Green Card - Lottery Winners
What happens when adjusting status in the USA
The process of adjusting your status to permanent resident involves preparing a set of forms and documents (a separate set for you, your spouse and each of your accompanying children), mailing these to a USCIS service center, waiting for some weeks or months until you are called in to have your fingerprints taken and then waiting a few weeks or months longer until you are called in for your final GREEN CARD interview at a local USCIS office (not the one to which you sent your application).
You should be approved for your Green Card at or soon after the interview. As part of the adjustment of status application you and your family members may apply for permission to work.
Paperwork to prepare for adjustment of status application
The basic form used in the US Adjustment of status application is Form I-485 Application for Permanent Residence. However, a handful of other documents must be prepared to accompany the main one. A complete set of forms must also be prepared for your accompanying spouse and children.
Checklist for Adjustment of Status application
Forms- Form I-485
- Filing Fee - Currently $1010 for applicants between ages 14 and 79, $600 for applicants under the age of 14 who are filing with parent, and $930 for applicants over 79 years of age, or under 14 but not filing with parent. The fee includes fingerprinting (biometrics). You will be notified where and when to appear. If you are in the US illegally but allowed to adjust status under the old laws you must pay a $1000 penalty.
- Form I-485A (you will need to be pay $1,000 penalty in order to adjust status
- Form G-325A
- Form I-765 (optional, if you want a work permit, include a separate filing fee, currently $340
- Form I-134 or other proof of financial support
- I-131 Application for Travel Document (Advance Parole) for use if you think you will need to travel outside the US while your application is being processed. This also requires a separate filing fee of currently $305.
- Copy of the official notice that your lottery registration was selected.
- Proof of education - High school diploma or proof of job skill training such as vocational school certificate and proof of at least 2 years of skilled employment verified by letters from past employers.
- Copy of long form Birth Certificate for you and each accompanying relative. If this is in another language it must be accompanied by a full English Translation.
- Marriage certificate if you are married and bringing your spouse.
- If you or your spouse were married before, copies of divorce and/or death certificates.
- Copy of I-94 card for you and each accompanying relative (the small card in your passport). If you do not submit this it will look like you entered the US illegally and either are not eligible or subject to the $1,000 fine.
- Two color photos of you and each accompanying relative in US passport style. Write your name and A-number on the back of each photo.
- Medical exam report for you and each relative (form I-693) filled out by a USCIS certified doctor presented in an unopened envelope. The fee is $150 per exam.