United States · Immigration54
INA Section 245(i)
A grandfathering provision that lets people who were the beneficiary of a petition or labor certification filed on or before April 30, 2001 adjust status inside the U.S. despite unlawful entry or status violations, on payment of a penalty fee.
Restricted eligibility · Editorial record dated 10/20/2026 · Not lawyer review or an eligibility decision. Check current official instructions.
Who this is for
Beneficiaries (including certain derivatives) of petitions filed on or before April 30, 2001 who now have a current basis for a Green Card.
Only helps people grandfathered by a petition filed by April 30, 2001; no new 245(i) eligibility can be created.
Common problems
Grandfathering proof
The original 2001-era petition receipt or approval notice is usually indispensable.