Green Card Through Adjustment of Status
Attorney-Led Guidance to Help You Become a U.S. Permanent Resident
For those already in the United States, an Adjustment of Status (AOS) allows you to apply for a green card without leaving the country. This process is often the preferred pathway for spouses, families, and workers who want to secure permanent residence while remaining together in the U.S.
With our clear, step-by-step legal support from an experienced adjustment of status lawyer, you can file accurately, avoid delays, and confidently move through the entire process.
What Is Adjustment of Status?
Adjustment of Status (AOS) is the process that allows certain people already inside the United States to apply for a green card directly through USCIS, instead of completing the process at a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas. It is the pathway for becoming a permanent resident from within the U.S. by “adjusting” your current immigration status, such as a visitor, student, or worker, into lawful permanent resident status.
Most application involves:
- Multiple USCIS forms
- Supporting Evidence
- Eligibility checks
- Medical examination
- Biometric appointment
- Possible interviews
- Ongoing USCIS communication
Our role is to guide you through each step so your application is accurate, well-organized, and submitted with confidence.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
You may be eligible for Adjustment of Status if:
- You are already inside the United States, and
- You qualify for a green card through a family relationship, a job, asylum, VAWA, or another special category, and
- You entered the U.S. legally (such as on a visitor, student, or work visa – exceptions exist for some humanitarian categories), and
- A green card is available in your category (immediate relatives of U.S. citizens always have one available).
Most applicants qualify through family, such as the spouse, parent, or unmarried child of a U.S. citizen. Others qualify as the spouse or child of a permanent resident, or through employment, special immigrant categories, or humanitarian protections.
During your consultation, we review your entry, your category, and your immigration history to confirm whether you qualify.
What the Adjustment of Status Process Typically Involves
While every case is unique, most AOS applications generally include these steps, based on USCIS guidelines:
Form I-485 Filing – Application to Register Permanent Residence from inside the U.S.
Biometrics Appointment – USCIS collects fingerprints, photographs, and a signature.
- Work & Travel Authorization. If eligible, you may request:
- EAD (Employment Authorization Document): permission to work legally in the U.S.
- Advance Parole for permission to travel outside the U.S. and return while the AOS application is pending
Medical Examination (Form I-693) – Completed by a USCIS-approved civil surgeon.
USCIS Interview – Required in many cases to verify eligibility and supporting evidence. We help you prepare by reviewing what to expect, required documents, relationship or employment evidence, and common interview questions
Final Decision – USCIS reviews the application and issues a decision. Processing times vary by category and field office.
Our team supports you through every stage to make sure your application is accurate, complete, and submitted correctly.
Concurrent Filing (I-130 + I-485)
If you qualify, you may file the underlying immigrant petition (I-130 or I-140) together with your Form I-485. This approach often simplifies the process by allowing multiple requests to move forward at the same time. Whether this option applies depends on visa category availability and USCIS rules.
We confirm eligibility and handle the full preparation process.
Work and Travel While Your Case is Pending
If eligible, you can request:
Employment Authorization (EAD): Permission to work
- Advance Parole: Permission to travel internationally and return to the U.S.
USCIS may issue these while your AOS application is being processed. We clarify eligibility, document requirements, timelines, and filing strategy.
Common Issues Applicants Often Face
Adjustment of Status involves strict evidence requirements.
USCIS may review:
- Prior immigration violations or unlawful presence
- Past criminal history or admissibility issues
- Whether your entry type allows AOS
- Gaps in relationship or financial evidence
- Missing signatures, wrong forms, or outdated documents
- Incomplete medical exam filings
- Incorrectly prepared I-864 Affidavit of Support
- Inconsistencies between forms and prior immigration history
We identify potential issues early and prepare your case to avoid delays or denials.
Required Documents for Adjustment of Status
Most applicants must provide:
- Passport and government-issued ID
- Birth certificate (with certified translation if needed)
- Marriage certificate or proof of qualifying family relationship
- I-94 record
- Copies of all prior U.S. visas and entry stamps
- Proof of lawful entry (when required)
- Proof of financial sponsorship (Form I-864)
- Two passport-style photos
- Form I-693 medical exam (sealed envelope)
- Evidence supporting your eligibility category (family, employment, etc.)
We will provide a detailed checklist tailored to your category and circumstances.
How We Help (What Makes Us Different)
At Your Green Card Lawyer, we provide clarity-driven, attorney-led AOS support, including:
- Confirming eligibility based on your category and immigration history
- Preparing and organizing every required form
- Collecting, reviewing, and strengthening supporting evidence
- Explaining each step in simple, clear language
- Preparing you for biometrics, interviews, and potential RFEs
- Our clients work directly with an experienced adjustment of status attorney who oversees the case from initial filing through final decision.
- Continuous updates so you always know what happens next
We focus on accuracy, completeness, and efficient preparation, giving you confidence throughout your case.
Why Choose Us
Here’s how Your Green Card Lawyer stands out from typical immigration firms:
✔ 100% Green Card Focused
We focus exclusively on green cards and U.S. immigration law.
✔ Attorney-Led, Not Assistant-Led
You work directly with our highly experienced green card attorney.
✔ Clear, Transparent Fees
Flat-fee pricing with no surprises. Payment plans available.
✔ Fast Communication
We respond quickly, keep you updated, and explain everything in plain language.
✔ Proven Experience With Complex Cases
We’ve helped clients with:
- Visa overstays
- Unlawful presence
- Previous denials
- Complicated relationship evidence
- Missing documentation
- Waiver-related questions
✔ Support for Families Worldwide
We handle Adjustment of Status cases for clients across the U.S.
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Frequently Asked Green Card Adjustment of Status Questions
Can I apply for a Green Card from inside the U.S.?
Many applicants can apply through Adjustment of Status if they meet certain requirements. During your consultation, we review your eligibility based on your entry, category, and immigration history. This is general information and not legal advice.
How long does Adjustment of Status take?
Processing times vary depending on category and USCIS workload. We can explain typical timeframes during your consultation but cannot guarantee timelines.
Can I work while my Adjustment of Status (AOS) application is pending?
You may apply for an EAD (work permit). If approved, you may work legally in the U.S. while waiting for your Green Card.
Can I travel outside the U.S. while Adjustment of Status (AOS) is pending?
Often, only with Advance Parole, leaving without it may result in case abandonment. We help you evaluate whether travel is advisable.
Do all applicants need an interview?
Most do. We provide interview preparation and review your documents before the appointment.
This information is for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney–client relationship. Immigration laws change frequently, and your situation may require personalized guidance.