The Cuban Adjustment Act, also known as Cuban adjustment, is a special immigration law that allows eligible Cuban nationals and certain family members to apply for lawful permanent residency after living in the United States for at least one year following a lawful admission or parole. As a result, it remains one of the most accessible pathways to a green card for many Cuban immigrants.
What Is Cuban Adjustment?
Cuban adjustment allows eligible Cuban nationals to apply for permanent residency without needing a family sponsor or an employer. To qualify, applicants must show that they were lawfully admitted or paroled into the United States and have been physically present in the country for at least one year.
Who Qualifies?
To apply under the Cuban Adjustment Act, you generally must:
- Be a Cuban citizen or national.
- Have been lawfully admitted or paroled into the United States.
- Have lived in the United States for at least one year.
- Be eligible for adjustment of status and have no disqualifying immigration or criminal issues.
Family Members Who Can Apply
In addition, spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 may apply as derivative beneficiaries, even if they are not Cuban nationals. However, they must also meet certain eligibility requirements.
Forms Required for Cuban Adjustment
Most applicants will need to file the following forms:
Form I-485 – Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
This is the primary application for lawful permanent residency.
Form I-765 – Application for Employment Authorization (Optional)
This form allows you to work legally while your case is pending.
Form I-131 – Application for Travel Documents (Optional)
This form allows certain applicants to request permission to travel internationally while the application is being processed.
Form I-693 – Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record
A USCIS-designated civil surgeon must complete this medical examination.
In addition, applicants should provide supporting documents, including proof of Cuban nationality, evidence of lawful admission or parole, and proof of one year of physical presence in the United States.
Need Help With Cuban Adjustment?
Although the Cuban Adjustment Act provides an excellent opportunity to obtain permanent residency, completing the forms correctly can help avoid unnecessary delays.
PennySmart Group offers bilingual document preparation services to assist with:
- Immigration form preparation
- Employment authorization and travel document applications
- Family-based applications
- Document translations
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Call or text 941-282-5787, chat with us online, or email info@pennysmartgroup.com.
Spanish assistance available.
Important Notice: PennySmart Group is not a law firm. We are not attorneys licensed to practice law and may not provide legal advice or accept fees for legal advice. We are not accredited to represent individuals in immigration matters. Our services are limited to document preparation based solely on the information you provide.