Key takeaways
- Adjustment lets you get a green card without leaving the U.S.
- You need to be eligible and have a visa available to file.
- You can often apply for work and travel permits while you wait.
Adjustment of status (AOS) is how many people already in the United States become green card holders without traveling abroad for an interview at a consulate. It centers on Form I-485. Here is how it works.
Who Can Use It
You generally can adjust status if:
- You are physically in the U.S.
- You have an approved or concurrently filed basis (for example, a family or employment petition)
- A visa is available to you (your priority date is current on the visa bulletin, if your category has a wait)
- You are admissible and meet the eligibility rules for your situation
The Steps
- Confirm eligibility and visa availability.
- File Form I-485 with supporting evidence (often with the underlying petition).
- Attend biometrics for fingerprints and a photo.
- Attend an interview if one is required.
- Receive a decision — approval means your green card is on the way.
Work and Travel While You Wait
- You can usually apply for a work permit (EAD) so you can work while the case is pending.
- You can usually apply for advance parole so you can travel without abandoning your case.
- Important Do not leave the U.S. on a pending AOS without advance parole — it can be treated as abandoning your application.
"Your I-485 is read against everything you filed before. The fastest way to a clean approval is to make sure every detail matches."
Common Mistakes That Cause Delays
- Filing before a visa is actually available
- Inconsistencies between the I-485 and earlier filings
- Missing the medical exam or required signatures
- Traveling without advance parole
- Foreign documents without certified translations
A general guide, not legal advice.
Immigration rules and fees change, and every case is different. For help with your specific situation, talk to a licensed immigration attorney before you act.
