Green card

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: This page provides specific information for aliens in the United States who want to apply for lawful permanent resident status …

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 …

If you are an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, you can become a lawful permanent resident (get a Green Card) based on your family relationship if you meet certain eligibility requirements. You are an immediate relative if you are: If you are a widow or widower of a U.S. …

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 …

Once you are the beneficiary of an approved immigrant petition and an immigrant visa number is immediately available to you, there are two ways to apply for lawful permanent resident status (a Green Card). If you are outside of the United States, you may apply at a U.S. Department of State …

Concurrent filing of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status is when an adjustment of status application (Form I-485) is filed prior to the approval of the underlying immigrant visa petition.  To be considered concurrently filed, the immigrant visa petition and the adjustment of status application (Form I-485) are filed at …

This page will help you understand how the U.S Department of State (DOS) allocates immigrant visas, the DOS Visa Bulletin process, and specific ways to adjust status depending on your situation. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sets the number of immigrant visas the U.S. Department of State (DOS) can …

Depending on your immigration status (including lawful permanent residents) or if you have an application for an immigration benefit pending, you may need to carry different types of travel documents if you wish to return to the United States lawfully after traveling abroad. In certain cases, you should apply for …

U.S. employers must check to make sure all employees, regardless of citizenship or national origin, are allowed to work in the United States. Having an Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766/EAD) is one way to prove that you are allowed to work in the United States for a specific time period. …

Medical examinations and vaccinations in the United States are typically required for anyone who files Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. If we require you to undergo an immigration medical exam, see the myUSCIS Find a Doctor page for help finding a designated physician (also known …

ALERT: On Feb. 2, 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order 14012, Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans, which revoked a May 23, 2019, presidential memorandum issued by former President Trump. Consistent with this executive order, on March 19, 2021, the …

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 …

After you become a permanent resident, we mail you a welcome notice. Then we mail your new Permanent Resident Card(Green Card). If you move before you get your card, change your address online or call the USCIS Contact Center. You should also call the USCIS Contact Center if any of the following …

A conditional permanent resident receives a Green Card valid for two years. To remove the conditions on your permanent resident status, you must file a petition within the 90-day period before your conditional Green Card expires. Use our Filing Calculator to determine your 90-day filing date. You cannot renew your …

In general, you will need to present a passport from your country of citizenship or your refugee travel document to travel to a foreign country.  In addition, the foreign country may have additional entry/exit requirements (such as a visa). For information on foreign entry and exit requirements, see the Department …

Once you become a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder), you maintain permanent resident status until you: Apply for and complete the naturalization process; or Lose or abandon your status. There are several ways that you can lose your status as a lawful permanent resident. Section 216 of the Immigration …

The following sections will help you learn more about replacing your Green Card. Lawful Permanent Residents If you are a lawful permanent resident, you must replace your Green Card if: Conditional Permanent Residents If you are a conditional permanent resident, you must replace your Green Card if: If you are …