Residence in United States: permits and requirements
Living legally in United States is possible through 8 permit types: family, permanent, investment, international protection, other. Each program has its own requirements; below are the duration, renewal, costs and documentation according to the country's official sources.
Permanent Resident Through Adjustment of Status (Family)
Residence type #1 of 8
Adjustment of status to permanent resident for spouses, parents, or single children under 21 of a U.S. citizen, when the applicant is already in the United States.
Requirements
- Hold an approved family petition (Form I-130)
- Be physically present in the United States
- Have no grounds of inadmissibility
- Have entered the country legally or be eligible under Section 245(i)
Documentation
- Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence)
- Approved or concurrently filed Form I-130
- Valid passport and I-94
- Marriage certificate
- Birth certificate
- Medical examination (Form I-693)
- Passport-style photos
- Affidavit of support (Sponsor's Form I-864)
Frequently asked questions about residence in United States
How many types of residence permits are there in United States?
United States offers 8 residence permit types, grouped into the categories family, permanent, investment, international protection, other. Each permit has its own requirements, duration and documentation, detailed in this fact sheet according to the country's official sources.
How long do residence permits in United States last?
Durations vary by permit type: 10 years (renewable); conditions removed after 2 years if conditional marriage; 10 years (renewable); Conditional for 2 years; condition removal with Form I-829; then 10 years renewable; 6, 12 or 18 months depending on the designation; renewable while the country remains designated. The exact details of each type appear in the corresponding fact sheet.
Can residence permits in United States be renewed?
It depends on the type: 7 of 8 permits are renewable. Each fact sheet on this page indicates whether the permit in question allows renewal.
What documentation is usually required to reside in United States?
Although each permit requires its own file, the most recurrent documents are: Formulario de solicitud; Passport-style photos. The complete list by residence type appears in each fact sheet, together with the corresponding official link.
Does residence in United States lead to nationality?
Yes, through the Naturalization LPR 5 years pathway, which requires 5 years of continuous residence as an LPR before applying (physical presence ≥30 months of the 5). The complete requirements are in the nationality fact sheet of United States.
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Anything to correct or add about United States?
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