Can DACA Recipients Get a Green Card?
DACA does not itself lead to a green card. But some DACA recipients have separate pathways to lawful permanent residence through a qualifying family member or employer. The path depends entirely on your individual circumstances.
Reviewed by Gracie Johnson, Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law, State Bar of California, California State Bar #276536
Last reviewed: July 2, 2026
DACA is deferred action, not a visa or immigration status. It does not create a direct route to a green card. However, DACA recipients who have a qualifying family relationship or employer sponsorship may be able to obtain lawful permanent residence through those separate channels.
The most common pathway for DACA recipients is through a US citizen spouse. If you are married to a US citizen, your spouse can file a Form I-130 petition for you. However, if you entered the US without inspection (crossed the border without a visa), you may not be able to adjust status inside the US and may need to depart for consular processing, which can trigger a bar to re-entry. A provisional I-601A waiver may be available to minimize the time outside the US.
DACA recipients who entered with a valid visa may have more options to adjust status inside the US without departing. An immigration attorney must review your specific entry history to determine your eligibility and the safest path forward.
There is no automatic DACA-to-green-card pipeline in 2026. If someone tells you that DACA itself will lead to a green card, that is incorrect. Any route to permanent residence must go through a separate application process. Call Gracie Johnson Law at (310) 554-4630 for a case-specific evaluation.
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Also available in Spanish: ¿Pueden los Beneficiarios de DACA Obtener Tarjeta Verde?