Transitioning from Tourist to Resident

If you’re visiting the United States on a temporary basis for school, work, or tourism, you may be wondering if you can stay in the country permanently and become a resident.  There are opportunities to amend your status if you meet certain qualifications.  If you meet these criteria, the process you will need to follow for transitioning from tourist to resident is called, “Adjustment of Status.”  

Are you legally in the United States?

The first requirement to use the Adjustment of Status process for transitioning from tourist to resident is that you must be legally inside the United States borders.  That means you’ve entered the country in an approved manner and have physically visited with a passport control officer or another immigration official.  If you used a visa to enter but the visa has since expired, it still counts as being a legal entry.

Do you have another qualifying factor?

In addition to being in the U.S. legally, you must meet one of the other qualifications for immigration to the United States.  In other words, you must be eligible to receive a green card. For example, one of the most common qualifications is immediate family relationships.  Parents and unmarried children (under 21) of U.S. residents are eligible to immigrate to the U.S.  Even if you have a qualifying status, you will still have a lengthy waiting period and it could be months or years before you are granted permanent residency.

What is the advantage of using the Adjustment of Status process?

The most significant benefit to applicants using the Adjustment of Status process is that they can continue to stay in the United States according to certain requirements while their applications are being processed.  For example, those with familial relationships may stay with family in the U.S. during this time.  The applicant may also receive permission to work or travel during the processing waiting period.  

Where can you find more information about the Adjustment of Status process?

You can find more information including all the required forms for the Adjustment of Status process on the USCIS website.

If you’re considering transitioning from tourist to resident, contact The Perfect Translation for all your translation needs.

The U.S. immigration process requires an intensive application process, including many official supporting documents.  Any documents that are not in English will need to be translated before the application is submitted.  Using a professional service like The Perfect Translation comes with many benefits.  Not only can you rest assured that all documents will be translated accurately the first time, but you’ll also have a professional working on your project that has experience working with the USCIS.