Legal Definitions - adjustment of status

Adjustment of status (AOS) is a process that allows someone who is already in the United States to apply for permanent residency, also known as a Green Card. This process is handled by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and is different from consular processing, which is done outside of the US at a US embassy or consulate.

Some people are not eligible for adjustment of status, such as foreign national crewmen and those who are only passing through the US without staying for an extended period of time.

For example, if someone is in the US on a temporary work visa and wants to stay permanently, they can apply for adjustment of status. Another example would be if someone entered the US on a tourist visa but then married a US citizen and wants to become a permanent resident.

These examples illustrate how adjustment of status allows someone who is already in the US to change their immigration status and become a permanent resident.