Foreigners can apply for an American Green Card in a variety of ways under US immigration law. The eligibility requirements for adjustment of status may differ depending on the immigrant category under which you apply. Here’s an update from the USCIS for those who have already applied for US Green Card.

If you applied for an employment-based Green Card and received a Request for Evidence for your Form I-693, you need to respond as soon as possible so that USCIS can finalize a decision on your adjustment application. Form I-693 is to demonstrate that you are not prohibited from entering the country due to public health concerns if you are applying for adjustment status to become a lawful permanent resident.

U.S. immigration law provides foreigners with a variety of ways to become lawful permanent residents (get a Green Card) through employment in the United States. These employment-based (EB) “preference immigrant” categories include:

First preference (EB-1) – priority workers with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics; Outstanding professors and researchers or Certain multinational managers and executives.

Second preference (EB-2) – foreigners who are members of the professions holding advanced degrees or who have exceptional abilities

Third preference (EB-3) – skilled workers, professionals, or other workers.

EB-4 special immigrants and EB-5 immigrant investors are other modes to get US Green-card. Foreigners in the United States can apply for lawful permanent resident status in the EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 categories while in the United States. This is called “adjustment of status.” Form I-485,

Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, is used by a person in the United States to apply for lawful permanent resident status.

Importantly, if you file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, on or after December 23, 2022, you must use the 12/23/22 edition of Form I-485 or USCIS will reject your filing. If you file Form I-485 before December 23, 2022, you must use the 07/15/22 edition of Form I-485 or USCIS will reject your filing.