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To find out
who may apply for permanent residence while in the United States,
see: Eligibility:
Can I Apply to Become a Permanent Resident While in the U.S.?
(Please
note: your permanent residence status will be conditional if it
is based on a marriage that was less than two years old on the day
you were given permanent residence. For more information, see Removing
Conditional Resident Status (from Marriage))
The Process
An immigrant (also called a "lawful permanent resident")
is a foreign national who has been granted the privilege of living
and working permanently in the United States. You must go through
a multi-step process to become an immigrant (for more details see
The
Immigration Process).
- The State
Department must give you an immigrant visa number,
even if you are already in the United States. For more information,
see Immigrant
Visa Numbers.
- If you
are already in the United States, you may apply to adjust to
permanent resident status. (If you are outside the United
States, you will be notified to go to the local U.S. consulate
to complete the processing for an immigrant visa.)
This page describes
how to adjust to permanent resident status if you are in the U.S.
How
Do I Apply?
See Application
Procedures: Becoming a Permanent Resident While in the U.S.
These application procedures will help you identify what you need
to do. After you submit your application materials, you will be
asked to go to an USCIS office to answer questions about your applications.
Work Permits
Applicants
for adjustment to permanent resident status are eligible to apply
for a work permit while their cases are pending. You should use
USCIS Form
I-765 to apply for a work permit. You do not need to apply for
a work permit once you adjust to permanent resident status. As a
legal permanent resident, you should receive a Permanent Resident
Card (commonly referred to as a 'Green
Card')
that will prove that you have a right to live and work in the United
States permanently. Please see Obtaining
a Work Permit
for more information.
Foreign Travel
If you are applying for adjustment to permanent resident
status, you must receive advance permission to return to the United
States if you are traveling outside the United States. This advance
permission is called Advance Parole. If you do not apply for
Advance Parole before you leave the country, you will abandon
your application with the USCIS and you may not be permitted to return
to the United States. For more information, see: Have
a Pending Immigration Application?…Beware of Foreign Travel.
Checking My Application
Status
Contact the USCIS office that received your application, and be prepared to provide
specific information (see Checking
the Status of My Case).
How Can I Appeal?
If your application to adjust to permanent residence status
is denied, you will receive a letter that will tell you why the
application was denied. The process to remove you from the country
will begin as soon as your application is denied. You will be allowed
to have an immigration judge review the denial of your application
during removal proceedings. During this review, USCIS
must prove that the facts on your application were untruthful and
that your application was properly denied. If the immigration judge
decides to remove you from the country, you may appeal this decision.
Generally, you may appeal within 33 days after the immigration judge
decides to remove you from the country. After your appeal form and
a required fee are processed, the appeal will be referred to the
Board of Immigration Appeals in Washington, D.C. For more information,
see Appealing
the Denial of My Petition or Application.
HELP!
- Or, call
the national USCIS toll-free information service at 1-800-375-5283.
- You may also
want to seek the advice of an immigration attorney, or an immigrant
assistance organization accredited
by the Board of Immigration Appeals.
The information provided in this website is not legal advice and
should not be interpreted as legal advice. This website is intended
to provide a basic understanding of this information in summary
form. This information may not be comprehensive, is subject to change,
and may not apply to all individual circumstances. Any information
received here should be confirmed with the appropriate government
agencies or with an attorney, particularly as it relates to your
individual circumstances. Your use of this website indicates your
agreement to be bound by our Terms
of Use.
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