Adjustment of Status

This is the 2nd step, to becoming a legal permanent resident in the USA. In order to file this application to adjust status to legal permanent resident, the person must be legally in the US and have a qualifying relative to petition for them.

Applying for Adjustment of Status is to adjust your status from a temporary status to a lawful permanent resident ("LPR") is a person who has been given this status by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service ("CIS"). If you are an LPR, you should have an I-551 card with your photo on it, and your immigration case number, to use to prove your LPR status. This card is also known as a permanent resident card. Immigration law requires that LPR over age 18 carry this card with them. Since 1989, all LPR cards are issued with an expiration date of ten years after issuance. This does not mean that your LPR status is expiring, but it does mean that you have to apply for a new LPR card.

If you are a conditional resident, your card will have an expiration date of two years after issuance, and you need to take additional action to retain your status. Talk to a qualified immigration law advocate to find out what steps you need to take.