Legal Definitions - lawful admission

Lawful admission refers to the act of entering a country legally, having followed all immigration laws and procedures, and possessing the correct authorization at the time of entry. It signifies that an individual was properly inspected and admitted into the country by an authorized immigration officer, in accordance with applicable statutes and regulations.

This concept is crucial in immigration law, as lawful admission is often a prerequisite for various benefits, such as applying for permanent residency (a "green card") or eventually becoming a naturalized citizen.

• Example 1: Permanent Resident Entry

  Maria, a citizen of Mexico, applied for and was granted an immigrant visa to live permanently in the United States. She traveled to a U.S. port of entry, presented her valid immigrant visa and passport to the Customs and Border Protection officer, and was subsequently allowed to enter the country. Maria's entry constitutes a lawful admission because she followed all required procedures and possessed the necessary legal documentation at the time she crossed the border.

• Example 2: Temporary Visa Holder

  Kenji, a student from Japan, obtained an F-1 student visa to pursue a master's degree at a university in California. Upon arriving at Los Angeles International Airport, he presented his passport, F-1 visa, and university acceptance letter to the immigration officer. After a brief interview, Kenji was admitted into the U.S. for the duration of his studies. His entry is considered a lawful admission because he entered with a valid, appropriate visa and was authorized by an immigration official.

• Example 3: Initial Lawful Entry for Later Status Adjustment

  Dr. Anya Sharma, a medical researcher from India, entered the United States on a valid B-1 business visitor visa to attend a conference. While lawfully present, she was offered a permanent research position and subsequently sponsored for an employment-based immigrant visa. She then successfully applied to adjust her status to a lawful permanent resident without leaving the U.S. Her initial entry on the B-1 visa was a lawful admission, which is a foundational requirement for her later adjustment of status, even though her purpose for staying changed.