allows the approved Form I-140 to remain valid for adjustment of status purposes if:
      • You submit evidence that the new job is in the same or a similar occupational classification as the job in the original Form I-140; and
      • The Form I-485 you filed based on the Form I-140 remains unadjudicated for 180 days or more; and
  • None of the applicable bars to adjustment of status apply to you;
  • You are admissible to the United States for lawful permanent residence or eligible for a waiver of inadmissibility or other form of relief; and
  • You merit the favorable exercise of USCIS’ discretion.

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Inspected and Admitted or Inspected and Paroled

Generally, to be eligible to adjust status, you must be present in the United States after being “inspected and admitted” or “inspected and paroled” by an immigration officer. There are some limited exceptions to this eligibility requirement. For more information on this requirement, see USCIS Policy Manual Volume 7, Adjustment of Status, Part B, Chapter 2, Section A, “Inspected and Admitted” or “Inspected and Paroled”.

Eligibility to Receive an Immigrant Visa

You are eligible to receive an immigrant visa, if you are the beneficiary of:

  • An approved Form I-140 filed on your behalf;
  • A pending Form I-140 (that is ultimately approved); or
  • A Form I-485 filed together with the Form I-140 (and the Form I-140 is ultimately approved).

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How to Apply 2024

If you are currently in the United States, an immigrant visa is immediately available to you as an EB-1, EB-2, or EB-3 immigrant, and you meet certain other requirements, you may file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to apply for a Green Card without leaving the country. This is called “adjustment of status.” If a visa is immediately available, you may file your Form I-485:

  • Together (“concurrently”) with Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker filed on your behalf;
  • While the Form I-140 is pending; or
  • After the Form I-140 is approved (and remains valid).

For information on visa availability, see Visa Availability and Priority DatesAdjustment of Status Filing Charts, and the Department of State website to view the Visa Bulletin.

Child Status Protection Act (CSPA)

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) defines a child as a person who is both unmarried and under 21 years old. If someone applies for lawful permanent resident (LPR) status as a child but turns 21 before being approved for LPR status (also known as getting a Green Card), that person can no longer be considered a child for immigration purposes. This situation is commonly referred to as “aging out” and often means that these applicants would have to file a new petition or application, wait even longer to get a Green Card, or may no longer be eligible for a Green Card.

Congress recognized that many children were aging out due to large USCIS processing backlogs, so it enacted the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) to protect certain children from aging out. The CSPA went into effect on August 6, 2002.

CSPA does not change the definition of a child. Instead, CSPA provides a method for calculating a person’s age to see if they meet the definition of a child for immigration purposes. The calculated age is the child’s “CSPA age.” This allows some people to remain classified as children beyond their 21st birthday. However, CSPA does not change the requirement that you must be unmarried in order to remain eligible for classification as a child.

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CSPA Applicability and Eligibility

CSPA applies only to the following people:

  • Immediate relatives (including derivatives of widow(er)s);
  • Family-sponsored preference principal applicants and derivative applicants;
  • Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioners and derivative applicants;
  • Employment-based preference derivative applicants;
  • Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) derivative applicants;
  • Derivative refugees; and
  • Derivative asylees.

If you are applying for a Green Card based on one of the categories above, you are eligible for CSPA consideration if either your qualifying Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, or one of the following underlying forms was filed or pending on or after Aug. 6, 2002:

  • Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative;
  • Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant;
  • Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker;
  • Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur;
  • Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal;
  • Form I-590, Registration for Classification as a Refugee; or
  • Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition.

How to Apply for a Green Card 2024

Before starting the application process, there are two questions that you should answer first:

1. Are you eligible to apply?

U.S. immigration laws provide a variety of ways for people to apply for a Green Card. The eligibility requirements may vary depending on the immigrant category you are applying under. Go to our Green Card Eligibility Categories page to see all the possible categories you can apply under and what the eligibility requirements are.

