Getting a Green Card as a Refugee or Asylee

Both refugees and asylees are eligible to become permanent residents after living in the United States for at least one year. One year after the US government accepts your asylum or refugee plea, you can apply for an Asylum Green Card or Refugee Green Card. If your spouse or children got “derivative” asylum with you, you can also apply for Green Cards for them when you apply for a Refugee or Asylee Green Card. Only if you and your family have been physically present in the United States for at least one year since receiving asylum status are you and your family eligible to adjust status to Asylum Green Cards. This article outlines the prerequisites for Asylum and Refugee Green Cards and walks you through the application procedure.

Green Card for Asylees

Eligibility for an Asylum Green Card

As an asylee, you must satisfy the following conditions in order to be eligible for a Green Card:

• You submit Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, in a timely manner.
• When you file Form I-485, you must be physically present in the United States.
• You have been physically present in the United States for at least a year after receiving asylum; you continue to fit the description of a refugee, or you are the spouse or child of a refugee;
• You have not established a permanent residence in any other country;
• Your asylum grant has not been revoked;
• You are qualified for lawful permanent residence in the United States or a waiver of inadmissibility or other kind of relief.

How to Apply for the Asylum Green Card

1. Complete the Form I-485.
2. Assemble the necessary supporting papers.
3. Obtain the necessary filing fees.
4. Submit your forms and supporting documents to USCIS.
5. Attend your appointment for biometrics services.
6. Attend your interview for a Green Card.
7. Get your Green Card for Asylum.

Required Documents for the Asylum Green Card

• Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status with the required fee or with Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver;
• Proof of your grant of asylum (such as a copy of the letter, decision of an immigration judge, or Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record that shows the date you were granted asylum);
• Evidence of one-year physical presence in the U.S.;
• Two passport-style photographs;
• Copy of your government-issued identity document with photograph;
• Copy of your birth certificate (if available);
• Copy of your passport page with nonimmigrant visa (if available);
• Copy of your passport page with admission or parole stamp (issued by a U.S. immigration officer) (if available);
• Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (you may submit this form together with Form I-485 or later, for example, when USCIS requests it or in person at your interview, if any);
• Certified police and court records of criminal charges, arrests, or convictions (if applicable); and
• Form I-602, Application by Refugee for Waiver of Grounds of Excludability (if applicable).

Green Card for Refugees

Eligibility for the Refugee Green Card

In order to be eligible for a Green Card as a refugee, you must meet the following requirements:

• You properly file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status;
• You were admitted into the United States as a refugee under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA);
• You are physically present in the United States at the time you file your Form I-485;
• You have been physically present in the United States for at least one year after your admission as a refugee at the time you file your Form I-485;
• Your refugee status has not been terminated;
• You have not already acquired permanent resident status; and
• You are admissible to the United States for lawful permanent residence or eligible for a waiver of inadmissibility or other form of relief.

How to Apply for the Refugee Green Card

1. Complete the Form I-485.
2. Assemble the necessary supporting papers.
3. Obtain the necessary filing fees.
4. Submit your forms and supporting documents to USCIS.
5. Attend your appointment for biometrics services (refugees do not need to pay for biometrics).
6. Attend your interview for a Green Card.
7. Get your Refugee Green Card.

Required Documents for the Refugee Green Card

• Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status;
• Proof of your admission as a refugee  (such as a copy of Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record that shows the date you were admitted as a refugee);
• Evidence of one-year physical presence in the U.S.;
• Two passport-style photographs;
• Copy of your government-issued identity document with photograph;
• Copy of your birth certificate (if available);
• Copy of your passport page with nonimmigrant visa (if available);
• Copy of your passport page with admission or parole stamp (issued by a U.S. immigration officer) (if available);
• Copy of Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record or copy of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) admission or parole stamp on the travel document (if applicable);
• Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record;
• Certified police and court records of criminal charges, arrests, or convictions (if applicable); and
• Form I-602, Application by Refugee for Waiver of Grounds of Excludability (if applicable).