Adjustment of Status (green card)

Most adjustments of status approvals are granted based on family or employment relationships. Individuals who are present in the United States and who are beneficiaries of approved immigrant petitions may generally file an application with USCIS to adjust their status to that of a Lawful Permanent Resident, or they may depart the United States and apply for an immigrant visa abroad. One reason Congress created the adjustment of status provision was to enable certain individuals physically present in the United States to become LPRs without incurring the expense and inconvenience of traveling abroad to obtain an immigrant visa.

Individuals eligible for adjustment of status generally may apply based on one of the following immigrant categories or basis for adjustment:

• Immediate relative of a U.S. citizen; 
• Other relative of a U.S. citizen or relative of a lawful permanent resident under a family-based preference category; 
• Person admitted to the United States as a fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen
• Widow(er) of a U.S. citizen
• Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioner
• Alien worker under an employment-based preference category; 
• Alien investor;
• Special immigrant; 
• Human trafficking victim;
• Crime victim;
• Person granted asylum status;
• Person granted refugee status;
• Person qualifying under certain special programs based on certain public laws; 
• Diversity Visa program 
• Private immigration bill signed into law 
• Adjustment of status under INA 245(i) or
• Derivative applicant (filing based on a principal applicant).