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Dallas Adjustment of Status Lawyer

If you’re living in Dallas and recently applied for a green card, there’s another step to the process that you’ll need to complete to protect your immigration status. Failure to do so could put your staying in the United States at risk. If you’ve filed for legal permanent residency without the help of an immigration lawyer, you may be unaware that you also need to file for an adjustment of status.

 

MyImmigration can help ensure you don’t lose your right to stay in the country despite filing for a green card.


Without years of experience dealing with U.S. immigration law, it’s very easy to make a mistake or have a misunderstanding of how something is done. If you’ve filed for a green card but haven’t done anything else, we can help to ensure that you’ve done everything properly, including filing this important form.

What Does Adjustment of Status Mean?

When a foreign national is staying in the United States, they must be fully documented with USCIS. This usually means they are legally within the country on a certain type of visa. Most visas have an expiration date, so even if they apply for lawful permanent residency, you need to inform USCIS that you are “adjusting your immigration status.” This allows you to stay in the country while your green card application is pending.

Who Needs to File for an Adjustment of Status?

There are several types of situations where an adjustment of status must be filed. Unfortunately, there isn’t a “one size fits all” scenario to explain how it’s done since each individual’s situation could be different. Depending on the circumstances, different forms need to be filed at different times, which highlights the need for working with a seasoned adjustment of status attorney to ensure that this delicate process is done correctly.

 

Here are a few examples of how the process is handled, depending on the circumstances.

Employment-Based Green Cards

Immigrants seeking employment-based residency need to work together with their employers since both parties are required to file forms.

  • The employer or business needs to file Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker).
  • The immigrant employee will file Form I-485 (Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) after Form 1-140 has been approved.

Immediate Relatives of United States Citizens

The parents, spouses, and children of U.S. citizens who’ve applied for a green card are required to file the following forms:

  • First, the sponsoring family member should file Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative).
  • Then, the immigrant must file Form I-485 (Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status).

If the person filing for permanent residency is physically within the United States, both forms can be submitted simultaneously.

K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa Holders

Romantic partners who have entered the United States on a K-1 visa must adjust their status to stay in the country while waiting for their green card approval.

  • First, the U.S. citizen fiancé(e) files Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)) to sponsor their foreign romantic partner for the purpose of marriage.
  • Once the foreign fiancé(e) enters the U.S. and marries the U.S. citizen within 90 days, they can then file Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) and remain legally in the country.

Immigration Requirements Can Be Confusing

With so many different immigration scenarios where one might apply for a green card, knowing how and when to file for an adjustment of status can be difficult to understand. For something this important, you want to ensure that you do everything correctly the first time around.

 

Are you:

  • Unsure of how and when to file for an adjustment of status?
  • Confused about the differences between Form I-485 and Form I-130?
  • Need help with how to apply for a green card?
  • Have questions about your criminal record and if it’ll cause U.S. immigration problems?

Consulting with an immigration expert at MyImmigration will answer your questions, address your concerns, and help put your mind at ease.

Contact a MyImmigration Adjustment of Status Attorney in Dallas Today

When applying for a green card, don’t forget the necessary step of filing for an adjustment of status.

 

Rather than taking a chance and putting your immigration status at risk, contact us today to learn more about how to file for an adjustment of status.