What is ‘Adjustment of Status’ (AOS)?

Adjustment of Status (AOS) is the procedure that allows someone already lawfully in the United States, often on a temporary visa such as the H-1B, to apply for a change to permanent resident status (green card) without having to return to their home country to complete the process at a consulate.

In practice, AOS is the bridge between a nonimmigrant visa and permanent residency. Its key advantage is allowing the applicant to remain in the United States while the petition is being reviewed, rather than going through consular processing abroad.

To use this pathway, an applicant must have an eligible basis for the green card and submit the required forms and documentation. That basis can come from different categories, such as:

• qualifying family ties;
• job offers or employment-based petitions;
• other categories provided under immigration law.

Because the requirements and availability of each pathway vary by case, it is worth confirming the current rules with USCIS or a specialist before filing, avoiding any promises of a guaranteed outcome.

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.