Overview
- USCIS lists multiple eligibility routes to permanent residence, including family, employment, special immigrant, refugee or asylee status, victims of trafficking or crimes, and registry categories.
- Applicants present in the United States use Form I-485 to seek adjustment of status, which allows pursuit of permanent residence without departing the country when eligibility and visa availability requirements are met.
- For Cuban nationals, the Cuban Adjustment Act permits filing after at least one year of physical presence if the applicant was inspected and admitted or paroled after January 1, 1959 and is admissible or eligible for relief.
- USCIS describes acceptable proof for CAA cases, such as Cuban passports or birth certificates to establish nationality and passports or Form I-94 to show lawful entry or parole.
- Administrative details highlighted include a general I-485 filing fee of $1,440 ($950 for certain minors filing with a parent), ASC biometrics appointments, and the option to file Form I-765 under category (c)(9) for an Employment Authorization Document that may be valid for up to five years while the I-485 is pending.