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Adjustment to Immigrant Status (Green Card)

Adjustment to Immigrant Status- Procedure allowing certain aliens already in the United States to apply for immigrant status. Aliens admitted to the United States in a nonimmigrant, refugee, or parolee category may have their status changed to that of lawful permanent resident if they are such cases, the alien is counted as an immigrant as of the date of adjustment, even though the alien may have been in the United States for an extended period of time. Beginning in October 1994, section 245(i) of the INA allowed illegal residents who were eligible for immigrant status to remain in the United States and adjust to permanent resident status by applying at the INS office and paying an additional fee. Section 245(i) is no longer available unless the alien is the beneficiary of a petition under section 204 of the Act or of an application for a labor certification under section 212(a)(5)(A), filed before January 15, 1998. Prior to October 1994, most illegal residents were required to leave the United States and acquire a visa abroad from the Department of State as they are again now.

Family

Who can petition for you?

Self-Petitioners

Domestic Abuse
Widow (want to insert short description)

Employment

General Description of Process
Frequently Asked Questions
Aliens of Extraordinary Ability
Advanced Degreed Professional/Persons with Exceptional Ability
Skilled/Unskilled Worker
Special Immigrants/Religious Workers

Diversity (The "Lottery" Visa)

Diversity- A category of immigrants replacing the earlier categories for nationals of underrepresented countries and countries adversely "affected" by the Immigration and Nationality Act Amendments of 1965 (P.L. 89-236). The annual limit on diversity immigration was 40,000 during fiscal years 1992-94, under a transitional diversity program, and 55,000 beginning in fiscal year 1995, under a permanent diversity program.

For more information

Registry

Registry Date- Aliens who have continuously resided in the United States since January 1, 1972, are of good moral character and are not inadmissible, are eligible to adjust to legal permanent resident status under the registry provision.