The adjustment of status (AOS) is a process in the U.S. that allows certain non-immigrants who live in the U.S. to adjust their status and become green card holders. Eligible individuals can change from their current non-immigrant status to permanent residency by filing Form I-485 with USCIS. This involves meeting requirements, providing evidence, undergoing background checks, and attending an interview. Upon approval, applicants receive a green card, granting them permanent resident rights in the U.S.
There are various methods by which individuals can obtain a green card, including family sponsorship, a job or job offer, asylum, or other special provisions. In this article, you will come to know the information about the forms required in each category, adjustment of status fee, and timeline to become a green card holder.
Who Can Become a Permanent Resident Through AOS?
To become a permanent resident through adjustment of status, there are certain paperwork, fees, and evidence that must be provided. The specific requirements for these depend on the type of green card that you are applying for, which in turn depends on your current visa status. You can qualify through:
- Family-based green card categories: You can qualify to apply for a green card if you are an immediate family (spouse, child, parent, or sibling) of a U.S. citizen or lawful resident. You are also eligible through K-1 fiancé or K-2 child.
- Employment-based green card categories: For employment-based immigration, certain visas are eligible for adjustment of status. If you fall under the first, second, or third preference immigrant employee category, or are a physician with a National Interest Waiver, or an immigrant investor, then you are eligible for adjustment of status.
- Special Immigration: If you are a religious worker, a special immigrant juvenile, or fall under other qualified special immigrant categories, then you may be eligible for a green card.
- Refugee or Asylee Status: You can qualify to apply for a green card through adjustment of status if you are in refugee or asylee Status inside the United States.
Related Article: Check our comprehensive guide on the Form I-485 checklist
Adjustment of Status Forms and Fees
Below you can find the category in which the respective applicants are eligible to apply for a green card and live and work permanently in the U.S. Along with the form number you can also find the adjustment of status fee for the application submitted to USCIS.
Category #1: Family (spouse, child, parent, or sibling)
| Form | Details | USCIS Fee |
| I-485 | Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. It is used to apply for a green card by adjusting their status from nonimmigrant to permanent resident. | $1,140 |
| For the child under 14 | $750 | |
| I-130 | Petition for Alien Relative. This form is to determine the qualifying relationship between the U.S. citizen or permanent resident and the foreign national relative. | $535 |
| I-130A | Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary. If the applicant for adjustment of status is the spouse of the petitioner, they must file a supplemental form along with Form I-130. | $0 |
| I-864 | Affidavit of Support. This form is used to show that the applicant has sufficient financial resources to support and not rely on the U.S. government for public assistance. | $0 |
| I-765 | Application for Employment Authorization. This is an optional form. It is used to request work authorization in the United States while waiting for a green card. You are eligible for an employment authorization card if you apply through an adjustment of status. | $0 |
| I-131 | Application for Travel Document. This is an optional form. It is used to request an advance parole card to reenter the U.S. after the travel outside the U.S. It is required if you plan to travel abroad while waiting for a green card. | $0 |
| I-693 | Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. This form serves as evidence that the applicant for adjustment of status does not pose a public health risk and is not inadmissible to the U.S. on public health grounds. It is prepared by the doctor during the immigrant medical exam for the applicant. | $0 |
| Biometrics Screening for the age between 14-78 | $85 |
Category #2: Family (K-1 fiancé or K-2 child)
| Form | Details | USCIS Fee |
| I-485 | Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. It is used to apply for a green card by adjusting their status from nonimmigrant to permanent resident. | $1,140 |
| For the child under 14 | $750 | |
| I-864 | Affidavit of Support. This form is used to show that the applicant has sufficient financial resources to support and not rely on the U.S. government for public assistance. | $0 |
| I-765 | Application for Employment Authorization. This is an optional form. It is used to request work authorization in the United States while waiting for a green card. You are eligible for an employment authorization card if you apply through an adjustment of status. | $0 |
| I-131 | Application for Travel Document. This is an optional form. It is used to request an advance parole card to reenter the U.S. after the travel outside the U.S. It is required if you plan to travel abroad while waiting for a green card. | $0 |
| I-693 | Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. This form serves as evidence that the applicant for adjustment of status does not pose a public health risk and is not inadmissible to the U.S. on public health grounds. It is prepared by the doctor during the immigrant medical exam for the applicant. | $0 |
| Biometrics Screening for the age between 14-78 | $85 |
Category #3: Employment
| Form | Details | USCIS Fee |
| I-485 | Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. It is used to apply for a green card by adjusting their status from nonimmigrant to permanent resident. Note: Some applicants need to file I-485 Supplement J, Confirmation of Bona Fide Job Offer or Request for Job Portability Under INA Section 204(j). | $1,140 |
| I-765 | Application for Employment Authorization. This is an optional form. It is used to request work authorization in the United States while waiting for a green card. You are eligible for an employment authorization card if you apply through an adjustment of status. | $0 |
| I-131 | Application for Travel Document. This is an optional form. It is used to request an advance parole card to reenter the U.S. after the travel outside the U.S. It is required if you plan to travel abroad while waiting for a green card. | $0 |
| I-693 | Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. This form serves as evidence that the applicant for adjustment of status does not pose a public health risk and is not inadmissible to the U.S. on public health grounds. It is prepared by the doctor during the immigrant medical exam for the applicant. | $0 |
| Biometrics Screening for the age between 14-78 | $85 |
Category #4: Asylum Status
