This article was last updated on June 9, 2026

When should I apply for a green card?

A “green card” is another term for lawful permanent resident (LPR) status, or having the right to live in the United States permanently. U.S. law requires that refugees apply for a green card once they have been “physically present” in the U.S. for one year, starting from the day they arrived as refugees.

If you traveled outside of the U.S. since you arrived with refugee status, it will take longer to meet the one-year requirement.

You are allowed to apply for a green card before you have been “physically present” for one year. We recommend applying for a green card near the end of your one year of being “physically present” in the United States. It is very important that you apply before you reach the one-year point. If you have already been in the United States for over one year, you generally should submit your application as soon as possible. If you have not yet applied and you have questions or concerns about whether you should do so now, you should ask a legal representative for advice.

The U.S. government issued a policy in 2026 saying that they would arrest and detain refugees who have been here for a year and have not yet submitted their green card applications, as well as refugees who have not attended interviews for their green card applications. Even refugees who have already submitted their green card applications but have not received their green cards were at risk of detention under this policy. IRAP has challenged this policy in a court case, and the court has ordered that the government cannot detain refugees under this policy while the case proceeds. We will update this page if anything changes, but as of June 5, 2026, refugees cannot be arrested or detained under this policy. 

How can I apply for a green card?

You can apply for a green card by filing a Form I-485 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This form is also called the “Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.” You can find this form on the USCIS website here.

• You should fill this form out carefully. Get help from a qualified attorney if you are not sure how to fill this form out by yourself.
• If you were the “principal applicant” on your refugee application but came with family members, each member of your family must file a separate Form I-485, but you can mail them all together in one envelope.
• As a refugee, you do not need to pay any application fees.
• You must get a medical examination form, called a Form I-693 and available on the USCIS website here, completed by a “designated civil surgeon.”  A designated civil surgeon is a medical doctor who is on a specific list of doctors approved by USCIS to do this type of exam. You can find a civil surgeon near you using the USCIS website. 
  • As a refugee, you may be required to only have the doctor fill out the “vaccination record” section of the form. However, refugees who had certain medical conditions, known as “Class A” medical conditions, during their initial medical examination abroad are required to complete a full medical examination. If you are not sure, you may want to have the doctor perform a full medical examination and complete the entire Form I-693.

Make sure you include all required documents with your application. This will include:

• Two identical passport-sized photos
• A copy of a government-issued ID with your photo, like your passport, national ID, or driver’s license
• A copy of your birth certificate, if available 
• Evidence of your refugee status, such as a Form I-94, a Refugee Travel Document, a copy of an admission stamp in your passport, or your Transportation Boarding Letter
• The sealed medical exam (Form I-693) signed by a civil surgeon.
• If you have had criminal charges, arrests, or convictions, additional documents may be required and you should speak to an attorney about your case. 

There are also additional requirements for applications you are filing for your spouse or your children.

• Applications for your spouse should also include:
  • A copy of your marriage certificate (if available) 
    • This should also include an English translation and a certificate of translation.
• Applications for your children should also include:
  • A copy of a birth certificate, if available, showing the father’s name if possible
    • This should also include an English translation and a certificate of translation.

You must mail your application packet to USCIS. At this time, refugees cannot apply for their green cards online. The correct mailing address depends on the state where you currently live. You can find the mailing addresses here.

Preparing a green card application can be confusing. You should ask a qualified attorney for help or advice if you are not sure how to prepare your application. In particular, if you think any questions in Part 9 of the form are relevant to you or a family member applying at the same time as you, we strongly recommend talking to an attorney before you apply. You can search for free or low cost immigration legal services providers in your area here.

What happens after I submit my application?

After you submit your application, you may receive a notice in the mail for a “biometrics appointment” (an appointment to collect your fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature) within a few months of submission. If you need to reschedule this appointment, you can either reschedule online through your USCIS online account or by calling the USCIS Contact Center: 800-375-5283. If you do not have a USCIS online account IRAP has detailed instructions on how to set up an account here. If you move, update your address with USCIS here.

USCIS may also request additional information regarding your case. They do so by mailing you a request for evidence (RFE). The request will list what information was missing from your application and what you will need to submit. As always, if you are not sure what to do, please contact a qualified attorney. RFEs have deadlines, so you should reach out to an attorney as soon as you receive one and need help.

You may receive a notice for an “adjustment of status interview.” This is an interview related to your green card application. It is very important that you attend this interview. If you are unable to attend your interview, you should follow the instructions on your appointment notice or contact the USCIS Contact Center to request that the appointment be rescheduled. If you do miss your appointment, the government may try to take away your refugee status or even arrest you. At this time, refugees who are scheduled for green card application interviews are being asked “revetting” questions about their original refugee applications. For more information on how to prepare for this type of interview, click here. 

How long will it take to get a decision on my green card application?

Currently, all green card applications (also known as applications for “adjustment of status”) filed by refugees who arrived in the U.S. between January 21, 2021 and February 20, 2025 are paused. The government has said that the pause will end for refugees who have been revetted, but many refugees who have been re-interviewed still have not received decisions on their applications. Refugees are still required to apply for their green card after they have been physically present for one year, and you can still apply for your green card during the pause.  You can read more about this policy here. 

You can also check the status of your application online. When you submit your green card  application, you will receive a receipt notice. On the top left corner of the notice, you will see a box that says “receipt number” and a number listed under it. Usually the number begins with three letters. You can use this receipt number to check your status online.