U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides Adjustment of Status (AOS), allowing eligible foreign nationals to obtain lawful permanent residency (a green card) from within the United States. This process enables individuals to become green card holders without having to leave the country. Eligibility categories for AOS include family-sponsored petitions, employment-based petitions, refugee or asylum status, special immigrant classifications, and humanitarian programs. Applicants must file Form I-485 along with supporting evidence, complete biometric screening, attend an interview (if required), and wait for USCIS evaluation. Those filing Form I-485 typically need to submit an approved I-130 Petition for Alien Relative or an I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, depending on their category.

Certain applicants, such as those in employment-based categories, must first complete the PERM labor certification process before proceeding. Additionally, visa backlogs may delay the ability to file Form I-485 if the applicant’s priority date is not yet current. Maintaining lawful status while an AOS application is pending is crucial to avoiding complications. If travel is necessary during the process, applicants should apply for Advance Parole (Form I-131) to re-enter the U.S. without abandoning their application.