Updated November 11, 2026

US immigrant visa and Green Card guide: consular processing, Form I-485 and eligibility

Applying for a United States immigrant visa or Green Card starts with two questions: which eligibility category you fit, and whether you are inside or outside the country. If you live abroad, you apply for an immigrant visa at a Department of State consulate through consular processing, while applicants already inside the United States apply for lawful permanent resident status on Form I-485 without leaving. Most paths require at least two forms: an immigrant petition and a Green Card application.

Consular processing vs adjustment of status: which path do you use?

A Green Card, known in government records as a Permanent Resident Card, lets you live and work permanently anywhere in the United States. Once your immigrant petition is approved and a visa number is available, where you live determines which path you take.

If you are outside the United States, you use consular processing at a Department of State consulate abroad to receive an immigrant visa and enter as a permanent resident. If you are already physically present inside the United States, you can use adjustment of status on Form I-485 to obtain lawful permanent resident status without traveling back to your home country.

Comparing the two pathways to lawful permanent residence

Who qualifies for a US immigrant visa or Green Card?

To apply for a Green Card, you must qualify under one of the statutory eligibility categories in immigration law. USCIS groups these categories into family, employment, special immigrant, refugee or asylee, abuse and crime victim, and special legislative programs.

Under employment creation provisions, immigrant investors must invest or be actively investing at least $1,050,000, or $800,000 in a targeted employment area or infrastructure project, in a new commercial enterprise that creates full-time jobs for at least 10 qualifying employees (uscis.gov, as of September 2026).

• Immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen: the spouse of a U.S. citizen, an unmarried child under 21 of a U.S. citizen, or the parent of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old.
• Family preference categories: unmarried sons or daughters 21 or older of a U.S. citizen, married sons or daughters of a U.S. citizen, brothers or sisters of an adult U.S. citizen, plus spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried sons or daughters 21 or older of a lawful permanent resident.
• Other family categories: a fiancé(e) admitted on a K-1 nonimmigrant visa and their K-2 child, a widow or widower who was married to a U.S. citizen at the time of death, and VAWA self-petitioners including abused spouses, children under 21, and parents.
• First preference immigrant workers: individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, outstanding professors and researchers, and multinational managers or executives.
• Second preference immigrant workers: members of professions holding advanced degrees, individuals of exceptional ability in sciences, arts, or business, and national interest waiver applicants, including physicians practicing full-time in underserved areas.
• Third preference immigrant workers: skilled workers whose jobs require at least 2 years of training or experience, professionals whose jobs require at least a U.S. bachelor degree or foreign equivalent, and unskilled workers performing labor requiring less than 2 years of training or experience.
• Special immigrants: religious workers serving a nonprofit religious organization, Special Immigrant Juveniles needing court protection due to parental abuse, abandonment, or neglect, qualifying Afghan and Iraqi translators or government employees, international media broadcasters for the U.S. Agency for Global Media, and retired G-4 or NATO-6 organization employees and family members.
• Refugees and asylees: individuals admitted as refugees at least 1 year ago or granted asylum status at least 1 year ago.
• Trafficking and crime victims: individuals currently holding T nonimmigrant visas or U nonimmigrant visas.
• Other categories: Diversity Immigrant Visa lottery winners, Cuban Adjustment Act applicants with at least 1 year of physical presence, dependent family under the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act, Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness applicants continuously present since November 20, 2014, Lautenberg parolees, Indochinese Parole Adjustment Act applicants paroled on or before October 1, 1997, Canadian-born American Indians with at least 50% American Indian blood, Section 13 foreign diplomats, and Registry applicants residing in the country continuously since before January 1, 1972.

Which immigrant petition do you need to file first?

Most people applying for a Green Card need to file two forms: an immigrant petition and a residency application. A sponsoring relative or employer generally submits the initial immigrant petition, though certain classifications permit self-petitioning.

Humanitarian programs and selected special statutory categories, including the Cuban Adjustment Act and Registry, do not require an underlying immigrant petition before filing for permanent resident status.

Common USCIS immigrant petitions by category

How does consular processing work outside the United States?

If you reside outside the United States, or choose consular processing while temporarily in the country, the Department of State handles your immigrant visa application. The process follows eight distinct steps.

1. Determine your basis to immigrate. Establish eligibility under family, employment, special immigrant, or humanitarian categories.

2. File the immigrant petition. Your family member or employer submits Form I-130 or Form I-140 to USCIS, or you file Form I-526 or Form I-360 if your classification permits self-petitioning.

3. Wait for USCIS to decide the petition. If USCIS approves your petition, it forwards the file to the National Visa Center (NVC), where your record remains until a visa number is available in your category.

4. Receive NVC instructions. The NVC collects immigrant visa processing fees, known as fee bills, and supporting documentation. The center alerts both the sponsor and the applicant when it receives the file, when an immigrant visa number is about to become available, and when forms and fees must be submitted.

5. Update the NVC regarding life changes. You do not need to contact the NVC unless you change your mailing address, turn 21 years old after filing as a child, or change your marital status.

6. Complete your consular interview. Once your priority date is earlier than the cut-off date in the monthly Visa Bulletin, the consulate schedules your interview, reviews your records, and determines visa eligibility.

7. Receive your sealed Visa Packet. If the consular officer approves your visa, you receive a sealed immigrant Visa Packet. Do not open this packet under any circumstances. You should pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee online after collecting your visa and before traveling to the United States.

8. Enter through a designated port of entry. Surrender your unopened Visa Packet directly to the CBP inspector at the border. All arriving travelers undergo inspection. Once the CBP officer admits you, you hold lawful permanent resident status.

How does Form I-485 adjustment of status work inside the US?

If you are physically present in the United States, you can apply for lawful permanent resident status by filing Form I-485 directly with USCIS. Each family member, whether a principal applicant or derivative spouse or child, must file a separate Form I-485.

You generally cannot file Form I-485 until USCIS has approved your immigrant petition and a visa number is immediately available. Some classifications permit concurrent filing, allowing Form I-485 to be filed together with the petition when visa numbers are current. Special immigrant religious workers cannot file concurrently and must hold an approved Form I-360 before submitting Form I-485, and non-minister religious workers must have their adjustment approved on or before the statutory sunset date.

• Review adjustment bars and waivers. Applicants are generally ineligible under INA section 245(a) if statutory bars under INA section 245(c), (d), or (e) apply, though eligible applicants may adjust under INA section 245(i) using Form I-485 Supplement A.
• Sign and file Form I-485. The applicant or legal signing authority must sign in ink. USCIS rejects stamped or typewritten names, though a photocopy, fax, or scan of an original handwritten signature is accepted. A parent or guardian may sign for applicants under 14.
• Attend the biometrics appointment. USCIS mails an Application Support Center (ASC) notice with a set date, time, and location for fingerprinting, photographs, and signature capture. At the ASC, you must sign an oath affirming under penalty of perjury that your application was complete, true, and correct when filed.
• Attend your interview if scheduled. USCIS evaluates your case file to decide if an interview is needed. If scheduled, you and your petitioning sponsor must bring original copies of every document submitted with the application, including current and expired passports, travel records, and Form I-94.
• Respond to any Request for Evidence (RFE). If USCIS needs missing documents or updated proof, submit your response by the date listed on the notice. Track case status online or call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833).
• Report any address change within 10 days. You must notify USCIS within 10 days of any change to your physical or mailing address while your adjustment application remains pending.
• Receive a written decision notice. If approved, USCIS mails an approval notice first, followed by your physical card. If denied, the notice explains the legal reasons and whether you may file an appeal or a motion to reopen or reconsider on Form I-290B.

What happens if you travel outside the US while Form I-485 is pending?

Leaving the United States while your adjustment of status application is pending requires careful advance planning. Under Form I-485 instructions, departing the country without specific travel permission causes USCIS to deem your application abandoned under INA section 245, even for brief trips to Canada or Mexico.

Only applicants meeting specific statutory criteria can travel internationally without abandoning their pending Form I-485.

• Advance Parole: You apply for and receive an Advance Parole Document on Form I-131 before leaving the country, and CBP inspects and admits or paroles you upon your return at a port of entry.
• H, L, V, or K-3/K-4 status: You hold and maintain valid H-1B, H-4, L-1, L-2, V, or K-3/K-4 nonimmigrant status and reenter with a valid nonimmigrant visa.
• Temporary Protected Status (TPS): You obtain travel authorization under INA section 244(f)(3) and CBP inspects and admits you back into TPS status upon return.
• Refugee and asylee adjustments (INA section 209): You travel abroad using a valid Refugee Travel Document issued through Form I-131.
• Registry filings (INA section 249): Travel abroad does not abandon a registry application, but you must hold an Advance Parole Document to be permitted to return.

What documents and evidence must you submit with Form I-485?

Submit legible photocopies of supporting evidence unless the form instructions specifically demand an original record. If you submit unrequested original records, USCIS or the Immigration Court may destroy them. Form G-325A is no longer required because Parts 1 and 4 of Form I-485 collect the necessary biographical data.

