Disclaimer: We assist with federal U.S. immigration (USCIS) matters only. Attorney Scott A. Maki is licensed in Minnesota only and cannot assist with state-law matters in any other state, including North Dakota.
Plain-English definitions of common immigration terms, acronyms, and USCIS form numbers you will see on green card, visa, and citizenship paperwork. Other pages on this site link here when they use one of these terms. Have a specific question? Check our family immigration FAQ.
Jump to: A · B · C · D · E · F · G · I · J · K · L · N · P · R · U · V · W · USCIS forms by number
A
Adjustment of status
Applying for a green card from inside the United States, using Form I-485, instead of through a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad (see consular processing).
Advance parole
Travel permission for someone with a pending green card application, requested on Form I-131. Leaving the U.S. without it can cause the green card application to be treated as abandoned.
Affidavit of Support
Form I-864, a sponsor’s legally binding promise to financially support a family-based immigrant.
B
Beneficiary
The relative a petition is filed for. The person filing is the petitioner.
Biometrics
Fingerprints, photo, and signature taken at a USCIS appointment for background checks and your card.
C
Civics test
The U.S. history and government part of the naturalization test. A USCIS officer asks the questions out loud, and you answer out loud. If USCIS received your Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025, you take the 2025 civics test: up to 20 questions from a list of 128, and you need 12 correct to pass. If you filed earlier, you take the 2008 test: up to 10 questions from a list of 100, and you need 6 correct. Some older applicants can take it in their own language (see English test exemptions). You can study with our free citizenship test practice.
Concurrent filing
Filing Form I-130 and Form I-485 together in one package, usually with Form I-765 and Form I-131. This is possible when the relative is in the U.S., is eligible for adjustment of status, and a visa is available right away (for example, the spouse of a U.S. citizen).
Conditional permanent resident
Someone with a two-year green card, usually because the marriage was less than two years old when the green card was approved. The conditions are removed with Form I-751.
Consular processing
Getting an immigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad, instead of adjusting status in the U.S. The case usually goes through the NVC first.
Continuous residence
For naturalization: living in the U.S. as a green card holder without long breaks. A trip abroad of more than 6 months may break continuous residence unless you can show you kept your life here, and a trip of 1 year or more generally breaks it.
D
DHS
Department of Homeland Security, the federal department that includes USCIS.
E
EAD (work permit)
Employment Authorization Document, a card that lets you work in the U.S., requested on Form I-765. Many people apply for one together with their green card application.
English test exemptions (50/20, 55/15, 65/20)
Rules that let some older naturalization applicants skip the English test. You qualify if, when you file Form N-400, you are 50 or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years (50/20), 55 or older with at least 15 years (55/15), or 65 or older with at least 20 years (65/20). You still take the civics test, but you may take it in your language of choice with an interpreter. Under 65/20, you also study a shorter list of 20 civics questions.
F
Family-based category (naturalization)
Applying for U.S. citizenship (naturalization) as the spouse of a U.S. citizen. In general, you can apply after 3 years as a green card holder if, for those 3 years, you have been married to and living with the same U.S. citizen spouse, and that spouse has been a citizen the whole time. Other requirements still apply, such as residence, good moral character, English, and civics. Compare the general category.
G
General category (naturalization)
The standard way most green card holders apply for U.S. citizenship (naturalization) on Form N-400. It does not depend on a family relationship. In general, you must have been a green card holder for at least 5 years, have lived in the U.S. continuously and been physically present for at least half of that time (30 months), have lived for at least 3 months in the state or USCIS district where you apply, and meet the good moral character, English, and civics requirements. You can file up to 90 days before reaching 5 years. Compare the family-based category.
Good moral character
A naturalization requirement: showing you have lived lawfully and honestly during the required period (usually the 5 or 3 years before you apply, up to the oath ceremony). Some past conduct, such as certain arrests or convictions, false statements to the government, or unpaid taxes, can cause problems.
Green card
Permanent resident card, proof of lawful permanent resident status.
I
Immediate relative
The spouse, unmarried child under 21, or parent of a U.S. citizen (the citizen must be at least 21 to petition for a parent). Immediate relatives are not subject to annual visa limits, so they do not wait for the Visa Bulletin.
J
Joint sponsor
A second person who signs a separate Form I-864 when the petitioner‘s income is not high enough. A joint sponsor must be a U.S. citizen or green card holder, at least 18, living in the U.S., and must meet the income requirement on their own.
K
K-1 visa
Fiancé(e) visa for someone coming to the U.S. to marry a U.S. citizen within 90 days of arrival. It starts with Form I-129F.
L
LPR
Lawful permanent resident, a green card holder.
N
Naturalization
The process of a green card holder becoming a U.S. citizen, using Form N-400. Common paths are the general category and the family-based category (spouse of a U.S. citizen). Practice for the test with our free citizenship test practice.
NVC
National Visa Center, the State Department office that handles cases after USCIS approves the petition and before the consular interview.
P
Petitioner
The U.S. citizen or permanent resident who files a petition for a relative (the beneficiary).
Physical presence
For naturalization: the total number of days you were actually inside the U.S. You need at least half of the required time: 30 months for the general category (5 years) or 18 months for the family-based category (3 years).
Preference category
A family category with annual visa limits, such as adult children or siblings of U.S. citizens, or spouses and children of green card holders. People in these categories wait until their priority date is current.
Priority date
Your place in line in a preference category, usually the date the petition was filed.
R
Receipt notice
Form I-797C, confirming USCIS received a filing. It includes the receipt number you use to check your case status.
RFE
Request for Evidence, a USCIS request for more documents before it decides a case. Answer by the deadline on the notice.
U
USCIS
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency in DHS that decides most family petitions, green card applications, and citizenship applications.
V
Visa Bulletin
Monthly State Department chart showing which priority dates can move forward in each preference category.
W
Work permit
See EAD.
USCIS forms by number
Form I-129F
Petition for Alien Fiancé(e). The first step for a K-1 visa.
Form I-130
Petition for Alien Relative. The first step for most family-based green cards and immigrant visas. It proves the family relationship.
Form I-131
Application for Travel Document, used to request advance parole.
Form I-485
Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, the green card application filed inside the U.S. (adjustment of status).
Form I-751
Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, filed by a conditional permanent resident to get a 10-year green card.
Form I-765
Application for Employment Authorization, used to request an EAD (work permit).
Form I-797C
Notice of Action, such as a receipt notice or appointment notice.
Form I-864
Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA (Immigration and Nationality Act).
Form N-400
Application for Naturalization, the U.S. citizenship application (naturalization).
This page provides general information, not legal advice.
Questions about your situation? Contact us to schedule a consultation.