5-year bar

Federal law requires many qualified immigrants to wait five years before becoming eligible for Apple Health (Medicaid). This 5-year waiting period is commonly referred to as the 5-year bar. Unless exempt, the 5-year waiting period usually begins when the person receives their qualifying immigration status, not when they entered the U.S.

Five-year bar

The 5-year bar does not apply to individuals that have obtained a qualified immigration status within the last 5 years, if they entered the U.S. prior to August 8, 1996, and have continuously lived in the U.S. since August 22, 1996.

The I-551 Permanent Resident Card (green card)

The category code on the I-551 Permanent Resident Card (green card) indicates how an LPR entered the U.S. If an individual entered the U.S. under a status that is exempt from the 5-year bar.

For more information on the 5-year bar see the Citizenship and Immigration Status Guide .

The following immigrant categories are exempt from the 5-year bar: