US Outlines 9 Requirements for Green Card Applicants

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has specified nine requirements that foreign nationals, who are immediate relatives of American citizens, must meet to secure lawful permanent residence, commonly known as a Green Card. Immediate relatives include the spouse of a US citizen, unmarried children under 21, and parents of US citizens aged 21 or older.

The requirements include: 1) filing Form I-485, the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status; 2) being inspected and admitted or paroled into the US; 3) being physically present in the US when submitting Form I-485; 4) being eligible for an immigrant visa; 5) having an immigrant visa immediately available; 6) maintaining the family relationship that formed the basis of the original petition; 7) having no applicable bars to adjustment of status; 8) being admissible to the US or qualifying for a waiver; and 9) meriting a favorable exercise of discretion by USCIS. All nine conditions must be satisfied for a successful application.