immigration lawyer who can file 485

Do I need an attorney to fill out the Form I-485?

You can also fill out the paperwork without an attorney's help. However, many people find that the process is highly complicated, and the consequences of making a mistake are quite serious. Paying an attorney can be well worth it. Filing Fees for Form I-485

Who qualifies for a green card with Form I-485?

According to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), only certain immigrants qualify to change their nonimmigrant status and register permanent residence with Form I-485. To apply for a green card, you must be eligible.

How much does it cost to file I-485 without a parent?

An applicant under 14 years of age filing without a parent pays the regular fee of $1,140, but no biometrics fee. If you are applying based on having been admitted as a refugee to the U.S., there is no fee for filing Form I-485. This does NOT apply to asylees, however.

Do I need an immigration attorney to apply for adjustment of status?

Immigration issues in the U.S can get quite sticky. You want to avoid running into unnecessary trouble, so it is a good idea to make use of an immigration attorney when applying for your Adjustment of Status. Most attorneys will charge a flat fee for preparing your form I-485.

Do you need a lawyer to file I-485?

Options for Preparing Form I-485 For individuals with complex situations, criminal offenses, or serious immigration violations, using an lawyer is the best option. But most people with straight-forward situations don't need a lawyer.

How much does it cost to file i485?

If You Are…Form FeeTotalUnder 14 and not filing with the I-485 application of at least one parent$1,140$1,140Age 14–78$1,140$1,225Age 79 or older$1,140$1,140Filing Form I-485 based on having been admitted to the United States as a refugee$0$01 more row•May 19, 2022

Can an individual file a 485?

You may apply as the person who directly qualifies for an immigrant category (“principal applicant”) or, in some cases, as a family member of the principal applicant (“derivative applicant”). Whether you are a principal or derivative applicant, you must file your own Form I-485.

Which service center will process my i-485?

If an I-485 is filed concurrently with an I-140 and a request for Premium Processing, all forms should be sent to either the Texas (Premium Processing, USCIS Texas Service Center, P.O. Box 279030, Dallas, TX 75227-9030) or Nebraska (Premium Processing, USCIS Nebraska Service Center, P.O. Box 87103, Lincoln, NE 68501- ...

How long does it take to get 485 approved?

8 to 14 monthsForm I-485 Processing Time Summary After filing Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status, and related forms, your I-485 processing time can take anywhere from 8 to 14 months. The basis of your adjustment of status (e.g. family, employment, asylum, etc.) will be a significant factor.

Who pays i-485 filing fee?

Typically the U.S. relative pays the fee for the petition. But your relative may expect you to pay for it. USCIS has a reduced fee for a child (under 14) if the application is filed with the I-485 of at least one parent.

Can I file I-485 without I-130?

It depends. Some individuals may be able to file Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status, concurrently with Form I-130 or shortly thereafter. Others people can't do this. One of the biggest determining factors is the qualifying relationship in the I-130 petition.

How long does it take for I-485 to be approved 2021?

8 to 14 monthsYou can expect the total I-485 processing time to be at least 8 to 14 months. It may take four to six weeks for USCIS to accept your application and send you a confirmation receipt. You then will receive notice of your biometrics appointment, which you must attend.

Can you file I-130 and i485 together online?

The Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130, and the Application to Register Permanent Residence, Form I-485, may be filed concurrently if you are already in the U.S. and meet certain eligibility guidelines.

Can you file i485 online?

You can file Form I-485 either online or by mail. To submit your form online, you should create a MyUSCIS account on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) website. You can then receive all updates on your application through your alien registration number (a-number).

Which Uscis office is the fastest?

The most efficient U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services field office is also stated to be in Cleveland. The USCIS office efficiency is reflected in the highest backlog completion of 71.3%, and the nation's shortest average processing time, which is only four months. Almost nobody waited longer than 12.3 months.

Can I leave the US while my i-485 is being processed?

If your I-485 Adjustment of Status application is pending, traveling anywhere outside the United States (including brief trips to Canada or Mexico) can lead to the denial of your Form I-485.

What is the purpose of filing an I-485?

The purpose of filing form I-485 application is to prove that the foreign spouse or relative is eligible for U.S. permanent residency. Unlike the I-130 form, your spouse or relative has to sign I-485, and in this process, they are called the “applicant.”.

How many categories are there in the I-485?

There are seven major categories listed on the form that applicants can file an I-485 based on: family, employment, asylum or refugee, human trafficking victim or crime victim, special programs, and additional options. For more clarity, those categories are further divided into 27 sub-categories for clarity. If your relative or spouse applies as ...

How long does it take to get an I-797?

Four to eight weeks after applying, you will receive a Form I-797, Notice of Action, to attend an interview to adjust your status as a permanent resident. The next step is attending an adjustment of the status interview before the U.S. immigration officer, usually six to 12 months after filing I-485.

How to get a green card if you have a valid visa?

Part 2 – choose the basis of your eligibility for a U. S. green card.

What are the parts of the immigration form?

Part 2 – choose the basis of your eligibility for a U.S. green card. Parts 3 through 7- provide more personal and immigration-related information (about parents, marital history, and children). Part 8 – most provided answers should be “no,” as they reflect grounds of inadmissibility.

