Last Updated: January 15, 2020.

‍

Thinking of making the United States your home? You’ll need a green card. Although the process can be rather long and seemingly complex, SimpleCitizen is here to help make the process as smooth and easy as possible. Having a U.S. green card, in this case, is not only necessary but offers many benefits that only lawful permanent residents have access to.

A few examples:

• The freedom to live and work in the U.S. permanently, including many forms of government work.
• Freedom of movement. Once you have a green card, you may travel to and live in any part of the United States, as well as travel outside of the U.S. and return upon will. However, if you remain abroad for six months or more per year, you could risk losing your green card.
• The ability to sponsor relatives. Once you have a green card, you can sponsor your relatives so that they can get their own green card.
• The ability to seek full U.S. citizenship. Once you have had your green card for five years (with a few exceptions – see Step 3 of How to Become a United States Citizen), you may qualify to apply for citizenship, which grants all the rights and privileges of a native U.S. citizen.
• Legal rights and social benefits, such as research and educational grants, insurance coverage, and social security, retirement, and health benefits. You can also own firearms, a house, cars, and other property in the U.S. and secure financing for such purchases.
• Permanent status. You will only need to renew your green card about every 10 years.

Adjustment of status is the process through which temporary visitors to the United States (such as students, tourists, etc.) can become lawful permanent residents (green card holders) without ever having to leave the U.S. (If you are outside of the United States, the only path to immigrate to the country is through consular processing). Below is a basic guide to walk you through each step of the process.

1. Determine if You are Eligible to Apply for a Green Card

To figure out if you can apply for adjustment of status, you must first determine if you are eligible for a green card. There are many ways to apply for a green card under U.S. immigration laws, but to be eligible you must fall under one of the categories listed below:

• Through family
• Through employment
• As a special immigrant
• Through refugee or asylee status
• As a human trafficking or crime victim
• As a victim of abuse
• Through registry
• Through other categories (found in the USCIS link below)

Take this quiz to find out if you are eligible to apply. The eligibility requirements may vary depending on the immigrant category you are applying under, so the first step is to figure out if you fit into one of these categories. Review the USCIS Green Card Eligibility Categories for details on the categories listed above and to determine which one fits your situation/experience. Once you know which category best fits you, in most cases, you will need to have an immigrant petition filed on your behalf. The form that will need to be filed varies depending on which category you are applying under and can also be found on the USCIS page in the hyperlink above.

2. Determine if You are Eligible for Adjustment of Status

Now you can determine if you can also apply for adjustment of status. The requirements, according to Section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, are as follows:

• Be physically present in the United States, including when you file the adjustment of status as well as complete the process.
• Have made lawful entry into the United States.
• Already be eligible for a U.S. green card through one of the conditions listed above, such as through a U.S. employer, a family member who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or by having received asylum or refugee status at least one year before.
• If your eligibility is based on family or employment, you must already have filed and had approved a visa petition (Form I-130 or Form I-140), and your priority date, if you have one, must be current. Priority dates apply to immigrants in “preference categories” who, because of annual limits on visas in those categories, must wait until a visa is available before proceeding with their green card application. (There are exceptions to this rule, such as for an “immediate relative,” where the visa petition can be filed concurrently or at the same time as the adjustment of status application).
• If you entered the U.S. on a K-1 fiancé visa, you must have married the person who petitioned for you to receive that visa.
• If your eligibility is based on asylum or refugee status, you must have waited one year since either your asylum was granted or you entered the United States as a recognized refugee.
• You must (with a few exceptions, such as for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens) have a valid and current visa when you start your application to adjust status. To be eligible you also must not have remained in the U.S. past the authorized length of your permitted stay, nor worked without permission from the immigration authorities.

Remember…

This is a complex area of immigration law. If you have any doubts about your eligibility to adjust status, consult with an immigration attorney to ensure that you fully understand the entire process and to obtain a full analysis of your rights and options.

3. File Application to Adjust Status

If you meet the eligibility requirements for adjustment of status, you may file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. For a comprehensive list of situations under which you could file Form I-485, read this article.

Where you file your Form I-485 depends on your eligibility category. Go to the Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status page to see where you should file your application. When filing, keep these tips in mind:

• Don’t forget to sign your form! USCIS will reject and return any unsigned form.
• Complete the entire form, and use the most current version.
• USCIS prefers that you download the forms from their website, complete them electronically, them print them to submit. If you handwrite your answers, make sure you use black ink and that they are neat and legible. If you make an error, start over with a clean form. Don’t use correction fluid or tape (i.e. wite-out).

Filing Form I-485 costs $1,140, and an additional biometrics services fee of $85 applies to all applicants between the ages of 14 and 78. However, for children 13 or younger who are filing with at least one parent, there is a reduced $750 fee, and if you are applying as a refugee under section 209(a) of the INA, there is no fee to file Form I-485.

No matter the amount of your fee, you must pay by check or money order and follow these criteria:

• The money must come from a bank or other financial institution in the United States and be payable in U.S. currency.
• The check or money order must be made payable to: U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It is important to write it exactly this way, without abbreviating.

How much does it cost to submit Form I-485?

4. Attend Biometrics Appointment

After you file your Form I-485, USCIS will mail you an appointment notification for a biometric screening at a local Application Support Center (ASC). The notice will include the date, time, and location of the appointment. Here you will provide your fingerprints, signature, and a photograph will be taken of you. USCIS uses this data to verify your identity and conduct required background and security checks. Don’t worry – this is all common procedure and an important part of adjusting status. Read this short article for more information on what to expect from your biometrics appointment.

At your ASC appointment, you will also be asked to sign an acknowledgment that you have reviewed all of the information in your application and that it was all complete, true, and correct at the time you filed it. If you do not sign the acknowledgment or you miss your ASC appointment without properly notifying and rescheduling USCIS, your Form I-485 may be denied.

Depending on what immigrant category you filed your adjustment of status under, an interview may be necessary. If USCIS schedules you for an interview, they will send you a notice with the corresponding date, time, and location. This is a fairly quick meeting, usually lasting only 20-30 minutes. If a relative is required to accompany you to the interview (for example, the family member that filed the immigration petition for you), you will likewise be informed in the notice USCIS mails you. Here, a USCIS official will confirm that confirm the information you and your petitioner have provided on the petition and your application for adjustment of status is correct. Make sure you bring originals of all the documents you submitted with your Form I-485, such as passports, official travel documents, and Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, even if they have expired.

The entire adjustment of status process usually takes between 8 and 14 months. For a complete timeline, read What Happens After Filing Form I-485.

5. Receive Your Green Card

After all the paperwork and security checks have been completed, biometrics have been taken, interviews have been conducted (if necessary), and all other eligibility requirements have been reviewed, USCIS is ready to make a decision on your case! Regardless of the outcome, you will receive a written decision notice from USCIS. If your application is approved, you will first receive an approval notice by mail. Then, usually a little bit later, you will receive your green card. Congratulations! You are now a lawful permanent resident of the United States!

‍

Para inglés, haga clic aquí.

Estados Unidos tiene un largo y orgulloso historial de acogimiento e integración de inmigrantes. El número de personas que han obtenido la residencia legal permanente en los Estados Unidos anualmente se ha mantenido en alrededor de 1 millón, durante los últimos años, según el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional la Oficina de Estadísticas de Inmigración. Si quiere ser uno de ellos, esta guía es para usted. Lo guiaremos por todo el proceso de la Green Card de principio a fin.

Ways To Apply for a Green Card

Fill Out On a Computer

Download and edit forms in a PDF viewer.

Download PDF

SimpleCitizen’s Application Builder

All forms are included with SimpleCitizen.

Get Started
*Includes Attorney Review

Print & Fill Out Paper Forms

Print the PDF and fill by hand with black pen.

Print PDF

Hire a Legal Professional

Find a legal professional to complete the forms.

Visit AILA.com

¿Qué es una “Green Card”?

Cuando a un inmigrante se le concede la condición de residente permanente legal en los Estados Unidos, esto también es conocido como “obtener una Green Card.” Esto significa que ha sido autorizado a vivir y trabajar en este país de manera permanente.

Como prueba de ello, el gobierno de los EE.UU. requiere que lleve consigo su tarjeta de residente permanente, comúnmente conocida como green card (o la tarjeta verde, cuando se emitió inicialmente hace años y desde entonces ha pasado por numerosos rediseños y cambios de color, y actualemte son de color verde nuevamente).

Además del derecho a vivir y trabajar en los Estados Unidos permanentemente, hay muchos otros beneficios de obtener una tarjeta verde:

• Patrocinar a familiars directos para que soliciten sus propias Green Cards.
  
• Viajar fuera de los Estados Unidos y regresar sin alterar su estado migratorio.
• Una vez que usted haya tenido su Green Card por cinco años, puede solicitar la ciudadanía estadounidense.
• Ser elegible para recibir los beneficios de la Seguridad Social después de 10 años de trabajo.
• Calificar para el descuento estatal en estudios universitarios.

