Your Guide for Applying for a Green Card or Form I-485 Adjustment Status
To adjust permanent resident status or register for permanent residence in the United States, it is necessary to fill out Form I-485 adjustment of status.
Who is eligible to apply for permanent residence in the United States?
You are eligible to apply to adjust your status if:
• You have a readily obtainable immigrant visa number through an approved immigrant petition or you have a completed relative petition, special immigrant juvenile petition, or special immigrant military petition.
• Your spouse or child is in the United States. Individual derivatives may file their Form I-485 adjustment of status with that of the principal applicant or may file any time after the principal’s Form I-485 application is approved and a visa number is available.
– If your spouse or child is residing abroad, the person applying for status adjustment in the United States should file Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition (Form I-824), along with Form I-485 adjustment of status. If the principal’s Form I-485 is approved, the derivatives may immigrate to the United States without delay.
• You are the K-1 fiancé of a U.S. citizen who you married within 90 days of your entry in the United States or you were permitted entry to the United States as the K-2 child of such a fiancé. You can apply to adjust your status based on your parent’s Form I-485 adjustment of status.
• You were granted asylum and have been physically present in the United States for at least one year since and still hold asylee status.
• You were admitted as a refugee and have been physically present in the United States for at least one year since and still qualify as a refugee.
• You are Cuban citizen and were admitted or paroled into the United States after January 1, 1959 and have been physically present in the United States for at least a year.
• You are the spouse or unmarried child of a Cuban described above and regardless of your nationality, you were admitted or paroled after January 1, 1959 and have been physically present in the United States for at least 1 year.
• You were admitted permanent residence in the United States prior to November 6, 1966 and are a Cuban citizen or the spouse or unmarried child of the aforementioned, you may request to change the date of the beginning of your lawful permanent residence to your arrival date in the United States or May 2, 1964, whichever is later.
• You have continuously resided in the United States since before January 1, 1972 (“Registry”).
• You have a Priority Date and Preference that are not current but valid under the Child Status Protection Act or if you have a Western Hemisphere Priority Date.
Form I-485 Adjustment of Status must be drafted and submitted correctly. To ensure that your adjustment of status case is processed in a timely fashion get the help of an experienced immigration lawyer located in Northern Virginia, minutes from Arlington VA, Alexandria VA, Annandale VA, and Springfield VA. Hiring an immigration lawyer ensures that your Form I-485 adjustment of status is submitted to USCIS on time and error free.
How to enter data and fill out form I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status:
1. You can either directly type the information using a computer or print the information legibly in black ink (write the information by hand using black ink and make sure to write clearly and legibly) on Form I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
2. Do not leave any questions unanswered, if the questions is not application to you or the answer is “none” then write down “none” or if the question is not applicable then write down “N/A.”
3. If more space is required use an additional sheet and write the following information at the top of each page:
a. Alien Registration Number or A-Number (if any)
b. Part and item number relating to the answer on Form I-485 adjustment of status.
c. Date and sign the sheet.
4. Do not forget to properly complete and sign your I-485 Adjustment of status application. You must submit the original signed copy to USCIS and not a photocopy. Your application will be rejected if it does not have an original signed signature.
You may wish to discuss and consult an immigration attorney in Springfield VA for your case. This ensures that you submit all the required fees, forms, and evidence at one time to USCIS for your Form I-485 application to register permanent residence. An immigration lawyer located in Springfield VA is minutes from Alexandria, Woodbridge VA, Arlington, Annandale, and the DC Metropolitan area to help with form I485 Adjustment of Status application.
Information required for completing your Form I-485 Adjustment of Status Application:
– Have your Alien Registration Number or A-Number available and enter it correctly.
– Enter your full legal name. If your name has changed and you have legally obtained a court order reflecting the name change then you must submit the court order along with your Form I-485 Adjustment of Status Application. Most commonly due to marriage or divorce or because of an error or misspelling on the Permanent Resident Card.
– Provide your address, date of birth, social security number, and other biographic information.
– Date you became a Permanent Resident
– Country of birth
– Your country of citizenship
What organizations have you been affiliated with?
You must list and describe every organization, association, fund, foundation, party, club, society, military service, or similar group you have been a part of in the United States since your 16th birthday.
Evidence Needed to File Application:
– Criminal history
– Copy of birth certificate
– Copy of passport page with nonimmigrant visa
– Two identical passport-style photos in color
– Biometrics Services (fingerprints)
– Police clearances
– Medical examination
– Form 324A Biographic Information Sheet
– Affidavit of Support and/or Employment Letter
– Evidence of eligibility
Just like every important thing in life consultation with an experienced immigration lawyer located minutes from Alexandria, Arlington, Annandale, in heart of Springfield VA is very important for the success of your form I-485 adjustment of status application. An immigration lawyer can help demonstrate a legitimate family relationship along with your qualification for the benefits being requested on your application.
What is the filing fee for Form I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status and the address for mailing?
For the most update to date fee schedule please visit USCIS Form I-485 Fee Schedule and for the address please see the form I-485 Instructions.
You must submit a fee of $985.00 for Form I-485 adjustment of status and $85.00 for the biometrics services fee. You must submit a total of $1070.00 with your application to adjust status. Send a check or money order and fully spell out “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.”
Link to Form I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.