Glossary of Immigration Terms

Adjustment of Status (AOS)
The process of applying for a green card from inside the United States without returning to your home country for consular processing.

Advance Parole
Permission to re-enter the U.S. after traveling abroad while your immigration application (like a green card or DACA renewal) is still pending.

Affidavit of Support
A form filed by a sponsor (usually a family member) promising to financially support the person immigrating so they won’t become a public charge.

Asylum
A form of protection for people who are already in the U.S. and cannot return to their home country due to fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular group.

Biometrics Appointment
A required appointment where USCIS collects fingerprints, a photo, and a signature to verify your identity for background checks.

Citizen (Naturalized or Birthright)
A person who has full legal rights and responsibilities in the United States, either by birth or through the naturalization process.

Consular Processing
When someone applies for a green card or visa through a U.S. embassy or consulate in another country instead of inside the U.S.

Continuous Residence
The requirement to live in the U.S. for a specific period before applying for citizenship or another immigration benefit, without long absences.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
A program that allows certain people who came to the U.S. as children to receive protection from deportation and work authorization, though not lawful status.

Deportation (Removal)
The legal process of being ordered to leave the United States by immigration authorities.

Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
A work permit that allows non-citizens to work legally in the U.S. while waiting for another immigration benefit or during certain visa statuses.

Family-Based Petition
An immigration petition filed by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to help a family member obtain lawful status.

Form I-130
The Petition for Alien Relative — a key form used to prove a qualifying family relationship between a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and their relative abroad.

Form I-485
The Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status — used to apply for a green card from inside the U.S.

Form N-400
The Application for Naturalization — the main form used by lawful permanent residents to apply for U.S. citizenship.

Good Moral Character
A requirement for many immigration benefits, meaning you have obeyed the law, paid taxes, and demonstrated honesty and integrity.

Green Card (Permanent Resident Card)
Proof of lawful permanent resident status in the United States, allowing a person to live and work here indefinitely.

Humanitarian Parole
Permission for someone to enter the U.S. temporarily due to urgent humanitarian reasons, such as medical emergencies or safety concerns.

Immigrant Visa
A visa issued to someone who intends to live permanently in the U.S., typically through family, employment, or humanitarian programs.

Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR)
A non-citizen who has been granted permission to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely (also known as a green card holder).

Naturalization
The process through which lawful permanent residents become U.S. citizens after meeting eligibility requirements.

Parole in Place (PIP)
A special program that allows certain undocumented family members of U.S. military personnel to stay in the U.S. lawfully.

Petitioner
The U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who files a petition on behalf of a family member or employee seeking an immigration benefit.

Priority Date
The date when an immigration petition was filed — used to determine when a person can move forward in the visa process based on country and category limits.

Public Charge
An immigration rule referring to whether a person is likely to rely on government assistance; affects eligibility for certain benefits.

Refugee
Someone outside their home country who is granted permission to come to the U.S. because they cannot return home safely due to persecution.

Removal of Conditions (ROC)
The process of renewing a conditional green card (often based on marriage) after two years to make it permanent.

SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System)
The database used by the U.S. government to track international students and exchange visitors while they are in the U.S.

Sponsor
A person — usually a family member or employer — who agrees to financially support an immigrant or visa applicant.

Status
Your legal standing in the U.S., such as “visitor,” “student,” “permanent resident,” or “undocumented.”

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
A form of humanitarian protection allowing individuals from certain countries experiencing crisis (like war or natural disaster) to live and work in the U.S. temporarily.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
The government agency that processes most immigration applications and petitions inside the United States.

Visa
An official document that allows a person to travel to and enter the United States. Some visas allow temporary visits; others allow permanent residence.

Visa Waiver Program
A program that allows citizens of certain countries to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without needing a visa.

Work Authorization
Permission granted by USCIS that allows non-citizens to work legally in the United States.