People who are already living in the United States under something like a student or work visa may decide that they want to become a lawful permanent resident, which is informally known as getting their green card. The adjustment of status process is what makes this possible without having to leave the country.
Not everyone can apply for an adjustment of status. Typically, the process has to be initiated by someone who is here legally and has a reason to stay. This may be because they have a close family member who is a permanent resident or a U.S. citizen.
In some cases, people apply for an adjustment of status for humanitarian reasons. Others may opt to apply through work.
The person who’s applying needs to have an approved petition, which can be a Form I-130 or I-140. Once that’s approved and the priority date is current, they can file the Form I-485 for a status adjustment.
What happens after the Form I-485 is filed?
After the Form I-485 is filed, the applicant must have a biometrics appointment to take their picture and fingerprints. They may have an interview to answer questions about their application.
During the application process, the person can apply for work and travel permits so they can do those activities while they wait for their application to be reviewed. If the application is approved, they will get their proper documentation in the mail.
The process for handling an adjustment of status must be done properly. It might be beneficial for individuals in this position to work with someone who’s familiar with the process so they can ensure they’re doing this correctly.