| Form | Details | USCIS Fee |
| I-485 | Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. It is used to apply for a green card by adjusting their status from nonimmigrant to permanent resident. | $1,140 |
| For the child under 14 | $750 | |
| I-765 | Application for Employment Authorization. This is an optional form. It is used to request work authorization in the United States while waiting for a green card. You are eligible for an employment authorization card if you apply through an adjustment of status. | $0 |
| I-131 | Application for Travel Document. This is an optional form. It is used to request an advance parole card to reenter the U.S. after the travel outside the U.S. It is required if you plan to travel abroad while waiting for a green card. | $0 |
| I-693 | Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. This form serves as evidence that the applicant for adjustment of status does not pose a public health risk and is not inadmissible to the U.S. on public health grounds. It is prepared by the doctor during the immigrant medical exam for the applicant. | $0 |
| Biometrics Screening for the age between 14-78 | $85 |
Category #5: Refugee Status
| Form | Details | USCIS Fee |
| I-485 | Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. It is used to apply for a green card by adjusting their status from nonimmigrant to permanent resident. | $1,140 |
| I-765 | Application for Employment Authorization. This is an optional form. It is used to request work authorization in the United States while waiting for a green card. You are eligible for an employment authorization card if you apply through an adjustment of status. | $0 |
| I-131 | Application for Travel Document. This is an optional form. It is used to request an advance parole card to reenter the U.S. after the travel outside the U.S. It is required if you plan to travel abroad while waiting for a green card. | $0 |
| I-693 | Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. This form serves as evidence that the applicant for adjustment of status does not pose a public health risk and is not inadmissible to the U.S. on public health grounds. It is prepared by the doctor during the immigrant medical exam for the applicant. | $0 |
| Biometrics Screening for the age between 14-78 | $85 |
Category #6: Special Immigrant
| Form | Details | USCIS Fee |
| I-485 | Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. It is used to apply for a green card by adjusting their status from nonimmigrant to permanent resident. | $1,140 |
| For the child under 14 | $750 | |
| I-765 | Application for Employment Authorization. This is an optional form. It is used to request work authorization in the United States while waiting for a green card. You are eligible for an employment authorization card if you apply through an adjustment of status. | $0 |
| I-131 | Application for Travel Document. This is an optional form. It is used to request an advance parole card to reenter the U.S. after the travel outside the U.S. It is required if you plan to travel abroad while waiting for a green card. | $0 |
| I-693 | Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. This form serves as evidence that the applicant for adjustment of status does not pose a public health risk and is not inadmissible to the U.S. on public health grounds. It is prepared by the doctor during the immigrant medical exam for the applicant. | $0 |
| Biometrics Screening for the age between 14-78 | $85 |
Important: At the beginning of this year, USCIS announced its intention to raise the fees for various types of visa applications, including those for marriage green cards and for those seeking to adjust their status to green cards.
The proposed fee for the I-485 form is $1540, with the same fee for children under 14 years old. In addition, a fee of $650 will be charged for employment authorization, and a fee of $630 for travel documents, which are currently free of charge. The fee for the I-130 form will also increase to $820.
If the fee increase is implemented, the total cost for these applications will be $3640 instead of the current $1760. Therefore, it is advisable to be proactive and start the I-485 application process as soon as possible.
Adjustment of Status Timeline
The adjustment of the status timeline can vary based on the type of application and other factors. Obtaining a green card through adjustment of status (AOS) can be a lengthy process, and the exact timeframe will depend on your circumstances. You can check on the USCIS site which provides processing times every quarter for all forms.
Below is the split up timeline for the adjustment of status applications.
- Receipt Notice: After the proper filing of the I-485 application, USCIS will send you a receipt notice known as Form I-797C, Notice of Action. It takes around 2 to 4 weeks after filing.
- Biometrics Appointment: Second, you will receive a biometrics appointment from USCIS to collect your fingerprints, photograph, and signature. This date and location will be mentioned in the appointment. It takes around 5 to 8 weeks after filing.
- EAD Card: If you have filed I-765 and I-131 Forms along with your I-485 Form filing, you will receive both the EAD card and advance parole travel document from USCIS. It takes around 14 to 20 weeks after filing.
- AOS Interview: Next you will receive an information to attend the adjustment of status interview. Through second notice you will know interview appointment details. It takes around 8 to 14 weeks after filing.
In total, it takes 8 to 14 months to receive a green card through adjustment of status. For other visa types you can check the processing time in USCIS site.
What Happens After a Change of Status?
After completing it successfully you will receive your green card! After receiving you can work and live across the United States, traveling abroad and returning, and provides a path to eventual U.S. citizenship.
If your change of status was due to marriage and you were recently married, you may receive a conditional green card valid for two years. As the end of the 2-year period approaches, you will need to upgrade this to a full 10-year green card.
Depending on the type of green card you have, you may be eligible to apply for citizenship after holding a green card for 3-5 years. To qualify for citizenship, you must fulfill certain requirements, including paying your taxes, having a clean criminal record, and not leaving the United States for long periods without a reentry permit.
Get Help with Your Application for Adjustment of Status
To start the process, you need to fill out Form I-485. To avoid mistakes in your application use ImmigrationDirect online immigration software provides you with easy-to-understand instructions to prepare and also access to other services to file your application correctly. Complete your adjustment of status forms to obtain a green card before USCIS implements the fee increase.
