You may be eligible to register for a Green Card if you have resided continuously in the U.S. since before January 1, 1972. Current immigration law includes a provision known as “registry”, which permits some non-citizens who have lived in the United States for a long time but are either illegal or in the country on a temporary visa to “register” for Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status.
Eligibility Requirements for Registry
A U.S. petitioner, medical test, or financial affidavit of support are not required for Registry applicants. An individual without a record of lawful entry for permanent residence is eligible for registry under current legislation if they fit the following criteria:
- You entered the United States prior to Jan. 1, 1972
- You have resided in the United States continuously since you entered
- You are a person of good moral character
- You are not ineligible for naturalization (citizenship)
- You are not removable (deportable) under Section 237(a)(4)(B) the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). You are not inadmissible under Section 212(a)(3)(E) of the INA or as a criminal, procurer, other immoral person, subversive, violator of the narcotics laws or alien smuggler
Required Documents for Green Card Registry
You should submit the following evidence with your Form I-485:
- Two passport-style photos
- Copy of government issued photo identification
- Copy of birth certificate
- Copy of passport page with nonimmigrant visa (if applicable)
- Copy of passport page with admission (entry) stamp (if applicable)
- Form I-94, Arrival/ Departure Record (if applicable)
- Evidence that you entered the United States prior to Jan. 1, 1972
- Evidence to establish continuous residence since entry
Note: An individual applying under the registry provisions is not required to undergo a medical exam.
Can Undocumented Immigrants Get a Green Card?
Yes! The immigration registration procedure has been in existence for more than a century, and it represents our country’s historical sense of justice in allowing long-term illegal immigrants the opportunity to transition to legal status.
| Fiscal Years | Number of Immigrants Adjusted Through Registry |
| 1985 – 1989 | 58,914 |
| 1990 – 1994 | 9862 |
| 1995 – 1999 | 1,368 |
| 2000 – 2004 | 1,214 |
| 2005 – 2009 | 1,105 |
| 2010 – 2014 | 606 |
| 2015 – 2019 | 305 |
VisaPlace Immigration News Contributor
Ella Bergquist
Hello! I am one of VisaPlace's many immigration news contributors. Comment below if you have any questions or comments about this article.