¿Cómo convertirse en un residente permanente (portador de Green
Card)?

Are you eligible to apply for a Green Card?

Take the Quiz

Hay algunas maneras diferentes en que puede convertirse en portador de una Green Card:

• Ser patrocinado por un familiar que sea ciudadano o residente permanente de los Estados Unidos.
• El patrocinio recibido por una oferta de empleo permanente en los Estados Unidos o a través de la creación de su propia empresa.
• Mediante la obtención del estado de refugiado o asilo, o a través de algún otro programa humanitario.

Además, en algunos casos, usted puede aplicar por usted mismo, proceso también conocido como solicitar una Green Card a través de la auto-petición.

Averigüe si usted es elegible para aplicar

Para calificar para una Green Card, debe cumplir los siguientes requisitos:

1. Debe pertenecer a una de las categorías de inmigrantes establecidos por la Ley de Inmigración y Nacionalidad (INA)
2. Usted debe tener una petición de inmigración calificable y aprobada (con pocas excepciones)
3. Debe haber una visa de inmigrante inmediatamente disponible para usted
4. Usted debe ser admisible en los Estados Unidos

1. Categorías de Inmigrante Disponibles

• a. Basadas en familia
• b. Trabajo o empleo
• c. Estatus de refugiado o de asilo político

Importante: algunos solicitantes pueden aplicar a través de varias categorías a la vez. Conocida como la presentación simultánea del formulario I-485, Solicitud para registrar residencia permanente o ajuste de estatus, visite el sitio web de USCIS para ver si usted califica para presentar simultáneamente.

a. ¿Quién es elegible para la categoría basada en la familia?

Usted puede calificar para una Green Card si su(s) familar(es)son:

• Un pariente inmediato de un ciudadano americano: Esto incluye a los cónyuges, hijos solteros menores de 21 años, y padres de ciudadanos estadounidenses de 21 años o mayores.
• Otro miembro de la familia de un ciudadano de los EE.UU.:
  Esto incluye a los hijos solteros mayores de 21 años, hijo(s) casados de cualquier edad, y los hermanos y hermanas de ciudadanos estadounidenses de 21 años o mayores.
• Un miembro de la familia de un residente permanente legal: Esto incluye a los cónyuges e hijos solteros del patrocinador residente permanente legal.

Además de las categorías anteriores, siendo un miembro de otra categoría especial puede calificar para obtener una tarjeta verde basada en la familia. Estos incluyen a:

• Esposo(a) o niño(a) maltratados
• Un no-inmigrante de visa K
• Una persona nacida de un diplomático extranjero en los Estados Unidos
• Un no-inmigrante de visa V
• Viudo(a) de un ciudadano norteamericano

Nota importante: hay un orden de preferencia para las personas que desean inmigrar a los Estados Unidos basadas en la familia. Primera Preferencia va a la primera de las categorías mencionadas anteriormente, familiares inmediatos de un ciudadano estadounidense. Para ver completo el orden de preferencia para los miembros de la familia, visite el sitio web de USCIS.

b. ¿Quién es elegible para la categoría basada en empleo?

Usted puede calificar para un green card en base a una oferta de trabajo o sus planes de invertir en la economía de los Estados Unidos y crear puestos de trabajo. La categoría basada en empleo incluye:

Green Card a través de una oferta de trabajo: Esto también se conoce como el patrocinio a través de un empleador – en otras palabras, cuando un empleador patrocina una
Green Card a través de la inversión o emprendimiento. Los inversores inmigrantes/empresarios que están invirtiendo en un negocio basado en EE.UU. – que crea nuevos empleos en Estados Unidos pueden ser elegibles para recibir una Green Card.

Green Card a través de categorías especiales de trabajos: Usted puede ser capaz de obtener una tarjeta de residencia por trabajar o haber trabajado en una de las siguientes categorías especiales establecidos por el gobierno de los EE.UU.:

• Traductor de Afgano/Iraquí
• Miembro de las fuerzas armadas
• Radiodifusor
• Empleado de una organización internacional
• Ciudadano Iraquí que brindó ayuda al gobierno de los Estados Unidos
• Ciudadano Afgano que brindó ayuda al gobierno de los Estados Unidos
• OTAN-6 no-inmigrante
• Empleado del canal de Panamá
• Médico de categoría NIW
• Trabajador religioso

Nota importante: también hay un orden de preferencia para las personas que desean inmigrar a los Estados Unidos por empleo. Primera Preferencia va a “trabajadores prioritarios”, incluyendo profesores e investigadores excepcionales y otras personas con habilidades extraordinarias. Para ver completo el orden de preferencia para los trabajadores, visite el sitio web de USCIS.

c. ¿Quién es elegible para la categoría de refugiados o solicitantes de asilo?

Usted puede ser capaz de obtener una Green Card a través de su condición de refugiado o asilado. .

• Si es un refugiado, la ley requiere que usted solicite su Green Card dentro de un año de haber ingresado a los EE.UU.
• Si se le ha concedido asilo político en los Estados Unidos, la ley requiere que usted solicite su Green Card dentro de 1 año de haber obtenido el asilo

2. ¿Quién es elegible para la petición de inmigrante?

Si usted pertenece a una de las categorías antes mencionadas, su petición deberá ser presentada en su nombre (usted como beneficiario). La petición establece el fundamento para la inmigración y la clasificación o categoría a la que pertenece.

• Para las personas que inmigran en base a la familia, el peticionario deberá presentar
  el Formulario I-130, Petición Para Familiar Extranjero
• Para las personas que inmigran por empleo, el peticionario deberá presentarel Formulario I-140, Petición de Inmigrante Para Trabajador Extranjero

Hay dos excepciones al requisito de petición:

• Como se mencionó anteriormente, un número limitado de inmigrantes pueden aplicar a la auto-petición
• La mayoría de las personas que inmigran basándose en estado de refugiados o solicitantes de asilo, están exentos del requisito de petición

3. Disponibilidad de visas

El tercer factor es la elegibilidad: debe existir una visa de inmigrante disponible para usted. Con la excepción de familiares inmediatos de ciudadanos estadounidenses – para quienes siempre están disponibles, existen límites en el número de visas de inmigrantes que el Congreso otorga cada año.

Además, hay prioridades y preferencias para conceder los visados. Visite el sitio web del Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos para informarse sobre el orden de preferencia de las visas de inmigrantes basadas en la familia y el número de visas que se otorgarán en cada categoría para este año fiscal.

4. Admisibilidad a los Estados Unidos

Todos los que deseen obtener una visa de inmigrante (y solicitar cualquier ajuste de estatus) deben demostrar que son elegibles para la admisión a los Estados Unidos.

¿Qué haría alguien inadmisible? Los motivos de inadmisibilidad son establecidos por el Congreso y son particulares de la categoría bajo la que emigraban. Estos factores incluyen:

• Razones financieras. El familiar que patrocina debe ser capaz de apoyarle financieramente, para asegurar que usted no va a depender de la asistencia pública.
• Razones relacionadas con la salud. No puede tener una enfermedad que lo convierta en un riesgo para la salud pública, ni puede tener un trastorno físico o mental peligroso.
• Historial migratorio. Si alguna vez ha entrado a los Estados Unidos ilegalmente o ha permanecido ilegalmente durante 6 meses o más después de que su visa ha expirado, puede ser considerado inadmisible.
• Antecedentes penales. Los solicitantes que hayan sido acusados o condenados por ciertos delitos, como delitos que involucran violencia, delitos relacionados con drogas y/o terrorismo, pueden ser considerados inadmisibles.

Si usted ha sido considerado inadmisible en los EE.UU., puede solicitar la exención por ciertos motivos de inadmisibilidad. Esta es una renuncia solicitada utilizando el formulario I-601, Solicitud de Renuncia de la Causa de Inadmisibilidad.

¿Existen programas especiales de inmigración?

Aunque la mayoría de los inmigrantes vienen a vivir permanentemente en los EE.UU. a través de un miembro de la familia o el patrocinio del empleador, hay otras maneras de obtener la Green Card. Algunos de estos programas incluyen: inmigrantes especiales:

• El Programa de Diversidad de Visas de Inmigrante. Administrado por el Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos y conocido como el “green card lottery”, este programa otorga hasta 50.000 visas de inmigrante al año para personas de países con bajas tasas de inmigración a los EE.UU. Los beneficiarios son seleccionados en un sorteo al azar.
• Viudo(a) de un ciudadano de los EE.UU. (y algunas otras categorías de viudo(a)s). Si están casados con un ciudadano estadounidense en el momento de la muerte del ciudadano, usted puede ser elegible para una Green Card. Además, un viudo(a) con o sin una petición pendiente o aprobado de inmigrante y un viudo(a) de un miembro militar estadounidense también pueden ser elegibles.
• La Acta de Equidad Familiar de inmigración legal (LIFE). Bajo esta ley, ciertas personas que se encuentran en este país en circunstancias que normalmente les impiden obtener una tarjeta verde, puede ser concedida.
• Estados especiales de menores inmigrantes. Este programa ayuda a los niños extranjeros que han sido abusados, abandonados o descuidados, durante su estancia en los EE.UU.
• Green Card para un niño(a) amerasiáticos de un ciudadano estadounidense. En virtud de este programa, las personas engendradas por un ciudadano estadounidense nacido en Corea, Vietnam, Laos, Kampuchea (Camboya), o Tailandia entre el 1 de enero de 1951 y el 21 de octubre de 1982, podrán obtener una tarjeta verde.

Visite el sitio web de USCIS para obtener una lista completa de programas especiales de green card.

¿Qué pasa si no soy elegible para nada? ¿Y ahora qué?

Si desea averiguar para qué opciones puede ser elegible, puede ver esta lista de nuestras organizaciones favoritas sin fines de lucro que pueden ayudarle. . También le ofrecemos la opción de Establecer una consulta con un abogado de inmigración

Llenar y enviar al gobierno (USCIS) los formularios correspondientes a su categoría.

Ahora que usted está familiarizado con los requisitos para obtener una Green Card y las condiciones bajo las cuales puede calificar, el resto de esta guía está dedicado al proceso de aplicación.

A continuación, se muestra una lista de los formularios USCIS relacionados con la Green Card. Encuentre los formularios que coincidan con su categoría y llénelos según las instrucciones. Es muy importante comprobar que haya llenado todos los formularios necesarios correspondientes a su situación particular.

Aspectos importantes a recordar:

• ¡Usted debe firmar los formularios! El USCIS rechazará la solicitud si los formularios se presentan sin su firma.
• Pruebas: Sólo envíe copias de sus documentos (también conocido como evidencia) al enviar los formularios, salvo que el USCIS haya pedido concretamente los documentos originales. Si usted presenta originales cuando no es requerido, sus documentos originales pueden ser destruidos o jamás devueltos.
• Notificación Electrónica: Si envía su aplicación al lockbox en Chicago, Phoenix, o Lewisville, Texas, usted puede solicitar recibir un mensaje por correo electrónico y/o texto cuando su solicitud sea aceptada. Para solicitar este archivo, Formulario G-1145.
• Actualizaciones de estado: Después de enviar la solicitud, asegúrese de mantenerse actualizado acerca de su caso a través de nuestro Checador de estado de USCIS.

Formularios para residencia legal/Green Card

Formulario G-325A | Información biográfica

Formulario I-90 | Solicitud para reemplazar la tarjeta de residente permanente

Formulario I-129F | Petición de para novio(a) extranjero(a)

Formulario I-130 | Petición para Pariente Extranjero

Formulario I-131 | Solicitud de documento de viaje

Formulario I-140 | Petición de inmigrante para trabajador extranjero

Formulario I-191 | Solicitud de medidas cautelares en virtud de la antigua Sección 212(c) de la Ley de Inmigración y Nacionalidad (INA)

Formulario I-360 | Petición de viudo(a) amerasiáticos,

Formulario I-485 de inmigrantes especiales | Solicitud de registro de residencia permanente o ajuste de estatus

Formulario I-485 suplemento A | un suplemento al formulario I-485, Ajuste de Estatus bajo la Sección 245(i)

Formulario I-485 suplemento J | Confirmación de bona fide de oferta de trabajo o solicitud de portabilidad de trabajo bajo INA Sección 204(j) el

Formulario I-508 | Solicitud de renuncia a ciertos derechos, privilegios, exenciones e inmunidades

Formulario I-508F | Solicitud de renuncia de derechos, privilegios, exenciones e inmunidades de los ciudadanos franceses

Formulario I-526 | Petición de Inmigración Empresario Inmigrante

Formulario I-566 | Registro interagencial de Petición – A, G o autorización de empleo dependiente de la OTAN o de cambio/ajuste a/desde un estado de la OTAN, G.

Formulario I-589 | Solicitud de asilo y para retención de extracción

Formulario I-601 | Solicitud de renuncia de motivos de inadmisibilidad

Formulario I-602 | Solicitud de renuncia de refugiados

Formulario I-612 | Solicitud de dispensa del requisito de residencia de extranjeros (bajo la Sección 212(e) de la Ley de Inmigración y Nacionalidad, en su forma enmendada)

Formulario I-643 | Status de Salud y Servicios Humanos y datos estadísticos de refugiado/asilado/a>

Formulario I-693 | Informe de examen médico y de vacunación

Formulario I-730 | Petición relativa a refugiado/asilado

Formulario I-751 | Petición para Eliminar las Condiciones de Residencia

Formulario I-765 | Solicitud de Autorización de Empleo

Formulario I-824 | Solicitud de acción sobre una aplicación autorizada o Petición

Formulario de petición I-829 | Petición por el empresario para remover las condiciones sobre la condición de residente permanente

Formulario I-854 | testigo extranjero Interinstitucional e Informante Registro

Formulario I-864 | Declaración Jurada de Apoyo Económico Bajo la Sección 213A de la Ley de Inmigración y Naturalización

Formulario I-864A | Contrato Entre el Patrocinador y Miembro del Hogar

Formulario I-864EZ | Declaración Jurada de Apoyo Económico bajo la Sección 213A de la Ley de Inmigración y Naturalización

Formulario I-864P | Guías de Pobreza del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos para Declaración Jurada de Patrocinio Económico

Formulario I-864W | Solicitud de Exención para el Futuro Inmigrante Declaración Jurada de Apoyo Económico bajo la Sección 213A de la Ley de Inmigración y Naturalización

Formulario I-914 | Solicitud de Estatus de no-inmigrante T

Formulario I-918 | Solicitud de Estatus de no-inmigrante U

Formulario I-929 | Petición para la calificación de un miembro de la familia U-1 de No Inmigrante

Wow, esto es confuso, ¿hay otra manera más fácil?

Si todo lo anterior parece confuso, es porque realmente lo es. Sin embargo, nuestra solución no sólo es fácil de usar, sino que también es una fracción del costo de contratar a un abogado de inmigración. Haga clic aquí para construir su propia aplicación de Green Card en línea con SimpleCitizen.

>>Lea el artículo en WIRED: SimpleCitizen, un TurboTax de inmigración, le permite saltar los honorarios legales<<

¿Qué es SimpleCitizen?

SimpleCitizen online es una solución de software que permite a los inmigrantes a alcanzar su sueño americano mientras ahorra millones de dólares en honorarios legales innecesarios.

Cómo funciona: SimpleCitizen es un asistente paso a paso que pide a los solicitantes todas la información necesaria para completar sus trámites de inmigración. Al finalizar, los usuarios imprimen el formulario completado y lo envían por correo a USCIS. Todo esto se hace a través de la plataforma, sin los altos costos de un paralegal o abogado de inmigración.

>>Lea el artículo en TechCrunch: Obtener un Green Card con SimpleCitizen es más sencillo

‍

Presentar la solicitud por su propia cuenta vs. contratar un abogado vs. utilizar SimpleCitizen.

Cuando se presenta solicitud por cuenta propia. usted puede ir a través de todo el proceso de inmigración sin contratar a un abogado o pagar algo distinto a la presentación de las tarifas del gobierno asociadas con los formularios. Todos los formularios están disponibles de forma gratuita en el sitio web de USCIS, como son las instrucciones. Definitivamente esta es la opción más barata, pero puede no ser la más fácil o la más inteligente.

El Proceso de la Green Card es sumamente complejo y difícil, y a menudo está plagado de dudas por aquellos solicitantes que realizan el proceso solos. ¿Envío todas las formas juntas? ¿ ¿Será la manera correcta de llenarlas? Cuál es la regla para esta situación, o los requisitos? ¿Qué pasa si usted tiene preguntas – ¿a quién preguntar? Si presenta su aplicación al gobierno por su propia cuenta usted puede que no cuente con una ruta directa a una Green Card, especialmente si usted tiene circunstancias que podrían hacer que usted sea inadmisible a los EE.UU.

Cuando usted contrata a un abogado. La contratación de un abogado no es obligatoria por ley, pero pueden ser de gran ayuda, especialmente si usted tiene una situación que es complicada. Es reconfortante tener un abogado profesional de inmigración quien le guiará por el proceso. Todas las conjeturas y dudas que están presentes cuando presente su aplicación no serán problema si contrata un abogado.

La desventaja es que los abogados de inmigración son caros – hasta $300 o más por una hora. Si tiene a un abogado que le guíe a través del proceso de solicitud de Green Card, seguramente esto representa miles de dólares en honorarios legales por encima de los honorarios que tiene que pagar al gobierno por aplicar. Esta es una opción muy costosa para un proceso que no es barato para empezar.

Cuando utiliza SimpleCitizen. . SimpleCitizen es la perfecta solución. No pase horas tratando de descifrar todo el proceso de solicitud de Green Card por su cuenta, y tampoco tiene que gastar miles de dólares en contratar un abogado. Nuestro software le guiará a través de la aplicación en línea, y usted puede incluso tener su papelería revisada por uno de nuestros profesionales abogados de inmigración. Lo guiaremos a través de cada paso de la preparación de su aplicación – y cuando termine, incluso lo imprimimos y enviamos por correo a usted para incluir las firmas y los pagos al gobierno.

Con SimpleCitizen, tiene ayuda para completar todos los formularios y navegar en este proceso largo y confuso, pero sin los altos honorarios de abogado.

Sabe: Si usa SimpleCitizen y USCIS rechaza su solicitud, le reembolsaremos el 100% de las tarifas del gobierno.

Historias de éxito con SimpleCitizen

Ha & Mickey: “El sitio web y la interfaz de usuario hace que sea muy fácil para cualquier persona el llenar sus papeles con éxito. SimpleCitizen se ha diseñado de manera que puede terminar rápidamente todo el papeleo que necesita, comenzando por contestando toda la información en los campos especificados en cuestionarios. ¡Lo que es más importante, SimpleCitizen me envió por correo mi paquete con todos los formularios completados en el orden correcto, dejándome con el paso más fácil de todos – enviarlo a la oficina de la USCIS!”.

Olivia & Nick: “Yo no tenía idea de cómo empezar, pero SimpleCitizen caminó conmigo a través de todo el proceso y una semana más tarde mi aplicación llegó a mi casa con todo listo. Todo lo que tuve que hacer fue firmarlo y enviarlo al gobierno. Tengo un montón de amigos y familiares, y yo siempre recomiendo SimpleCitizen a ellos. ¡Gran servicio!”.

Claudia: “SimpleCitizen hizo el proceso de solicitud de Green Card más fácil y más barato para mí. SimpleCitizen hizo lo que hubiera un sido proceso muy estresante y muy costoso de una manera fácil y rápida. Estoy agradecido por su plataforma única y amable servicio al cliente. Voy a recomendar sus servicios a mis amigos y a mi familia. ¡Gracias SimpleCitizen!”

>> Lea muchas más historias de éxito aquí

Inscríbase para SimpleCitizen hoy y elimine las confusiones y dificultades del proceso de la Green Card.

No tiene que intentar navegar por el proceso green card usted mismo, y no tiene que pagar los excesivos honorarios del abogado. SimpleCitizen es amigable, el software es intuitive y le guiará a través de la aplicación de la Green Card. Solicitar una Green Card en la fracción del costo de utilizar de un abogado – con toda la comodidad de tener una guía en el camino. Su sueño americano le aguarda, y SimpleCitizen puede ayudar a lograrlo.

‍

What is Form I-485?

Last Updated: Dec 5, 2024

Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, is used to either register for permanent legal residence in the United States or adjust to permanent resident status. Adjusting to permanent resident status simply means obtaining a green card (i.e., permanent legal residency) without returning to your home country if you’re already in the United States. 

For family-based and employment-based green card applications, Form I-485 is the second step in becoming a permanent resident, and other forms will either have already been filed or will be filed along with Form I-485. 

When to file Form I-485:

When to file Form I-485 will vary depending on how the individual is eligible for the adjustment of status. Let's look at some of the common situations SimpleCitizen helps with.

Family-Based Applications:

Entered the US on a Fiancé(e) Visa (K Visa): Once the couple has been married after entering on the K visa, they are eligible to file Form I-485 for K-1 visa holders and any K-2 dependents also in the US.
‍Immediate Relatives of US citizens: If the relative is considered an immediate relative of a U.S. Citizen (spouses of citizens, unmarried children (under age 21) of citizens, and parents of citizens 21 years of age or older), they may be eligible to file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, at the same time as the Form I-130.
Non-Immediate Relatives: Any other eligible family-based applications will file Form I-130 and wait for the visa bulletin to indicate their priority date has been reached and that they can continue. At that point, they can file Form I-485.

Employment-Based Applications: 

Employment-based applicants will file Form  I-140 and wait for the visa bulletin to indicate their priority date has been reached and that they can continue. At that point, they will be able to file the Form I-485.

Connected Forms

USCIS has several forms connected to Form I-485, some of which are required and some of which are optional. Here are some of the commonly connected forms:

As mentioned above, at times, Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, and Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, will be filed at the same time as Form I-130.

Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record: Form I-693 is typically a required form. If you are required to submit a complete or partially completed I-693, it MUST be filed concurrently with Form I-485. As of Dec 2, 2024, this form can no longer be submitted to USCIS after submitting Form I-485.

Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, is the application to request employment authorization along with the adjustment of status application. This form is optional. 

Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, is the application to request advance parole along with the adjustment of status application. This form is optional.

Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA, is the form for financial sponsorship. For family-based applications, this is a required form. For some other applications, such as DV lottery-based, employment-based, and asylum-based applications, form I-864 is typically not required (though there may be exceptions).

Form I-485 Supplement J, ​​Confirmation of Bona Fide Job Offer or Request for Job Portability Under INA Section 204(j), is required for some employment-based applications. Below you will find additional USCIS information on the use of this supplement. 

We’re happy you’re here!

SimpleCitizen is here to help you achieve the American dream. Safely and accurately apply, submit, & stay on top of your immigration status. Let SimpleCitizen guide you through filing Form I-485 and other connected forms. With our easy-to-use platform and expert guidance, filing Form I-485 has never been simpler. Check your eligibility to Form I-485 with SimpleCitizen.

Learn more about what we do, our application assistance timeline, and what customers say about SimpleCitizen’s services.

Do you have a question about SimpleCitizen’s application packages? Let’s chat!

Connected Articles: 

What is Form I-485 Used For?

Who May File Form I-485?

What Evidence Must You Provide With Form I-485?

Understanding the Different Paths to Permanent Residency for Marriage-Based Applications

Last Updated: March 11, 2025.

‍

Introduction

Some H-1B Temporary (nonimmigrant) Workers who are applying for an adjustment of status to become Permanent Residents may choose to apply for a Work and Travel permit during the interim period while their application is being processed.

Some, however, do not. You will need to determine which option is best for you. This article is meant to help you better understand the difference between an H-1B visa and a Work and Travel Permit as well as lay-out some of the pros and cons associated with each of them! 

Most companies start the permanent residency (green card) process for their employees after 6 – 12 months of employment through an Adjustment of Status. This also applies to H-1B Visa holders applying for a Family-Based Adjustment of Status, not just Employment-Based. The permanent residency process is expensive. However, because most nonimmigrant visas have strict time limits, companies that hire foreign talent can only keep those employees long term if they sponsor them for a green card. For more detailed instructions on how to apply for Permanent Residency (green card) as a current H-1B Visa holder, check out Step 2 in our article The Ultimate H-1B Visa Guide: How to Hire International Employees. 

It is important to note that your H-1B visa is STILL valid even if you apply for a Work and Travel Permit as long as you continue to meet all the requirements of your H-1B Visa. Because of this, having both Visas grants you the benefits of both. However, if you travel or change employers or update your work authorization with your current employer using your Work and Travel Permit, you will no longer be able to use your H-1B Visa as you will be considered to be under Adjustment of Status rather than an H-1B visa holder. 

Pros and Cons Summary 

Here is a table that summarizes the main differences between an H-1B renewal and a Work and Travel Permit. Information listed here is expanded upon in greater detail below. 

H-1B vs. Work and Travel Permit Overview 

‍

Understanding the H-1B Visa

In order to decide whether or not you should apply for a Work and Travel Permit while your application for Permanent Residency is being processed, you will need to understand how it differs from simply staying with your current H-1B Visa, or renewing your H-1B visa. 

First, let’s review the details of the H-1B visa, how your status is impacted when you apply for an Adjustment of Status (I-485), and how to apply for renewal. This information is meant to serve as a brief summary since you have likely already gone through the H-1B application process at least once before. For more detailed information about the H-1B Visa and how to apply, check out our articles Top 10 Most Common H-1B Visa Questions and The Ultimate H-1B Visa Guide: How to Hire International Employees. 

How long can I stay in the U.S. with an H-1B visa?

H-1B visas are usually valid for three years. USCIS can limit the duration of the visa according to the information your employer provides in the H-1B application. For example, if an employer cannot prove that the applicant is more likely than not needed for the full three year period, USCIS may issue the visa for less than three years. You may file to renew your H-1B visa for up to an additional three years. There are, however, some exceptions to this 6-year limit.  For example, there are ways to recapture days the employee was outside of the United States which allows them to ensure every day of the six years is utilized. 

