Adjustment of Status
Getting a green card from inside the US by filing Form I-485, without leaving for a consulate.
Adjustment of status is how an eligible person already in the US becomes a permanent resident without leaving the country. You file Form I-485, and if approved, you get your green card while staying inside the US.
The early-2026 I-485 median runs about 8 to 13 months depending on category and office. Many applicants also file I-765 for work authorization and I-131 for travel so they can keep working and traveling while the I-485 is pending.
The alternative for people outside the US is consular processing. Which path applies depends on where you are and your eligibility.