If you were admitted to the United States as a refugee or as a qualifying family member of an asylee, you are eligible to apply for permanent residence (a green card) 1 year after your entry into the United States.
If you were granted asylum in the United States, you are eligible to apply for permanent residence 1 year after the grant of your asylum status.
As a refugee, you are required by law to apply for permanent resident status 1 year after being admitted to the United States in refugee status. As an asylee, you are not required to apply for permanent resident status after being granted asylum for 1 year, although it may be in your best interest to do so.
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.
Eligibility Criteria
If you are a refugee, you must apply for a green card 1 year after you are admitted to the United States as a refugee if you:
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
Green Card for an Asylee
If USCIS granted you asylum status, you are eligible to apply for a green card (permanent residence) 1 year after receiving your grant of asylum. Your spouse and children are also eligible to apply for a green card if they were admitted to the United States as asylees or were included in your grant of asylum.
You are not required to apply for a green card; however, it may be in your best interest to do so. Among other reasons, should country conditions change in your home country or you no longer meet the definition of an asylee due to changed circumstances, you may find you no longer qualify for asylum status with the right to remain permanently in the United States. Becoming a permanent resident will alleviate these concerns.
Eligibility Criteria
If you are an asylee, you may apply for a green card 1 year after being granted asylum if you:
Have been physically present in the United States for at least 1 year after being granted asylum
Continue to meet the definition of a refugee (or continue to be the spouse or child of such a refugee)
Have not abandoned your refugee status
Are not firmly resettled in any foreign country
Continue to be admissible to the United States (A waiver may be available to you if you are now inadmissible
Click on the links below for detailed information on the following topics:
Contact Joseph M. Ghabour, Attorney At Law, LLC for an appointment today. We will help you with all aspects of your immigration case. The time to contact an immigration attorney is before the filing of your petition or application—not after. Call us today!