Employment

The H-1B visa is employer specific, which means that it is only valid while you are employed by your original petitioner (employer). Additionally, you do not want to get caught in a situation where your H-1B expires before your green card is granted. If that happens, you will not be able to legally work in the United States until you either receive your green card, renew your H-1b, or are granted a Work and Travel Permit. While there is the option to renew, some applicants choose to apply for a Work and Travel Permit as it is not employment-specific. 

How H-1B temporary (non-immigrant) worker status is affected when applying for an Adjustment of Status (I-485)

If you entered the U.S. on an H-1B visa, you may continue to work on that visa as long as it remains valid and you follow all stipulations pertaining to that visa. This means working for the same employer and abiding by the time limits placed on your visa. Make sure you plan ahead and extend your visa or apply for a Work and Travel Permit if you are worried your H-1B work authorization will expire before a decision has been made on your Adjustment of Status application (I-485).

To learn more about how a green card application affects your H-1B Visa status, check out our article here. 

Extending an H-1B Visa

Whether you are applying for the first time or renewing/extending your H-1B visa, the application process is quite similar. As with your initial application, your employer will need to submit form I-129 on your behalf along with all the necessary documents. 

The employer can file Form I-129 no more than 6 months before the start date of the employment. The same applies for H-1B extensions that are filed using Form I-129. You can apply for a renewal no more than 6 months before your current H-1B is due to expire. 

Fill-out and submit Form 1-129

To begin the petition process the employer must:

• Complete and sign Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker.
• Refer to Form I-129 instructions for further details.
• Include the appropriate filing fee with the petition (including the biometrics fee if applicable).

Collect the necessary documents to show your eligibility.

How much does it cost to submit an H-1B visa Extension

There is a $460 base filing fee for an H-1B petition extension. However, with the additional costs factored in, the renewal cost is almost the same as the initial application cost, averaging at about $3,000. However, these fees are almost always paid for by the employer. 

Do not worry about the cap when applying for a renewal of your H-1B as it does not apply to renewals.

Understanding the Work and Travel Permit

H-1B visa-holders applying for an Adjustment of Status (I-485) may choose to also apply for a Work and Travel Permit. This is optional, but has unique benefits. First, however, it’s important to understand what the Work and Travel Permit is and how to apply.  

Recently USCIS started issuing employment and travel authorization on a single card for certain applicants attempting to adjust their status by filing an Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485). This card serves as both an Employment Authorization (EAD) (Form I-765) and Advance Parole (Form I-131) document. This card looks similar to an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) but includes a text that reads “Serves as I-512 Advance Parole”. This combo card is a Work and Travel Permit. 

Not only is this new card more durable and secure, it also eliminates the need for applicants to carry around two separate cards. As someone applying for an Employment-Based Adjustment of Status you are eligible for this combo card. For more information, you can find USCIS’ answers to frequently-asked questions pertaining to this card here. 

Before we dive into the application process, let’s learn about the two primary components of this card: Employment Authorization and Advance Parole:

What is Advance Parole?

Advance parole is permission for an immigrant to enter the United States for a specific purpose. A “paroled” individual remains an “applicant for admission” and they can continue filing for a different immigration status.

Receiving this card does not guarantee your re-entry into the United States if you travel. Learn more about How to Travel After Submitting Form I-131 here. 

This card authorizes parole, not admission, to the US. Parole is not an admission or “entry”. Rather, it allows you to leave the United States without your Adjustment of Status application being deemed “abandoned”. Upon arriving at a port-of-entry into the United States, present your Work and Travel Permit to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer to request parole. If parole is granted, you will be permitted to return to the U.S. as a parolee. 

What is Employment Authorization? 

Employment authorization is when USCIS gives temporary authorization for employment to non-citizens. Immigrants can use Form I-765 to request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). This document grants the non-citizen temporary employment authorization in the United States. Applying for Employment Authorization while waiting for your Adjustment of Status application to be processed is optional for H-1B Visa holders. 

Unlike your H-1B Visa, Employment Authorization granted via Form I-765 is not job specific. In other words, it is not tied to a certain employer or position. In this respect, Employment Authorization granted via Form I-765 is more flexible in terms of where you can work and when. Additionally, because it is not dependent on a specific employer, you can change jobs or lose employment without losing your legal status or having to reapply for a new Visa. 

How to Apply for a Work and Travel Permit

In order to get the combo Work and Travel permit, you must file an Application for Employment Authorization, Form I-765, and an Application for Travel Document, Form I-131, concurrently. These can be filed with or after filing and Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (I-485). Please ensure that you enter your name and address identically on Forms I-765 and I-131.

Note that you will receive an EAD without permission to travel if you do not request Advance Parole or if your Form I-765 is approved but your Form I-131 is denied. 

You must file the Forms I-765 and I-131 at the same time in order to receive an EAD and Advance Parole (Combo) card. Otherwise, you will receive two separate cards that you must carry with you.

For more information on how to file Form I-131, read our article Form I-131 Application for Travel: Everything You Need to Know.  For our Step-by-Step guide to Form I-765 (EAD), check out this article.

‍

Understanding the specifics of the Work and Travel Permit

Cost of the Work and Travel Permit

As mentioned previously, when Form I-131 and I-765 are filed concurrently with an application for an Adjustment of Status (I-485), the filing fees for Form I-765 is reduced. In this case, Form I-765 has a fee of $260 and Form I-131 has a filing fee of $630.

USCIS fees do change sometimes. You can check the updated amounts here and here or call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

Estimated Wait Time for Work and Travel Permit Applications

USCIS is currently taking 6-8 months to process and approve the combo card.  Sometimes, they process these forms separately, and generally, Form I-765 is processed faster than Form I-131. Wait times can differ between offices, so be sure to look up the average wait times for your specific office. You can do that here. While it can be frustrating to wait that long to receive work authorization, these processing times are shorter than the current green card wait times and are meant to make the wait time for the green card a little easier.

Duration of Work and Travel permit

Work and Travel permits are issued by the USCIS for a period of one or two years, depending on the availability of an immigrant visa. USCIS may also in its discretion issue the card for a longer or shorter validity period, depending on the particulars of the case. 

Renewing your Work and Travel Permit

If your I-485 is still pending approval and your work permit is close to expiring you can apply for a renewal of your EAD.

This application can be submitted up to 120 days within your work authorization expiring. This is done by submitting a new Form I-765 and a new form I-131 to USCIS. When applying for this renewal you will need to attach additional documents such as a copy of your current EAD and the Form I-797 notice from your Form I-485 application.

You file your renewal application on Form I-765 and Form I-131 with USCIS before your current employment authorization expires. You are not required to be in a valid nonimmigrant status when you file your renewal application

Some Things to Consider When Deciding Whether or not to Apply for a Work and Travel Permit:

Employment 

One of the most important things to consider when deciding whether or not to apply for a Work and Travel Permit is employment. As mentioned previously, H-1B visas are linked to a specific employer meaning that you will be unable to change employers or stop working without losing your visa. The same applies to being fired or being laid-off.

The Work and Travel Permit, on the other hand, is not linked to a specific employer. This means that you are not tied to a specific job. Rather, your status and work authorization remains valid regardless of where you work or whether or not you are working. 

If you anticipate needing to change employers for any reason while your green card is being processed, it may be helpful to have a Work and Travel permit as a  back-up-plan as it will allow you to change employers and continue working in the United States without becoming “out-of-status”.

Timing

Balancing processing times with Expiration Dates 

Many applicants working on a H-1B that apply for an Adjustment of Status do so within the first 6-12 months. This ensures they have at least 24 months for their application to go through before their H-1B expires. Doing so decreases the chance that workers will have their Temporary (Non-Immigrant) Work visa expire before their green card application has been accepted. As mentioned previously, H-1B visas normally expire after 3 years but can be renewed. 

If one applies for an Adjustment of Status more than 12 months after their start-date, there is a greater likelihood that their H-1B visa could expire before a decision is made on their green card application. Applicants and employers should keep this in mind as they will likely need to plan ahead and either apply for an extension, apply for a Work and Travel Permit, or both in order to ensure continued employment authorization.  

As of May 2021, the average national wait time for Employment-based Adjustment of Status applications was 13.7 months, however, wait times can be highly variable. Additionally, wait-time averages often differ between offices. For example, as of May 2021, the expected wait time for the Salt Lake City, UT office was 10.5-30 months for Employment-Based Adjustment of Status applications. Find more information about the wait times for your specific office here. 

The current average processing times for H-1B renewals is 4.5 months for non-premium petitions. Premium petitions are currently taking an average of 0.5 months to process. 

While Work and Travel Permits used to take only 90 days to be processed, the average wait time is usually 4-8 months. 