Being Sponsored for a Green Card

Most people who apply for a Green Card will need to complete at least two forms—an immigrant petition and a Green Card application (Form I-485). Someone else usually must file the petition for you (often referred to as sponsoring or petitioning for you), although you may be eligible to file for yourself in some cases. Here are the most common forms:

  • Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
  • Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
  • Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition
  • Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal

Other petitions include:

  • Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant
  • Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur
  • Form I-918, Petition of U Nonimmigrant Status
  • Form I-929, Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1 Nonimmigrant

Refer to your eligibility category to see if you need a petition.

2. Are you inside or outside the United States?

If you are eligible to apply for a Green Card, you then need to determine which process to use – adjustment of status or consular processing.

Where are you?What application process to useYour next steps
In the United StatesAdjustment of status with USCISIf you already have an approved immigrant petition and an immigrant visa is available, file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status with USCIS, orIf you do not currently have an approved immigrant petition, check the eligibility requirements for your Green Card category to see if you can file the petition and the Form I‑485 together at the same time (this is known as concurrent filing).Go to our Adjustment of Status page for more information about the process of applying for a Green Card in the U.S.Please see our video on updates to Form I-485.
Outside the United StatesConsular processing with the U.S. Department of StateGo to our Consular Processing page for the next steps
General Application Process

The steps you must take to apply for a Green Card will vary depending on your individual situation. However, here is the general application process that most applicants will go through:

  1. Someone usually must file an immigrant petition for you (often referred to as sponsoring or petitioning for you). In some cases, you may be eligible to file for yourself.
  2. After USCIS approves the immigrant petition, and there is a visa available in your category, you file either a Green Card application with USCIS or a visa application with the U.S. Department of State.
  3. You go to a biometrics appointment to provide fingerprints, photos, and a signature.
  4. You go to an interview.
  5. You receive a decision on your application.

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If Your Green Card Application Is Pending with USCIS

If you already submitted a Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, and your case is pending with USCIS, go to our While Your Green Card Application Is Pending with USCIS page for more information on checking your case status, updating your address, and making appointments with USCIS.

How to Track Delivery of Your Green Card, Employment Authorization Document (EAD), and Travel Document
  1. Sign up for a Case Status Online account to get automatic case updates, including your U.S. Postal Service (USPS) tracking number when we mail your card or travel document.
  2. Register for Informed Delivery through USPS to get daily images of mail being sent to you. With Informed Delivery, you can:
  • Automatically track the packages you’re expecting
  • Set up email and text alerts
  • Enter USPS Delivery Instructions™ for your mail carrier

If your USPS tracking information shows your package was delivered but you have not received it, contact your local post office immediately. Remember, we will mail your card or travel document to the address you provided on your application (unless you told us to mail it your representative on Form G-28, Notice of Entry or Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative). 

If your mailing address changes after you file your application, you must update your address with USCIS and USPS as soon as possibleWe recommend you use the USPS Look Up a ZIP Code tool to ensure that you give USCIS your full address using the standard abbreviations and formatting recognized by USPS.

If you don’t update your address promptly, your case could be delayed, your document(s) could get lost, and you may need to reapply and pay the fee again.

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If You Already Have a Green Card

If you already have a Green Card, go to our After a Green Card is Granted page for more information on travel, renewing a card, and your rights and responsibilities as a Green Card holder.

While Your Green Card Application Is Pending with USCIS

If you already submitted a Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, and your case is pending with USCIS, here is some useful information to know.

Updating Your Address with USCIS

If you move, you must update your address with USCIS within 10 days of moving to the new address. If you do not update your address, you may not receive important notices about your case. Changing your address with the U.S. Postal Service will not update your address with USCIS. Go to our Change of Address Information page to learn how to update your address with us.

Case Processing Times

You can check the average time it takes for a particular USCIS office to process a Form I-485. Go to our USCIS Processing Time Information page for more information.

