The Adjustment of status process lets certain foreign nationals who are already in the US apply for lawful permanent resident status — which is called a Green Card — without the need to leave the country and do the processing in their home country.
The process is available to individuals that are eligible to apply for permanent residence based on their family relationship, employment, refugee or asylum status, diversity lottery, or other categories.
If you want to be eligible for adjustment of status as a foreign national, you must generally meet certain criteria, including maintaining lawful immigration status, having a qualifying relationship or job offer, and passing a medical exam.
If you’re outside the US, you’ve to get your visa abroad via consular processing.
Adjustment of status is a process that involves filing an application with USCIS (which means the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services).
As part of your application, you’ll be required to submit supporting documents and undergo a biometric appointment for fingerprinting and photographs. In certain cases, you may also need to attend an interview with USCIS.
If the adjustment of status application is approved, you’ll become a lawful permanent resident of the US and will be authorized to live and work in country permanently. Let’s take a look at the 10 important documents to submit with your Adjustment of status application for approval.
Key documents to include with your Adjustment of status application for approval
When submitting an application for Adjustment of status, consider submitting all necessary documents to USCIS to gain approval for your application. Here are the 10 essential documents that you should submit with your Adjustment of status application for approval:

1) Form I-485

Form I-485 is the main form you need to fill when applying for Adjustment of status. Ensure that you fill out the form completely and accurately to avoid issues or delays with your application.

2) Form I-864

Form I-864 is a form used in demonstrating you’ve sufficient financial resources to support yourself as well as any dependents. As part of your Adjustment of status application, you may also be required to submit supporting documentation, including bank statements or tax returns.

3) Form I-693

This form is a report of medical examination and vaccination record, and it must be completed by a designated civil surgeon. You’ve to undergo a medical exam and include the results of the exam with your Adjustment of status application.

4) Passport-style photos

Submit two passport-style photos with your application, and ensure that the photos are recent and meet the USCIS requirements.

5) Birth certificate

Submit a copy of your birth certificate. This document is important to prove your identity and date of birth. You can also use other government-issued IDs as a proof of identity, including a refugee travel document.

6) Marriage certificate

If you’re submitting an Adjustment of status application based on marriage to an American citizen or lawful permanent resident, consider submitting a copy of your marriage certificate.

7) Criminal records

Submit a certified copy of any criminal records or police certificates from each country in which you‘ve lived for six months or longer since 16 years of age.

8) Evidence of legal entry

If you entered the United States via a legal route, you’ll need to submit evidence of your legal entry. Such evidence can be as a copy of your visa or Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record.

9) Employment authorization documents

If you’ve previously been authorized to work in the United States, you’ll need to submit copies of any employment authorization documents, including Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization).

10) Supporting documents

You may also need to submit other supporting documents, including proof of your relationship with your spouse or proof of your eligibility for a certain immigration category, Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document), Form G-1450 (Authorization for Credit Card Transactions), and others.
Learn more about the 10 important documents to submit with your Adjustment of status application for approval on the USCIS website. Ensure that you submit all necessary documents and check to be sure that they’re accurate and up-to-date.
If you fail to submit all required documents, or you submitted inaccurate or incomplete documents, your Adjustment of status application may not be approved.