6-year maximums

Something else to consider is whether or not the applicant is nearing the end of their 6-year maximum on the H-1B visa. As mentioned previously, H-1B visas are typically granted in 3-year increments for a maximum of 6 years. However, in some cases, individuals can apply for 1-year renewals after they reach the 6-year maximum. Be sure to keep this timeline in mind as well. 

Given the processing times listed above, individuals will need to decide which option is best for them. Remember that having a Work and Travel Permit does not affect the status of an H-1B visa unless the terms of the H-1B have been violated in some way --such as by changing jobs. However, a Work and Travel Permit can be used to continue employment in the event that an H-1B expires. Note that if you choose to use the Work and Travel Permit Employment Authorization Document to work, you will no longer be able to use your H-1B visa. 

Travel 

As a general rule, any individual who has applied for an Adjustment of Status (I-485) must ensure that they have the right documentation to travel. Traveling without the correct documentation while the application is pending can result in the application being deemed abandoned or the applicant being unable to return to the United States for a time. There are a few exceptions to this rule, including H-1B visa holders and L-1 visa holders. 

Traveling on an H-1B Visa

As previously mentioned, H-1B Visa-holders are the exception to the rule. Unlike other Visa types, applicants with H-1B status who have a pending application for Adjustment of Status do not need to apply for Advance Parole to travel as long as they have followed/are still following all the stipulations of their visa. They are free to travel as long as their H-1B visa remains valid. 

There is, however, an exception. In the case of a pending H-1B extension within the 240 day rule, workers who leave the U.S. will most likely have to wait outside of the United States for the extension itself to be approved. Because of this, applicants should stay in the U.S. while their renewal/extension is pending.

Traveling with Work and Travel Permit (Advance Parole (I-131) and Work Authorization Visa (I-785))

Most individuals apply for Advance Parole (I-131) at the same time they apply for an Adjustment of Status (I-485) and Work Authorization (I-765). Once granted, Advance Parole can be used by applicants to leave the United States without their pending application becoming abandoned. 

Again, please note that H-1B visa holders are exempt from this rule in most circumstances. 

In summary, it is usually a good idea to apply for a Work and Travel Permit when submitting an Application to Adjust Status ((I-485). It also serves as a helpful back-up plan in the case of travel. However, as noted previously, if you use your Work and Travel permit to travel, you will invalidate your H-1B visa.

Sign up for SimpleCitizen & take the guesswork out of the Green Card process

You don’t have to try to navigate the green card process yourself, and you don’t have to pay outrageous attorney fees. SimpleCitizen’s easy to use software will guide you through the whole green card application--including work and travel permits!

Apply for a green card at the fraction of the cost of using an attorney — with all the comfort of having a guide along the way.

Your American dream awaits you, and SimpleCitizen can help you achieve it.

Click here to start your application.

Helpful Resources

• Top 10 Most Common H-1B Visa Questions
• The Ultimate H-1B Visa Guide: How to Hire International Employees.
• How to Travel After Submitting Form I-131
• Can I work while my Green Card application is processing?
• What happens after I submit my Green Card application?
• Can I fly while my Green Card Application is processing?

Last Updated: January 15, 2020.

‍

If you're applying for a green card, chances are you're going to need the sponsor Form I-864.

To prove that your sponsor meets all the requirements, you need to submit the Form I-864 along with your application.

According to USCIS, the official purpose of the form is:

"This form is required for most family-based immigrants and some employment-based immigrants to show that they have adequate means of financial support and are not likely to rely on the U.S. government for financial support."

- USCIS.gov

Mistakes made on this form are one of the most common reason why applicants get RFE's (Request for Evidence) from USCIS. To avoid an RFE, it's very important to make sure that your sponsor meets all the requirements and that you fill out the form correctly.

Do you know what the requirements are for a sponsor? Are you sponsoring an applicant? This article will provide answers to some of the most common questions about financial sponsors, income requirements, and submitting the right forms.

Scroll to the bottom to learn how to actually fill out the form and attach it to your application.

Most Common Questions About Form I-864

Do I need to attach the Form I-864 to my application?

The Form I-864 should be attached to the application if, the intending immigrant (green card applicant) is:

• The immediate relative of a U.S. citizen (spouse, unmarried child under 21, or parent of a U.S. citizen 21 or older).
• A family-based preference immigrant (married or unmarried son or daughter of a U.S. citizen, spouse or unmarried son or daughter of a lawful permanent resident, or the brother or sister of a U.S. citizen 21 or older).
• An employment-based preference immigrant whose immigrant visa petition was filed by a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, U.S. national relative, or such a relative has an ownership interest of 5% or more in the entity that filed your petition.

Form I-864 is supported and included with SimpleCitizen.

Can the I-864 be used for more than one immigrant?

An I-864 must be submitted for each intending immigrant sponsored.

The principle immigrant, the recipient of the immigrant visa petition, may bring a spouse and/or children into the U.S. In such cases, the sponsor need only to photocopy the original I-864 for each dependent if they are based on the same visa petition, as long as they are immigrating at the same time. (Note: The sponsor will not need to provide copies of the supporting documents for each of the photocopied I-864s.)

However, if the principle immigrant’s family is immigrating more than 6 months after the principle immigrant, another Form I-864 will need to be filled out when they apply for their immigrant visas.

Is there a filing fee?

There is no filing fee. However, the National Visa Center (NVC) does send the sponsor a processing fee before the case will be processed.

When do sponsor obligations end?

Sponsor responsibilities end when one of these situations occurs:

• The immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen.
• The immigrant can be credited with 40 qualifying quarters of work in the U.S.
• The sponsor or the immigrant dies.
• The immigrant does not remain a lawful permanent resident.

Please note: divorce does not end a sponsor’s responsibilities.

What supporting documents are required with the I-864?

All sponsors must submit a copy of their Federal income tax return for the most recent tax year. If you were not required to file provide a statement and/or evidence of why. Also include every copy of Form 1099, Schedule, and any other evidence of reported income.

If you are:

• currently self-employed,
• sponsoring more than one intending immigrant,
• sponsoring a spouse while on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or U.S. Coast Guard,
• using the income of persons in your household or dependents to qualify,
• joint sponsor, substitute sponsor, or the relative of an employment-based immigrant,
• or the legal guardian signing the Form I-864

Supporting Document upload & support are included with SimpleCitizen.

you will need to file more supporting documents as proof that you qualify to be a sponsor. These may include a Form I-864A, or papers to establish your income, active military status, residency, lasting employment, assets, status in the U.S., or legal guardianship.

Note: if you make a change of address, you must inform USCIS of your new address within 30 days. If you are a lawful permanent resident sponsor, you must file a change of address within 10 days. To do this file Form I-865.

What are the requirements of being a sponsor?

The sponsor must be 18 years or older and reside in the U.S., its territories, or its possessions.

In order to qualify as a sponsor, the sponsor must also meet certain financial requirements:

Income Requirements:

To qualify as a sponsor, you must show that your annual income is at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. These guidelines are updated annually and are calculated according to household size.

Search the USCIS website to see if you qualify. The 2017 guidelines will remain in affect until the 2018 ones are published.

What if my sponsor is on active duty?

If you are on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and are sponsoring a spouse or child under 18, you only need to have an annual income of 100% the Federal Poverty Guidelines. This does not apply to joint or substitute sponsors.

What if a sponsor doesn’t meet the financial requirements?

If a sponsor does not meet the financial requirements the intending immigrant will be ineligible for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status.

However, if the 125% requirement can be met by any combination of the following 4 options, you may still qualify to be a sponsor.

• The income from any relatives or dependents living in your household currently or listed in your most recent Federal income tax return and who have signed Form I-864A.
• The income from the intending immigrant, if that income will continue from the same source after they immigrate and they are currently living in your residence. (If the intending immigrant is your spouse, their residence does not matter as long as they continue to receive their income from the same source.)
• The value of assets yours, the intending immigrants, or any member of the household who has signed the I-864A.
• The income and/or assets that equal at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines of a joint sponsor.

Can a sponsor use assets to qualify?

If the consular or immigration officer is convinced that the sponsor’s assets could be converted into money within one year, they may be used to supplement the sponsor’s income. However, this conversion must take place without undue harm coming to the sponsor or their dependents. And it cannot include automobiles unless the sponsor owns at least 1 working automobile that was not included as an asset.

What is a joint sponsor?

A joint sponsor is someone who can meet the financial requirements necessary to be a sponsor and is willing to be held jointly liable with the original sponsor, the petitioner, for the support of the intending immigrant(s).

The joint sponsor must be 18 or older and a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or U.S. national domiciled in the U.S., its territories, or its possessions.

The joint sponsor does not have to be related to the petitioner or intending immigrant(s).

If the I-864 being filed by the petitioner includes more than the principle immigrant, the joint sponsor may choose to sponsor all intending immigrants or some of them. A secondary joint sponsor is then necessary to sponsor the remainder of the family. There may be no more than 2 joint sponsors.

