Adjustment of Status Checklist

The Adjustment of Status checklist may come in handy when you are filing your green card application to become a permanent resident. Though you do not submit the checklist with your Form I-485, it is helpful for ensuring you include all the necessary information.

Adjustment of Status: Form I-485 Checklist

Many individuals and families wish to relocate to the United States, and following an accurate adjustment of status can improve the likelihood of ultimately obtaining citizenship. Although there are a few direct methods, the easiest way is to apply for a change of status once you have been admitted. Adjustment of Status is the term the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services USCIS uses when you move from visa status to lawful status and get a green card.

Since individual cases vary, an attorney from Tadeo & Silva Immigration Attorneys can be instrumental in deciding what option is best for your case when you submit a petition for a permit through immigration services.

If you are currently in the U.S. under a nonimmigrant visa status (e.g., H-1B, E-2, L-1, and so on), then you have the ability to submit an adjustment of status application to alter this nonimmigrant visa validity period status to immigrant status (permit). This is called “changing your status,” and an adjustment of the status can help.

Checklist of Documents Needed for Adjustment of Status Application

There are multiple docs and forms needed for adjustment of status when trying to obtain permanent resident status in the United States. In order to change your nonimmigrant status, you will need to submit a form I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status to USCIS (the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services), along with up-to-date and accurate supplementary documentation.

You also have to determine whether you are a principal applicant or derivative applicant since this terminology is used in the Adjustment of Status application. A principal applicant is the main or primary intending immigrant named on an immigrant petition.

The forms and additional docs required can be complex. It can also be easy to overlook or misunderstand some of the requirements. Hiring a qualified attorney is the simplest way to ensure that your application for adjustment of status contains all the necessary materials and information.

What Is Included With an AOS Checklist?

What documents are needed when completing an adjustment of status or AOS checklist? Much like with any immigration process, it helps to be totally prepared before submitting any forms.

Below is a list of documents you will likely require, but be sure to follow the most up-to-date instructions from USCIS or your immigration attorney.

• Form I-485
• Two photos of yourself (passport-style photographs) that adhere to the photo guidelines
• Your green card petition approval notice
• Copy of your birth certificate
• Your I-94 arrival/departure card
• The I-797 approval notice from your previous status
• Medical examination results if required (applicants may have to pass a medical examination conducted by a USCIS-approved doctor)
• Appropriate filing fee

A copy of your government-issued identity document may also be necessary.

If you are required to undergo a medical examination to obtain lawful permanent resident status, you’ll also include a copy of Form I-693 (Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record). A medical examination is important because, if you pass it, it shows you are not inadmissible to the U.S. on public health grounds.

Make sure you have included the required documents and fill out all relevant forms correctly. Also, if some of your original documents are in a foreign language, don’t forget to provide documents that are translated by an accredited translator.

Additional specifics may be required depending on your exact situation. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and double-check your information when you are completing this important application.

How Long Does It Take to Get Your I-485 Approved?

If you are wondering how long it takes to get I-485 approved, it can take approximately from 8 months to 14 months or longer. The important factor, however, is the basis of adjustment of status in question and whether it is a family-based, employment-based green card, or another type of immigration. You can always check your case status online or make a case inquiry.

Review Your AOS Interview Checklist

Since the interview is the final step, you may not even require an AOS interview checklist. In fact, USCIS may not even require an interview.

In addition to the aforementioned required documents, you will need to bring a copy of your appointment notification and originals of any supporting documents that you submitted to USCIS. It is also wise to hire a translator if you are still learning English, as misunderstandings can result in a denial. You may also want to look for an immigration attorney who is fluent in your native language. At Tadeo & Silva, our office staff and abogados de migracion en Atlanta are fluent in both English and Spanish.

The more accurate your initial documentation, the more likely the process will go smoothly for you.

AOS Checklists for Different Visa Types

The checklists vary for different visa types. Although the general requirements are the same, the additional documentation needed is specific to the method, which changes the checklist.

The U Visa Adjustment of Status – Includes the Following

The U visa checklist is beneficial for those holding nonimmigrant visas who have the following qualifications:

• Crime victim
• Assisted law enforcement for three years
• Continuously resided in the U.S. during that amount of time

To apply for a change of status, you need to include them along with your petition.

• Filing fee or a waiver request filed on Form I-912
• Form I-765
• Form I-130
• Form I-131
• Evidence of continuous physical presence in the U.S.
• Form I-918 Supplement B

It is helpful to provide supplement evidence that shows you have complied with any and all legal assistance requests. For this type of visa, you may want to consult with a criminal attorney as well as an immigration attorney since the areas of law intersect with a U Visa.