Every foreign-language document must include a full English translation. The translator must sign a statement certifying that the translation is complete and accurate, that they are competent to translate, and must include their printed name, date, and contact details.

• Two identical passport-style photographs: taken recently, 2 by 2 inches on a white to off-white background, with your name and A-Number written lightly on the back.
• Government-issued photo identification: a photocopy of a government identity card, driver license, military ID, or passport (even if expired).
• Birth certificate: issued by the civil authority in your country of birth listing at least one parent. If unavailable, provide secondary records or two sworn affidavits from non-parties with personal knowledge explaining why civil records are missing.
• Proof of inspection and admission or parole: copies of your passport page showing the admission or parole stamp, nonimmigrant visa, and Form I-94 from your most recent arrival. Asylees, registry applicants, VAWA self-petitioners, Special Immigrant Juveniles, T and U visa holders, children of diplomats, and INA 245(i) applicants are exempt.
• Immigrant category documentation: Form I-797 approval or receipt notice for your underlying immigrant petition, or the complete petition itself if filing concurrently.
• Marriage certificate and termination records: a civil marriage certificate if adjusting as a spouse, plus divorce decrees or death certificates terminating all previous marriages for both parties.
• Continuous lawful status proof: mandatory for family preference, employment preference, religious worker, international broadcaster, and Diversity Visa applicants, shown by Forms I-797, I-94, I-20, or DS-2019 for every entry and stay.
• Public charge disclosure (Part 9, Items 56 to 64): unless exempt, report household size, annual income (excluding means-tested public benefits and illegal sources), household assets, liabilities, educational background, occupational skills, and any past or current receipt of means-tested public benefits.
• Exchange visitor compliance: for previous or current J-1 and J-2 visa holders, submit all Forms DS-2019 or IAP-66, visa stamps, and documentation showing satisfaction of the two-year home residency requirement under INA section 212(e), or an approved waiver.
• Certified arrest and court records: complete arrest reports, formal charging documents, plea agreements, and final court dispositions for every arrest, detention, charge, conviction, or alternative sentencing program anywhere in the world, including incidents as a minor or sealed records.

How to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee and track your Green Card

If you immigrate through consular processing abroad, you must pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee online so USCIS can produce your physical Green Card. Check Form G-1055 on the USCIS website for current fee schedules. Cash is never accepted for USCIS filing fees or biometric services, even at a USCIS office. Filers use the government online payment portal, credit, debit, or prepaid cards through Form G-1450, or ACH bank transfers through Form G-1650.

At your consular interview, the embassy or consulate gives you your Alien Number (an A followed by 8 or 9 digits) and your Department of State Case ID (3 letters followed by 9 or 10 numbers, or 4 numbers, 2 letters, and 5 numbers for Diversity Visa immigrants). You, a family member, employer, or attorney can use these two identifiers to pay online in a single transaction for your family.

Failing to pay before departure does not invalidate your permanent resident status. However, USCIS will not mail your Green Card until payment is made, and your sole evidence of status will be the temporary I-551 stamp placed in your passport by CBP, which remains valid for 1 year from your admission date.

Children entering through orphan or Hague adoption procedures, Afghan and Iraqi special immigrants, returning permanent residents (SB-1s), and K nonimmigrants are exempt from the USCIS Immigrant Fee.

USCIS mails your card to the address provided to the Department of State or the updated address given to CBP at entry. Create a USCIS Case Status Online account to track your USPS delivery number and register for USPS Informed Delivery. If your card does not arrive within 90 days of admission (or 90 days of paying the fee if paid after arrival), contact USCIS at 800-375-5283 or submit an online e-Request for non-delivery of card.

Practice example

Have you traveled outside the United States since you filed your Form I-485?

When the officer asks if you have traveled outside the United States since filing Form I-485, answer with a clear yes or no and state your exact travel dates. If you stayed inside the country, confirm that directly. If you departed, give the departure date, return date, and destination that match your records. Have your passport and travel permission ready to hand over. If you traveled under Advance Parole, present your Form I-131 approval or travel document. If you maintained valid H-1B, H-4, L-1, L-2, V, or K-3/K-4 nonimmigrant status, show your valid visa and Form I-94 arrival record from that reentry. If you traveled without advance permission or qualifying status, departing the United States abandons your Form I-485, so the officer will check whether you had valid authorization before leaving.

At an adjustment of status interview, the officer checks whether any departure outside the United States abandoned your Form I-485 under INA section 245 or created an inspection issue upon your return.

This is interview practice, not legal advice. For questions about your own case, talk to an immigration attorney. Visaful is not affiliated with the U.S. government or the Department of State.