Joint Sponsorship is supported by SimpleCitizen.

Can relatives and dependents be a joint sponsor?

A spouse and/or other relative living with the sponsor or unrelated dependents listed on the sponsor’s Federal income tax return even if they don’t live with the sponsor, may help sponsor intending immigrants, if they are willing to be jointly responsible with the sponsor. They must be 18 or older and complete Form I-864A.

Ways To Fill Out Form I-864

Here are a few options available to you for filling out the affidavit of support.

Fill Out On a Computer

Download and view in a PDF viewer.

Download PDF

SimpleCitizen's Application Builder

Form I-864 is included with SimpleCitizen.

Get Started*Includes Attorney Review

Print & Fill Out Paper Form

Print the PDF and fill by hand with black pen.

Print PDF

Hire a Legal Professional

Find a legal professional to complete the form.

Visit AILA.com

Have any more questions?

Feel free to chat with us by clicking on the chat icon in the bottom right hand corner of your browser.

Last Updated: January 7, 2022.

‍

If you are inside the U.S. for an allowed reason and are currently trying to adjust your status to permanent resident, then you can use Form I-485.
‍

Form I-485 Sample Download:

Download a sample of the I-485 here.

Fill out the I-485 Online Here.

*Please note that USCIS forms frequently change. Please refer to the USCIS I-485 form page for the most up-to-date version.

Who can submit the Form I-485?

Relatives of United States citizens:

spouses, children, parents, and siblings of U.S. citizens who used the Form I-130 and received a visa can use Form I-485 to ask for a Green Card. For immediate family cases (like spouses) you can submit all the forms together in one packet.

Relatives of Green Card holders:

spouses and unmarried children of Green Card holders who used Form I-130 and received a visa can use Form I-485 to ask for a Green Card. You can prepare a family based green card application here.‍

Workers:

If you are in the U.S. with a temporary work visa and have been offered a permanent job while you're in the U.S., you could use Form I-485 to ask to stay in the U.S. permanently. Your U.S. employer can start the process for your Green Card using Form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker.‍

Refugees and Asylees:

Refugees and Asylees can use Form I-485 to ask for a Green Card. In the Form I-485, you must prove that you are still an asylee, refugee, or refugee’s spouse or child and that you’ve been inside the U.S. for 1 year since were allowed to enter for that reason.

Helpful Links:

Form I-485 Step by Step Instructions

The Comprehensive Guide on How to Get a Green Card

Are you eligible to apply for a Green Card?

Take the quiz

‍

‍

‍

‍

Updated: Feb. 10, 2020.

‍

So you've mailed your green card application and are anxiously waiting for whatever comes next. What happens now?

After you submit the Form I-485, along with all the other required forms, there are still a few more steps to take before you become a permanent resident in the United States. This guide will help you understand each one of those steps.

Have not submitted your application yet? Here's a guide on how to prepare your application.

1. Receipt of Application

Approximately 30 days after filing

Once USCIS has received your application, they should send you a receipt within approximately 30 days.

If you attached a Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance along with your Form I-485, you will also receive a confirmation email or text message within 24 hours of your application being accepted.

Both the physical receipt and the e-receipt will have a receipt number on them. You can use this number to check your case status and see how far along your case is in the application process.

Note: If you submit the Form I-485 without a signature or without the correct filing fee, USCIS will send you a notice that your form is incomplete. You may then fix the problem and re-submit it. If they need more evidence, USCIS may request (RFE) originals of the copies you provided them. These original documents will be returned to you when they are no longer needed.

2. Biometrics Services Appointment Notice

Approximately 3-5 weeks after filing

After your I-485 is filed, you will receive a notice in the mail about your biometrics services appointment, which will be held at a local Application Support Center (ASC). The notice will tell you the date, time, and location of your appointment. At this appointment, you will provide your fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature, which will be used to verify your identity and run background checks. Sometimes this can happen within 3-5 weeks, but the timeline varies considerably.

You should review your Form I-485 information before the biometrics appointment. Your signature at the biometrics appointment will indicate that your application was complete, true, and correct. When you go to your appointment, take with you:

• Your ASC appointment notice.
• Valid photo ID (such as a passport, driver's license, or state-issued photo ID card).
• A translator if you cannot understand spoken English.

3. Interview Notice

Approximately 4-10 months after filing

You will probably be requested to appear at a USCIS office to answer questions about your Form I-485. You will receive a notice that will tell you when and where the interview will take place. Bring with you original:

• Passports
• Official Travel Documents
• Form I-94
• Copy of your Form I-485
• All other originals of the documents that you submitted with your Form I-485, even if the documents are now expired.

It is best to appear at all USCIS appointments (including interviews and biometrics appointments) on the scheduled date. However, if you are sick, you can follow the instructions on your appointment notice to reschedule.

4. Receive Permanent Residence

Approximately 8-14 months after filing

After your interview, the USCIS will send you a written notice of their decision. If you are approved, you will receive your green card in the mail soon after. If your application is denied, the decision notice will explain why. It will also state whether you can appeal the decision or not. Even if it says that you cannot appeal the decision, you may still be able to file a motion to reconsider. To file an appeal or a motion you will use Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion.

Other Tips

Avoid leaving the United States while your application is pending.

If you plan to leave the US while your application is pending, even if it a short trip to Mexico or Canada, make sure that you have the right documentation to leave and re-enter the US. You will probably have to file Form-131 to obtain either an Advanced Parole Document or a refugee travel document. You will not need to file Form-131 if you are an H, L, V, or K3/K4 nonimmigrant who is maintaining lawful nonimmigrant status, and you return with a valid H, L, V, or K3/K4 nonimmigrant visa. If you leave the country without proper documentation, your Form I-485 may be denied, or you may not be able to lawfully re-enter the US.

Moving & changing your address.

If you move, it is important to promptly inform the USCIS so that you do not miss any mailed notifications about your application. Update your address with the USCIS within 10 days of moving. In most cases, you can do this online at the USCIS website.

Ask for help.

If you have questions or need help with any part of your application, please feel free to reach out to our support team. We're here to help!

Updated: May 12, 2022

For Español click here.

Getting a Green Card means you have been authorized to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis.

In addition to living and working in the U.S. permanently, there are numerous other benefits of getting a green card:

• You can now sponsor family applying for their own green cards.
• You may travel outside the U.S. and return without disrupting your status.
• Once you've had your green card for five years, you may apply to become a U.S. citizen.
• You are eligible to receive Social Security benefits after 10 years of work.
• You qualify for in-state tuition.

How to Become a Permanent Resident

There are a few different ways you may become a green card holder:

• Sponsorship by a family member in the United States.
• Sponsorship by an employer's offer of permanent employment in the United States or through your own entrepreneurship.
• Through attaining refugee or asylee status or through another humanitarian program.

To qualify for a green card, you must fall into one of the available immigrant categories.

‍

Available Immigrant Categories:

• Family-based
• Job or employment-based
• Based on refugee or asylum status

a. Family-Based

You may qualify for a green card if you are:

• An immediate relative of a U.S. citizen. This includes spouses, unmarried children under the age of 21, and parents of U.S. citizens age 21 or older.
• Another family member of a U.S. citizen. This includes unmarried children over the age of 21, married children of any age, and brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens age 21 or older.
• A family member of a lawful permanent resident. This includes spouses and unmarried children of the sponsoring lawful permanent resident.

If you fall into one of the above categories, you can learn how to prepare a family-based green card application with SimpleCitizen here.

In addition to the above categories, being a member of another special category may qualify you to get a green card based on family. These include being a:

• Battered spouse or child
• A K nonimmigrant
• A person born to a foreign diplomat in the United States
• A V nonimmigrant
• A widow(er) of a U.S. citizen

Important to note: There is an order of preference for people who wish to immigrate to the U.S. based on family. First preference goes to the first category listed above, immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen. To see the complete order of preference for family members, visit the USCIS website.

b. Job or Employment-Based

You may qualify for a green card based on a job offer or your plans to invest in the U.S. economy and create jobs. The employment-based category includes:

• Green card through a job offer. This is also known as sponsorship through an employer — in other words, when an employer sponsors your green card application.
• Green card through investment or entrepreneurship. Immigrant investors/entrepreneurs who are investing in a U.S. - based business that creates new U.S. jobs may be eligible for a green card.

Green card through special categories of jobs. You may be able to get a green card based on having a past or current job in one of the following special categories set forth by the U.S. government:

• Afghan/Iraqi translator
• Armed forces member
• Broadcaster
• International organization employee
• Iraqi who assisted the U.S. government
• Afghan who assisted the U.S. government
• NATO-6 Nonimmigrant
• Panama Canal employee
• Physician National Interest Waiver
• Religious worker

c. Refugee or Asylum Status

You may be able to get a green card through your status as a refugee or asylee.

