---
kind: "section"
citation: "8 U.S.C. § 1257"
title: "8"
title_heading: "Aliens and Nationality"
number: "1257"
heading: "Adjustment of status of certain resident aliens to nonimmigrant status; exceptions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/8/1257"
units:
  - "Chapter 12 — Immigration and Nationality"
  - "Subchapter II — Immigration"
  - "Part V — Adjustment and Change of Status"
---

# §1257. Adjustment of status of certain resident aliens to nonimmigrant status; exceptions

- (a) The status of an [alien](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-3) [lawfully admitted for permanent residence](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-20) shall be adjusted by the [Attorney General](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-5), under such regulations as he may prescribe, to that of a nonimmigrant under paragraph (15)(A), (E), or (G) of [section 1101(a) of this title](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a), if such [alien](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-3) had at the time of [admission](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-13-A) or subsequently acquires an occupational status which would, if he were seeking [admission](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-13-A) to the [United States](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-38), entitle him to a nonimmigrant status under such paragraphs. As of the date of the [Attorney General](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-5)’s order making such adjustment of status, the [Attorney General](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-5) shall cancel the record of the [alien](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-3)’s [admission](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-13-A) for [permanent](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-31) [residence](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-33), and the [immigrant](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-15) status of such [alien](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-3) shall thereby be terminated.
- (b) The adjustment of status required by [subsection (a)](#a) shall not be applicable in the case of any [alien](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-3) who requests that he be permitted to retain his status as an [immigrant](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-15) and who, in such form as the [Attorney General](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-5) may require, executes and files with the [Attorney General](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a-5) a written waiver of all rights, privileges, exemptions, and immunities under any law or any executive order which would otherwise accrue to him because of the acquisition of an occupational status entitling him to a nonimmigrant status under paragraph (15)(A), (E), or (G) of [section 1101(a) of this title](/usc/8/1101.md?p=a).

## Source credit

(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title II, ch. 5, § 247, 66 Stat. 218; Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title III, § 308(f)(1)(P), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–621.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–208 substituted “time of admission” for “time of entry”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 104–208 effective, with certain transitional provisions, on the first day of the first month beginning more than 180 days after Sept. 30, 1996, see section 309 of Pub. L. 104–208, set out as a note under section 1101 of this title.

### Abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service and Transfer of Functions

For abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service, transfer of functions, and treatment of related references, see note set out under section 1551 of this title.