AOS (Adjustment of Status)

The US immigration process by which a person already lawfully present in the United States changes from a non-immigrant status (for example H-1B, F-1, or O-1) to lawful permanent resident (green-card holder) without leaving the country, by filing Form I-485 with USCIS. AOS contrasts with consular processing, where an immigrant visa is issued at a US consulate abroad and the applicant enters the US as a permanent resident. Eligibility, timing, and the availability of concurrent work and travel authorisation (EAD/AP) depend on visa category, country of birth (for visa-bulletin priority), and continuing maintenance of underlying status.