My EB-1A petition was approved but I never adjusted status. Can I resume the process later?

Generally, yes. Having an approved EB-1A petition is a significant milestone, but it is not the same as holding a green card. The approval confirms that your profile meets the extraordinary ability criteria; what remains is the step that finalizes permanent residence.

That final step happens through one of two paths, depending on where you are located:

• Through adjustment of status, if you are inside the United States.
• Through consular processing, if you are outside the United States.

If you did not move forward immediately after the approval, it is typically possible to resume later, provided you remain eligible and a visa number is available in your category. Visa availability is tracked through the official U.S. government publication (the Visa Bulletin), so it is worth checking before reactivating the process.

Keep in mind that individual factors, such as maintaining a lawful status in the United States, may affect your options, and that the rules can change over time. Confirm the current requirements with the official source (USCIS) and review your specific situation with a qualified specialist before resuming.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.