Citizenship & Naturalization, Green Card & Residence

Is It Time? 5 Signs You’re Ready to Make the U.S. Your Permanent Home

Becoming a lawful permanent resident is one of the most significant milestones in your immigration journey. At the Law Office of Carrie Nguyen, we understand that this decision carries profound meaning—it’s about stability, keeping your family together, and building a permanent home.

As immigrants ourselves, we know the questions that keep you up at night: Am I eligible? Is now the right time? What if I make a mistake?

If you are wondering whether you should take the next step toward permanent residency, here are five clear signs that you are ready to apply for Adjustment of Status.

1. You Entered the U.S. Legally

The foundation of Adjustment of Status (AOS) is a lawful entry. This generally means:

You were inspected by an immigration officer when you arrived (e.g., with a tourist visa, student visa, or parole).
You have proof of that entry, such as an I-94 record or an admission stamp in your passport.

Why this matters: If you entered the country without inspection, you typically cannot “adjust status” from within the U.S. and may need to pursue Consular Processing instead. Determining this early is critical to avoiding a denial.

2. You Have a Qualifying Family Relationship

Most of our clients apply based on family ties. You are likely ready if:

You are the spouse of a U.S. citizen.
You are the parent of a U.S. citizen (who is at least 21 years old).
You are the unmarried child (under 21) of a U.S. citizen.

For these “Immediate Relatives,” an immigrant visa is always available, meaning you can file your paperwork immediately without waiting for a “priority date.”

3. Your Financial Sponsor is Ready

The U.S. government requires proof that you will not become a “public charge.” This means your petitioner (sponsor) must demonstrate:

Income at or above 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Tax returns filed for the most recent tax year.

Red flag to watch for: If your petitioner does not meet the income requirement alone, you are not out of options. We often help families utilize a “joint sponsor” to meet this requirement.

4. You Are Ready to Stay in the U.S. While Processing

Adjustment of Status allows you to stay in the United States while your application is pending. However, this also means you generally cannot travel internationally until you receive your travel permit (Advance Parole) or your Green Card is approved.

Real impact: If you have urgent travel plans or family emergencies abroad, we need to discuss whether AOS is the right path or if we need to expedite your travel documents.

5. You Want to Work Legally While You Wait

One of the biggest benefits of Adjustment of Status is the ability to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (work permit) while your case is processing. If you are ready to work legally and obtain a Social Security number, filing for AOS is the gateway to those benefits.