Complete List of Green Card Category Codes – Explained

Need clarity on Green Card category codes? This guide breaks down each code, helping you navigate the complexities of U.S. immigration.

A Green Card category code, also known as the Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) Category Code, is a code found on the Green Card (Permanent Resident Card) issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This code indicates the specific provision of U.S. immigration law under which the cardholder was granted permanent resident status. Essentially, it identifies the category of eligibility that the individual met to become a permanent resident of the United States.

Green Cards serve as proof that their holders are legally permitted to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely, with certain rights and responsibilities. The category codes can be found on both the front and back of the card, depending on the version of the Green Card, and they help to classify the broad circumstances under which the individual was granted residency, such as through family relationships, employment, refugee or asylum status, among others.

Each LPR Category Code is directly linked to a specific section of the law (the Immigration and Nationality Act, or INA) that defines the eligibility category for permanent residence.

Understanding your Green Card Category Code is important for several reasons:

1. Legal Basis of Stay: It confirms the legal basis of your stay in the U.S., which can be crucial for any future immigration applications, including applying for citizenship through naturalization.
2. Renewal and Conditions: Some codes indicate conditional residency, meaning there are specific conditions that must be met or actions taken (like applying to remove conditions) before certain deadlines.
3. Benefits and Eligibility: Knowing your category can help you understand what additional rights or obligations you might have as a resident in the U.S.

Key Terminology Used:

• New Arrival: This term indicates entry into the U.S. on an Immigrant Visa obtained from abroad, typically involving consular processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
• Adjustment of Status: Refers to individuals already in the U.S. who convert or adjust their nonimmigrant status to that of a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder).
• Conditional Green Card: A Green Card with 2-year validity issued under certain conditions that require the holder to prove the basis of their eligibility for permanent residence at the end of the period, in contrast to the regular 10-year Green Card.
• Self-Petitioned: Describes a Green Card application or petition filed independently by the applicant without needing a sponsor, commonly used in categories like certain employment classifications or under laws protecting victims of abuse.

Conditional vs. Permanent: Not all Green Cards are issued under the same conditions. Some people receive a conditional Green Card, typically valid for only 2 years, which requires them to take additional steps to convert it to a permanent 10-year Green Card. This is often seen in cases of recent marriages to U.S. citizens (category codes beginning with CR).

Different From EAD Codes: Don’t confuse Green Card Category Codes with EAD (Employment Authorization Document) Category Codes, even though they might look similar. EAD codes are related to temporary work permissions, not permanent residency.

Complete List of Green Card Codes by Category:

1. Green Card Category Codes for Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens

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