Form I-485 2021-2022

The I-485 form was updated in June 2017!Here is a guide on how to fill out the latest I-485.

Form I-485 Process -When you send Form I-485 to the USCIS, they will first review it to make sure that there are no fatal errors (i.e. no signature, missing pages, etc)If everything is correct, they will cash the checks and being to process the application.Throughout the application process, they may need additional evidence. For example, if your sponsor makes below 125 percent of the federal poverty line or if their financial affidavit is unclear, the USCIS may mail you a letter or Form I-797, a request for additional evidence (RFE). This is a normal part of the process and happens to many application, so don’t be worried. You should, however, take them very seriously. If you submit your RFE response packet incorrectly, your I-485 will be rejected and you will have to start over.Once the forms have all the required evidence, the applicant will be required to go to their local USICS office for the biometrics appointment. This is a short appointment where your fingerprints and photos will be taken.After this, you will have your interview. Here a USICS officer will give your I-485 one last looks. If all is well, they will approve your case, and you will get your green card shortly! Congrats!Note: Make sure to fill out your application correctly and accurately to avoid REFs and rejection. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to fill out the I-485.

Yes, any I-485 applicant is entitled to file I-765 to apply for an EAD and/or file I-131 to apply for Advance Parole, for free. And it is always recommended for an I-485 applicant to apply for these two to have the ability to work and/or travel in about 90 days in case the I-485 takes much longer (it can take up to a year or more in some cases).

The typical scenario for obtaining a green card from an H1B status involves a series of steps. It’s not really easy to pinpoint an exact timeline, but if you follow the steps then you’ll certainly simplify the process for yourself and ensure that your application is completed correctly.Keep in mind, only a sponsoring employer can apply for a green card on your behalf. As an employee, you will usually fall under the EB1, EB2, or EB3 categories. You should know which category you are in so that you can better understand which steps pertain to you.Step 1: PERM Labor CertificationIf you are an EB2 or EB3 employee then this is the first step in the process. The PERM labor certification includes prevailing wage determination, recruitment, and ETA From 9089.Step 2: Form I-40Once you have filed the ETA and that has been approved, then you must file the Form I-40. This form basically indicates that you are eligible for employment and that your employer has necessary funds and assets to pay necessary wages.Step 3: Form I-485This is the final form that the employer must fill out and is the process for filing for permanent residency and is referred to as the Adjustment of Status.Each step in the process is incredibly important. To ensure that your green card is processed as quickly as possible, it would be best to consult an immigration attorney.LawTrades would be happy to connect you with a skilled and affordable immigration attorney. We work with a variety of clients whose needs range considerably. Allow our attorneys to counsel you on the best options for your situation. We offer set rates and flexible scheduling to accommodate your needs. Feel free to take a look at our website to learn more.

If you have a B1/B2 visa, you can not just fill out a few forms and expect to work in the US. It doesn’t work like that. And which state you are in, doesn’t matter, as immigration is a federal government office.To work in the US you will need an immigrant visa, as in green card, or a dual intent visa, likes of H-1B. And you can not personally apply for one of these. Your prospective employer need to petition on your behalf. Just search quora or google about “how to work in USA” and you will find myriad of answers.

The purpose of Form 4852 is to substitute for the original W-2 if for some reason you didn't receive one and couldn't get one from an employer. If you have the original W-2, you don't file Form 4852.

Yes you can absolutely apply while he is here. The general start of the process is that you file form I-130 to apply for his permanent stay (start of the green card process), as well as form I-485 to adjust his status. The 485 will allow your spouse to stay with you in the country while he awaits a decision and still maintain a legal status. There is no risk to his legality, as long as the forms and accompanying evidence are received by USCIS before the last day that his visa allows him to be in the country.Entry stamps are usually for no more than 6 months in the country and USCIS generally takes about 2 to 3 weeks to process and send out a receipt. Subtract those days from his date to leave, and use that as your minimum safe timeline. Keep in mind that some forms may come with restrictions in travel and he may be stuck in one place for a while e.g. I-485s may take months to process and can be voided simply by leaving the country without getting special permission in advance.Note also: Messing up the timeline can mean he may have to return to the country of origin to maintain legal status and await a decision. That may literally be a separation of numerous months to several years. In some cases, visitor’s visa may be revoked or entry denied once you put in an immigrant petition for him.After you start the process, you may also have to file a myriad of other forms, including an affidavit of support, co-sponsor form, an immigrant visa application, an application for removal of conditions, unlawful presence waiver and so on, all of which come with their own fees. USCIS will usually direct you to what forms are next, once you have completed each stage of the application.The range of forms you may have to file will change depending on the specifics of your case and the complexity will vary based on a number of factors. The simplest of these are the number of years you have been married, your spouses immigration status, but may include any number of things that you have not reported in your very general question.My advice would be to seek the help of an immigration lawyer to navigate the process. It is something you could do by yourself. The process is tedious and requires attention to detail, but is manageable. However, under the latest Trump directive, immigration officers are now simply denying applications for minor errors or insufficient information. In the past, they used to request additional documentation before denying outright, but are no longer required to do so. That would mean an error would require you to resubmit an entirely new application (once allowed), and pay all the hundreds to thousands in cash again. It may even interrupt your spouses legal status and add years to the process.No petitions are guaranteed to be approved, so it is best to be thorough and careful and avoid even the appearance of impropriety. Best of luck to you both!Disclaimer: I am not even close to being an immigration lawyer. I just work with a diverse population and have helped clients navigate this process scores of times.

This is exactly why you need an immigration lawyer.I cannot answer your question without much more information.Green card applications are not a walk in the park, they are complicated and sensitive legal documents that can affect your ability • or your spouse and children’s ability- to live and work in the U.S.In fact, in June 2022. the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services estimated that it takes an average of 6.5  hours required to fill out the new Form I-485 for permanent residence.And you have to add supplements to the basic green card application form, which will add hours of your time to do it. If that’s a walk in the park, it’s more like a big game reserve in the wild.I meet many clients who try to fill out green card applications on their own before they realize how complicated the process can be, and reach out to get help from an immigration lawyer.Sometimes the delay of having to refile forms that were not correctly filled out in the first place can cost months of time away from a job, loved one, or family. While it is possible to download and file a green card application on your own, it can end up costing time, and causing errors that might ultimately affect your chances of getting permanent residency.But don’t take my word for it: even a do-it-yourself legal applications and forms website calls immigration law “notoriously, insanely complicated” and suggests that it is better to look for the best immigration attorney you can find, saying:“Even the simplest of U.S. immigration applications involves filling out some forms, and you will most likely be asked to follow some detailed instructions about gathering and including other paperwork and fees. Make a mistake, and you may find your application returned, delayed, or even rejected.Immigration lawyers have dealt with this paperwork countless times before you, and have both the knowledge and the streamlined systems to prepare the applications smoothly. They have computer programs in which they can enter your information and spit out the forms in an instant. Hiring a lawyer can be well worth it for the peace of mind alone.”Getting legal professional help from a top immigration attorney who can walk you through your green card application ensures that your form will be filled in properly the first time, without the worry. That’s not saying that complications still don’t arise, but with a top immigration law firm guiding the way, chances are you won’t be eaten by the wildlife while you are looking at the scenery.