If you applied for an employment-based Green Card, you can also go to our Immigration and Citizenship Data and Questions & Answers: Pending Employment-Based Form I-485 Inventory pages for more information.

Case Status Updates

If you want a case status update about your application, you can:

  • Go to our Case Status Online page and use your Form I-485 receipt number to look up your case status.
  • Submit a case inquiry if you think your application is outside of our normal processing times.
  • Call our USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283.
    • For people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability: TTY 800-767-1833.
If You Need to Travel

If you need to leave the United States temporarily while your Form I-485 is pending, please see the instructions for Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, for more information. Generally, if you have a pending Form I-485 and you leave the United States without an advance parole document, you will have abandoned your application. For further information, see our Travel Documents page.

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When to Replace Your Green Card

Lawful Permanent Residents

If you are a lawful permanent resident, you must replace your Green Card if:

  • Your Green Card is either expired or will expire within the next six months;
  • Your previous card was lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed;
  • You received your card before you were 14 and you have reached your 14th birthday (unless your card expires before your 16th birthday);
  • You have been a commuter and are now taking up actual residence in the United States;
  • You have been a permanent resident residing in the United States and are now taking up commuter status;
  • Your status has been automatically converted to permanent resident status (this includes special agricultural worker applicants who converted to permanent resident status);
  • You have a previous version of the alien registration card (for example, USCIS Form AR-3, Form AR-103 or Form I-151, which are no longer valid to prove your immigration status) and must replace it with a current Green Card;
  • Your card contains incorrect information;
  • You have legally changed your name or other biographic information on the card since you last received your card; or
  • You never received the previous card we issued to you.

Conditional Permanent Residents

If you are a conditional permanent resident, you must replace your Green Card if:

  • Your previous card was lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed;
  • Your card contains incorrect information;
  • You have legally changed your name or other biographic information on the card since you last received your card; or
  • You never received the previous card we issued to you.

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How to Replace Your Green Card

If you are a lawful permanent resident or conditional permanent resident and need to replace your Green Card based on the reasons in the When to Replace Your Green Card section, you may begin the application process for a replacement Green Card by filing Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, online or by mail. When you file online, you can:

  • Apply using a computer, phone, or tablet;
  • See when we receive your application;
  • Receive online updates on your case; and
  • Communicate with us directly.

If we approve your application, we will mail you a new Green Card.

If you are applying to renew your Green Card, your Form I-90 receipt notice can be used with your expired Green Card as evidence of your lawful permanent resident status and will say the following:

This notice, together with your Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (also known as the Green Card), provides evidence of your lawful permanent resident status for 24 months from the expiration date on your Permanent Resident Card. You remain authorized to work and travel. This notice, presented with your expired Permanent Resident Card, is evidence of your status and work authorization.

If you no longer have your Permanent Resident Card and you need evidence of your lawful permanent resident status while waiting to receive your replacement Card, we may issue you an Alien Documentation, Identification & Telecommunications (ADIT) stamp after you file this form.

If we determine you must submit biometrics, we will mail you a biometrics appointment notice with the time and place of your appointment.

This notice does NOT serve as notification of your biometrics appointment.

If you need help obtaining an ADIT stamp, have questions, or need to update your personal information listed above, please visit the USCIS Contact Center webpage at uscis.gov/contactcenter to connect with a live USCIS representative in English or Spanish. If your mailing address changes while your case is pending, please update it through your USCIS Online Account, if you have one.

If you have questions about presenting this notice with your expired Permanent Resident Card for Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, please call 888-897-7781. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, please call 877-875-6028.

We will notify you separately about any other application, petition, or request you may have filed with us.

If USCIS already accepted your application to renew your Green Card and you have not yet been issued a biometric services appointment notice, USCIS will mail you a new receipt notice to use with your expired Green Card as temporary evidence of your lawful permanent resident status. As of Sept. 26, if you have a pending Form I-90, USCIS will print an amended receipt notice before your initial 12-month validity extension on your Green Card expires (read more here: USCIS Extends Green Card Validity Extension to 24 Months for Green Card Renewals).

