# Can I switch from a green card back to a temporary work visa if I get a new job?

- Jurisdiction: United States
- Practice area: Immigration Law
- Published: 2026-11-05
- Last updated: 2026-11-05
- Canonical: https://lawasked.com/us/immigration/can-i-switch-green-card-back-temporary-work

## Question

I moved to Texas about three years ago and have been living here as a lawful permanent resident with my green card. Everything has been going great with my family, but my career situation just changed drastically. Last month, I was offered a highly specialized research position at a major university that requires me to be on a specific type of temporary academic visa. This is a huge opportunity for my professional growth, but I am confused about how my immigration status works now. If I accept this job and change my status to a nonimmigrant visa to satisfy the requirements of this new role, will I lose my green card forever? I tried looking up some general info online, but I can't tell if the government automatically cancels my permanent residency the moment they approve the switch to a temporary status. Also, is there any way to keep my green card benefits while still working under this new temporary visa, or is it an all-or-nothing situation where I have to choose one or the other?

## Summary

It depends on how you handle the application. If you simply adjust your status to a nonimmigrant visa, your permanent residency will be terminated, but you may be able to avoid this by filing a specific waiver.

## Analysis

Under current law, if you choose to change your status from a lawful permanent resident (a green card holder) to a nonimmigrant (a person on a temporary visa), your permanent residency is usually ended. Specifically, the law states that "the Attorney General shall cancel the record of the alien’s admission for permanent residence, and the immigrant status of such alien shall thereby be terminated" [1]. This means that if the government approves your request to switch to a temporary academic visa for your new research position, your green card status is automatically canceled [1].

However, there is a way to avoid this 'all-or-nothing' situation. The law provides an exception for people who want to keep their permanent residency while still obtaining a temporary status. This is possible if you "requests that he be permitted to retain his status as an immigrant and who... executes and files with the Attorney General a written waiver of all rights, privileges, exemptions, and immunities" [1]. In plain language, this means you can ask to keep your green card benefits, but you must sign a formal document promising to give up certain legal protections or special rights that would normally come with your new temporary occupational status [1].

It is also important to note that if your original green card was obtained improperly, the government has the power to cancel it. The law allows for the "rescind[ing] the action taken granting an adjustment of status" if it is discovered that you were not actually eligible for permanent residency in the first place [2].

State, provincial, or local laws may add further rules regarding employment or residency requirements, so you should check Texas-specific regulations.

## Statutory citations

- Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1257 - Adjustment of status of certain resident aliens to nonimmigrant status; exceptions [in force] (https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title8-section1257)
  > the Attorney General shall cancel the record of the alien’s admission for permanent residence, and the immigrant status of such alien shall thereby be terminated
- Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1257 - Adjustment of status of certain resident aliens to nonimmigrant status; exceptions [in force] (https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title8-section1257)
  > the adjustment of status... shall not be applicable in the case of any alien who requests that he be permitted to retain his status as an immigrant and who... executes and files with the Attorney General a written waiver
- Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1256 - Rescission of adjustment of status; effect upon naturalized citizen [in force] (https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title8-section1256)
  > the Attorney General shall rescind the action taken granting an adjustment of status to such person

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