Adjustment of Status

Foreign nationals legally admitted to the United States who continue to maintain their legal status, may change from one category of immigration status to another, without having to return to their country of origin to complete visa processing. This is called “adjustment of status.”

Adjustment of Status is the process by which foreign nationals are granted permanent immigration status in the United States with the ability to work and travel without many of the restrictions pertinent to non-immigrant visa holders or foreign nationals without status. You may apply for an Adjustment of Status to become a Permanent Resident if:

• You are eligible to receive an immigrant visa
• Are admissible to the United States for permanent residence
• An immigrant visa is immediately available to you at the time of application filing

Consular Processing

Consular processing is the process of petitioning for a family member who lives overseas or who is unable to adjust status within the United States. The process typically takes three steps and can take from several months to several years depending on the category of relative, visa processing times, as well as processing times at the United States embassy or consulate in your relative’s home country. If you have a relative for whom you would like to petition to join you in the United States and would like someone to guide you through the process, please feel free to contact us.

Removal of Conditions

When a foreign national adjusts status, they are sometimes granted a “conditional” resident status which is temporary and must be replaced by a “permanent” resident status at the end of two years. Conditional residents have many of the same rights as permanent residents except that they must limit their international travels to short, casual trips. If you are a conditional resident and you have three months or less from the expiration date of your conditional resident card, or if you have questions concerning your conditional residency status, feel free to contact us at 623-505-0940.