GREEN CARD FOR A REFUGEE

FORT LAUDERDALE / MIAMI IMMIGRATION GREEN CARD FOR A REFUGEE

If you were admitted as a refugee, you are required by law to apply for a green card (permanent residence) in the United States 1 year after being admitted as a refugee. For more information on refugees, see the USCIC's Humanitarian page.

Eligibility Criteria
You must apply for a green card 1 year after you're admitted to the U.S. as a refugee if:

Have been physically present in the United States for at least 1 year after being admitted as a refugee
Have not had your refugee admission terminated
Have not already acquired permanent resident (green card) status

Application Process
To apply for a green card as a refugee, you need to file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Note: When permanent residency is granted, you will have your adjustment of status date recorded as the day you entered into the United States as a refugee. Supporting Evidence For Form I-485

To apply for a green card, refugees should submit the following documents and information (in this order) – CLICK HERE to Read or Download.

Family Application Process
You must prepare a separate Form I-485 application packet for each member of your family who wishes to obtain a green card. All family members’ application packets should be mailed together in the same mailing envelope. To hold each application packet together, please use a single staple or a paper clip.

Change of Address
If your address changes, you must inform USCIS in writing within 10 days of moving. This must be done for each family member. Submitting a change of address for the head of household or a single member of the household only will not change the address for the other family members. You may meet this requirement by:

Mailing Form AR-11, Alien's Change of Address Card, to the address on the form
Completing "Step 1" on the form (see "Online Change My Address")