Status Adjustment

Adjustment of Status

The I-485This is the most comprehensive of immigration forms as it grants a green card and eventually complete citizenship. Citizenship is a lengthy process, also known as naturalization. Once complete, your wife can become a host for her family to apply for citizenship and come to the US as well. This process takes a tremendous amount of time but for those wishing to make a better life for themselves and their new in-laws, it is good to know this ability and right is present. The complete package requires the following forms:

I-485,Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status

G-325ABiographic Information

Either your original I-130, Petition for Alien Relative (if you are filing concurrently), or a copy of your I-797, Notice of Action (if the petition was already approved).

I-864,Affidavit of Support

I-693,Medical Examination of Aliens Seeking Adjustment of Status

All required supporting documentation as listed on the above forms.

There will be a requirement for more immigration photos and the affidavit of support generally includes a letter form your bank and your employer detailing your ability to meet the financial obligations of supporting your wife.

Note: If your wife's medical examination for her Fiancé Visa was done in the last year, she DOES NOT need to go through the entire exam again.

She only needs to include an immunization update with her package. This will still require her to visit the Designated Civil Surgeon, but the cost for an update is MUCH less than a full examination. The Surgeons will not tell you these facts as they see many patients with differing needs. Your wife's immunization record will need to be translated into English before your visit.

After marriage, the request for adjustment of status, work permission and advanced parole (if she wishes to visit her family before the adjustment is approved) can be filed. Some people file all of them at once but the cost of the forms can be exorbitant when all are filed at the same time.

Advanced Parole: The I-131 Application for Travel Document

This document is required before your fiancé or wife leaves the country unless she has her green card. Since the green card or Adjustment of Status takes a great deal of time, you will need to submit the I-131 to protect your wife's re-entry to the United States should she take a trip outside the US Borders. (The Fiancé visa only allows a one time entrance into the US)

Note: If your wife leaves the US without a travel document, it will be viewed as abandonment of her adjustment of status and she will not be permitted to re-enter the US. Correcting this issue will have to be done from her home country and can be very difficult to resolve.

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Status Adjustment