Can I file an I-485 for permanent residency?

For this purpose, the applicant will use Form I-485 to file for Adjustment of Status. Besides, the applicants must be physically present in the US to file Form I-485.

Can I file for a green card if I am married?

When it comes to a green card application for married couples, only if a foreign spouse is physically present in the United States upon entering the United States on a valid visa, he or she can file an I-485 to apply for a green card.

What is the purpose of the I-485?

Form I-485 is used to file for Adjustment of Status.

What documents can be used for USCIS?

Government-Issued Identity Documents with Photograph. Examples include a passport, a driver’s license, and a military ID. Birth Certificate. “USCIS will only accept a long-form birth certificate which lists at least one parent.”. If the birth certificate isn’t available, then a suitable explanation must be provided.

Who is considered a principal applicant?

Someone who applies as the person “who directly qualifies for an immigrant category” is considered the principal applicant. Family members of the principal applicant are considered derivative applicants. The principal applicant must indicate which category – such as EB-1 A, B, or C – they are seeking approval for and must comply with all ...

Can I file an I-485 at the same time?

You may file at any of the following times: “At the same time, the principal applicant files Form I-485. After the principal applicant filed a Form I-485 that remains pending a final decision by USCIS. After USCIS approves the principal applicant’s Form I-485, if the principal applicant is still a lawful permanent resident and if, ...

What is Form I-485?

Form I-485 is officially called the “Adjustment of Status Application” and is the official green card application. Certain immigrants who are in the United States, including special immigrants like asylees, can submit an adjustment of status application to change their immigration status to a green card.

Who can file Form I-485?

According to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), only certain immigrants qualify to change their nonimmigrant status and register permanent residence with Form I-485. To apply for a green card, you must be eligible. USCIS’s green card eligibility categories can be family-based, humanitarian, or employment-based.

How much does Form I-485 cost?

When you determine that you qualify to file Form I-485, you’ll have to get ready to file it. There are supporting documents, including a government filing fee, to submit with the form. It costs $1,225 to file Form I-485 to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This amount includes a biometrics processing fee.

What supporting documents do I need to file with Form I-485?

To prove that you are eligible for a green card, you need to back up Form I-485 with supporting documents. These should include:

Where do I submit Form I-485?

Once you’ve completed all of your forms, collected the supporting documents, and prepared the filing fees, you should assemble everything in one packet to submit to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It’s preferable to make copies of all documents you are submitting. Never submit originals to USCIS - you may not get them back.

How long does it take for Form I-485 to get approved?

It can take a while for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to process your Form I-485 application. Form I-485 processing times differ depending on which adjustment category you fall under. You should receive receipt notices in approximately six weeks.

Conclusion

It can be complicated to File Form I-485, but working with a good immigration attorney or law firm can make it easier. If you can't afford the attorney fees and don't want to handle your file Form I-485 alone, we may be able to help.

What is an I-485 form?

An I-485 form is a form people who want to immigrate to the U.S use to apply for a green card. This application process is called Adjustment of Status. The form I-485 is submitted to the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) when making the application.

How much does an attorney charge for an I-485?

Most attorneys will charge a flat fee for preparing your form I-485. The fees for this process average at about $1225. The flat fee is definitely a perk if you have a complicated case that requires a lot of documentation (like affidavits). Some attorneys will also help prepare you for the interview.

Can I use an immigration attorney for an adjustment of status?

Immigration issues in the U.S can get quite sticky. You want to avoid running into unnecessary trouble, so it is a good idea to make use of an immigration attorney when applying for your Adjustment of Status. Most attorneys will charge a flat fee for preparing your form I-485.

What is an I-485 form?

An I-485 is the actual form with which you apply for U.S. permanent residency. The USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) governs and regulates immigration matters within the U.S. and you need to comply with their requirements to gain your permanent residency (or also known as a Green Card). There are different categories of people who ...

What is the I-485?

As previously mentioned the Form I-485 is the main application form with which someone applies for U.S. permanent residency. So let’s have a look at the different categories of people who are eligible to file Form I-485. Just note in some applications a petitioner (a U.S. permanent resident) files for permanent residency on behalf ...

What age can a family member be a permanent resident?

Family members of a U.S. permanent resident – Immediate relatives, children under the age of 21, dependents under the age of 21, and other family members deemed eligible by the USCIS. Employment-based categories – People who gained the right to live and work here based on an employment-related visa. Marriage-related categories – People who entered ...

Does USCIS take into account extra time lost?

This is obviously not taking into account any extra time lost due to errors caused by either you or the USCIS. It also doesn’t take into account the possible extra information or evidence requested by the USCIS. Also keep in mind you don’t have the guarantee of a successful application purely because you applied.

Do I need to file an I-485?

Though they have different requirements and paperwork to add in their applications, all of them need to file an I-485 to request their permanent residency. It may get technical, so ask for the expert advice ...

Is Premium Processing Service available for permanent residency?

A Premium Processing Service is only available for certain visas and, unfortunately, not for your permanent residency status request.