Those seeking to adjust status and become a permanent resident must, for the most part, submit a medical examination along with their adjustment application. The medical exam, done on Form I-693, is to ensure that you have no inadmissible related health conditions. This mainly refers to infectious diseases that are of public health concern. Often,…
Waiting for your adjustment of status to be processed and approved can be a painfully slow process. For many people, it can take years and years for their priority date to become current and a visa to be available. Even then, you still have to file your adjustment of status and wait for it to…
USCIS has faced increasing backlogs across the entire agency, and several factors have made these backlogs even worse in recent years. The immigration policies of the prior administration created the “invisible wall” of bureaucratic processing delays for an agency that was already mismanaging its funds. The current pandemic, along with lack of resources, have exacerbated…
Most people who apply for adjustment of status (AOS) also apply for an employment authorization document (EAD) and advance parole (AP) at the same time. Because of the lengthy processing times for AOS applications, your EAD and AP will likely be approved prior to your green card. Using those benefits, however, comes with consequences you…
Applications for permanent residency must include a lot of documentation. USCIS and Department of State require documentation of your birth. Ideally, this is achieved by submitting your birth certificate with your application. A birth certificate establishes the applicant’s country of citizenship and familial relationships, which helps to show eligibility for permanent residency. This also helps…
The Form I-485 Supplement J is a relatively new form. As its name suggests, it is a supplemental form to the Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. While the Supplement J is used in employment-based adjustment of status applications to confirm a bona fide job offer still exists or to request…
Recently, USCIS has been approving Employment Authorization documents (EADs) without approving advance parole travel documents (APs) at the same time even though both applications were filed together. For the past ten or so years, USCIS has normally issued EAD/AP cards, or combo cards, when applicants applied for employment authorization and advance parole at the same…
On January 21, 2022, the Departments of State and Homeland Security announced new policies with the goal of attracting and retaining more STEM talent to the US. Below is an explanation of the key changes and clarifications. F-1 OPT/STEM OPT Extensions The Department of Homeland Security published a notice on the Federal Register announcing their…
On January 21, 2022, USCIS updated its guidance affecting some employment-based adjustment of status applicants. Specifically, USCIS is now encouraging anyone who would benefit from the process of interfiling to consider doing so. As a refresher, interfiling is the process of transferring the underlying basis for your adjustment of status from one preference category (such…
The process of bringing your fiancé to the US involves many steps and multiple phases. The process can be daunting and difficult to understand. One of the most common questions couples have is: What does the process entail? First, you must file a Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e). Along with the form, you and…