If you are outside the United States and your Green Card will expire within six months (but you will return within one year of your departure from the United States and before the card expires), you should file Form I-90 as soon as you return to the United States.

If you are a conditional permanent resident and your Green Card is expiring, you must submit Form I-751, Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence, to apply to remove the conditions on your permanent resident status. For more information, see our Conditional Permanent Residence webpage.

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Volume 7 – Adjustment of Status

  • Part A – Adjustment of Status Policies and Procedures
  • Part B – 245(a) Adjustment
  • Part C – 245(i) Adjustment
  • Part D – Family-Based Adjustment
  • Part E – Employment-Based Adjustment
  • Part F – Special Immigrant-Based Adjustment
  • Part G – Diversity Visa Adjustment
  • Part H – Reserved
  • Part I – Adjustment Based on Violence Against Women Act
  • Part J – Trafficking Victim-Based Adjustment
  • Part K – Crime Victim-Based Adjustment
  • Part L – Refugee Adjustment
  • Part M – Asylee Adjustment
  • Part N – Legalization
  • Part O – Registration
  • Part P – Other Adjustment Programs
  • Part Q – Rescission of Lawful Permanent Residence
  • Part R – Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Residence

Green Card holders in the United States enjoy several benefits

  1. Permanent Residency: Green Card holders have lawful permanent resident status, allowing them to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely.
  2. Work and Study: They can work for any employer and pursue education without visa restrictions.
  3. Social Services: Access to social services, including healthcare, education, and other public benefits.
  4. Path to Citizenship: Eligibility to apply for U.S. citizenship after meeting residency and other requirements

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Certainly, here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Green Cards:

Q 1. What is a Green Card?

A Green Card, officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, is a document that signifies a person’s lawful permanent resident status in the United States.

Q 2. How can I obtain a Green Card?

There are various ways to get a Green Card, such as through family sponsorship, employment, refugee/asylee status, the Diversity Visa Lottery, or special immigrant programs.

Q 3. What are the benefits of having a Green Card?

Green Card holders can live and work in the U.S. indefinitely, access social services, travel in and out of the country, and eventually apply for U.S. citizenship.

Q 4. How long does it take to get a Green Card?

The processing time for a Green Card can vary significantly based on the category and family or employment-based preference. It may take several months to several years.

Q 5. Can Green Card holders sponsor family members?

Yes, Green Card holders can sponsor certain family members for immigration, but the specific eligibility and waiting times may vary.

Q 6. Do I need to renew my Green Card?

Green Cards generally have a 10-year validity. Some Green Card holders may need to renew their cards to maintain their status.

Q 7. Can Green Card holders travel internationally?

Yes, Green Card holders can travel outside the U.S., but they need to ensure they meet certain residency requirements and carry their Green Card when returning.

Q 8. What are the requirements to apply for U.S. citizenship as a Green Card holder?

The requirements for naturalization (U.S. citizenship) include being a Green Card holder for a specific number of years, demonstrating good moral character, passing an English and civics test, and more.

Q 9. How can I check the status of my Green Card application?

You can check your application status on the USCIS website or by contacting the USCIS directly.

Q 10. Can I work in any job with a Green Card?

Green Card holders have the flexibility to work in any job or profession in the United States, without the need for specific work visas.


Permanent Resident Card, Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR), Immigration Status, USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services), Family Sponsorship, Employment-Based Green Card, Diversity Visa Lottery, Adjustment of Status, Consular Processing, Visa Bulletin, Conditional Permanent Resident, Green Card Renewal, Removal of Conditions, U.S. Citizenship, Naturalization, I-485 Form, Visa Category, Priority Date, Public Charge Rule, Green Card Eligibility, Fiancé Visa (K-1 Visa), Refugee/Asylee Status, Affidavit of Support, Travel Document (Reentry Permit), National Visa Center (NVC)


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