• If you're a refugee, the law requires you to apply for your green card within a year of entering the U.S.
• If you have been granted asylum in the U.S., the law requires you to apply for your green card within a year of asylum status being granted.

Filing an Immigrant Petition

If you belong to one of the above categories, next you will need an immigrant petition filed on your behalf. The petition establishes the basis for your immigration and the classification or category in which you belong.

• For people immigrating based on family, the petitioner will file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. Click here to start a family-based petition.
• For people immigrating based on employment, the petitioner will file Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker

How to find out if you are eligible to apply

Everyone who wishes to get an immigrant visa (and apply for any subsequent status adjustment) must prove that they are eligible for admission to the United States.

What would make someone inadmissible? The grounds of inadmissibility are set by Congress and are particular to the category under which you are immigrating. These factors include:

• Financial reasons. The relative who sponsors you must be able to support you.
• Health-related reasons. You cannot have a disease that makes you a public health risk.
• Immigration history. If you've ever entered the U.S. illegally or overstayed a visa by six months or longer, you may be deemed inadmissible.
• Criminal history. Applicants who have been charged and/or convicted of certain crimes, such as violent felonies, drug offenses and terrorism, may be deemed inadmissible.

SimpleCitizen's Eligibility Quiz

In order to make sure you are eligible to apply and that you choose the correct application for your situation, you can use SimpleCitizen's free eligibility quiz here.

By answering just a few easy questions you can determine if you are eligible to apply. Here's how it works:

If you have a questions about your eligibility or are unsure how to get started, here are a few options:

• Contact SimpleCitizen Support

Sign up for SimpleCitizen & take the guesswork out of the Green Card process

You don't have to try to navigate the green card process yourself, and you don't have to pay outrageous attorney fees. SimpleCitizen's easy to use software will guide you through the whole green card application.

Apply for a green card at the fraction of the cost of using an attorney — with all the comfort of having a guide along the way.

Your American dream awaits you, and SimpleCitizen can help you achieve it.

Click here to start your application.

Last Updated: May 8, 2024

‍

Obtaining lawful permanent residence status, or a green card, is a necessary step on the way to becoming a U.S. Citizen. As a green card holder, in addition to the right to live and work in the U.S. on a permanent basis, you gain an important new set of rights. Significantly, you can now sponsor certain relatives applying for their own green cards. You are also allowed to travel from and return to the U.S. without disrupting your status. Green card holders can make campaign contributions, receive Social Security benefits after ten years of work in the country, and are eligible to get in-state tuition.. If you are interested in applying for a green card, this guide will help you understand the avenues for obtaining a green card, specifically detailing the process for those eligible through an immediate family member.

Green Card Eligibility

In general, to apply for permanent residence in the U.S. you must meet each of the following requirements.

1. You must be eligible for one of the immigrant categories set forth by the Immigration and Nationality Act. The most common immigrant categories are having a qualified family member, having a job offer or employment, or being a refugee or having asylum status. There are many other avenues of eligibility, including for victims of trafficking and the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, so consult the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website to determine your status.
2. For most immigrant categories, an immigrant petition that establishes the basis for your immigrant eligibility must be filed on your behalf.
3. You must be eligible for admission to the United States, meaning there are no health-related, criminal, security or other grounds for inadmissibility.
4. A visa must be immediately available. For immediate relatives of a U.S. Citizen, visas are always available, but for all others, there are a limited number of visas awarded each year. The order in which these visas are assigned is determined by immigrant visa preference categories under U.S. immigration law.

Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens Living in the U.S.

Parents, spouses, and unmarried children under the age of 21 (natural or adopted) of U.S. citizens are considered immediate relatives and do not have to wait to get a visa. If you are an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen and meet all of the green card eligibility requirements, you can file for a green card. If you are living inside of the United States, you may apply with Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) at the same time your sponsoring family member files Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative). This called concurrent filing (where you file all forms at the same time and to the same place) and is the preferred and most expedient way to file. However, if your sponsoring family member has previously filed Form I-130 and it has not been denied, you can still file your Form I-495 but must also attach a copy of Form I-797 (Notice of Action). Form I-797 is simply a receipt that shows your Form I-130 has been received or approved.

1. Filing Form I-130

This form is available on the USCIS website and must be completed by your sponsoring relative. In addition to completing the Form I-130, your sponsor must submit documents proving U.S. citizenship and documents proving the family relationship. Consult the USCIS website to determine what forms of proof are accepted. Any documents in a foreign language must be accompanied by a certified English translation.Click here to prepare your green card packet (including I-130) with SimpleCitizen.The filing fee for this form is $675. This fee cannot be waived. Consult the USCIS website for the correct address as it varies.

2. Filing Form I-485

You can find this form on the USCIS website. In addition to fully completing your Form I-485, you must provide the USCIS with supporting documentation. You must include evidence of your criminal history, if any, a copy of your foreign birth certificate or other birth records, a copy of the passport page from any nonimmigrant visa issued from a U.S. Embassy or consulate abroad within the past year, two passport-style color photos, and, if required, a medical examination report (Form I-693). Note that all documents in a foreign language must be accompanied by a certified English translation.The filing fee for Form I-485 is $1,440. If you are unable to pay this fee, a fee waiver might be available. Click here to prepare your green card packet (including I-485) with SimpleCitizen.

3. What Happens Next?

Within one to two weeks of submitting your paperwork, you will receive Form I-797 (Notice of Action), which includes a receipt number from the USCIS that will allow you to track the status of your application. To check your status, go to USCIS.gov, enter the thirteen digit receipt number, and click "Check Status." Next, sometime after your application is filed, you will be notified in writing where and when you must go for a biometric services appointment, which entails fingerprinting and possibly taking a photo or submitting your signature. If you do not go to this appointment, your application might be denied. Finally, you will be called in for an interview at your local USCIS office. It is possible your green card will be approved at this interview.Although the wait time for an interview can vary, for an immigrant spouse living in the U.S. after legal entry, the average wait is six months to a year. Within 30 days of being informed that your green card has been approved, you will receive a welcome notice from the USCIS. Then within 30 days of receiving the welcome notice, you will finally get your green card in the mail.

Non-Immediate Family Members

Parents, spouses, and unmarried children under the age of 21 (natural or adopted) of U.S. citizens are considered immediate relatives and do not have to wait to get a visa. However, other qualified relatives are placed in preference categories depending on their relationship to the sponsor. U.S. Immigration law limits both the number of visas given to each category every year and the total given to each country. There are 226,000 family-sponsored preference visas allocated each year, and each category is given a law-mandated percentage of that total. The wait to submit a visa application can be years or even decades.To start the visa process, the sponsoring family member must file a visa petition (document form I-130). The date this petition is properly filed becomes the applicant’s “Priority Date.” Each month, the State Department puts out the Visa Bulletin, listing which Priority Dates can submit their visa application for each preference category. The Visa Bulletin actually lists two dates- those priority dates that are Eligible for Final Action, which means their visas are ready to be issued, and priority dates that are Eligible for Filing, which is the date those people can file their application for a visa, often years before their visa is ready to be issued. The visa application is called an “Adjustment of Status” application. Many choose to file ahead of time because those with pending applications are eligible for temporary Employment Authorization Documents and Travel Permission while they wait for their visa.There are four family-sponsored preference categories. The priority dates eligible for final action and filing are determined by these preference categories, as well as the current country of citizenship (called the country of chargeability). There are some countries (mainland-born China, India, Mexico and the Philippines) that have a high number of applicants and therefore applicants from those countries may have longer wait times than others in their same preference category.

The First Family Preference (F1)

F1 is for unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. Citizens over the age of 21, and their children, if any. As of May 2017, the wait for applicants in this preference category, not from a high volume country, was almost seven years from their priority date. The waits for high volume countries vary. For example, the wait for Mexican applicants to be eligible for a visa is currently twelve years, whereas those from China and India are waiting seven years.

The Second Family Preference (F2)

F2 is divided into two sub-preference categories (F2A and F2B). F2A covers spouses and children (under 21) of permanent residents. As of May 2017, the wait for applicants in this preference category, not from a high volume country, was about two years from their priority date. F2B is for unmarried sons and daughters (over 21) of permanent residents. As of May 2017, the wait for applicants in this preference category, not from a high volume country, was almost seven years from their priority date.

The Third Family Preference (F3)

F3 covers married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, their spouses and minor children. As of May 2017, the wait for applicants in this preference category, not from a high volume country, was about twelve years from their priority date.

The Fourth Family Preference (F4)

F4 covers brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens, their spouses and minor children. As of May 2017, the wait for applicants in this preference category, not from a high volume country, was around thirteen years from their priority date.

‍

Helpful links‍

SimpleCitizen's 2017 Green Card Application Guide
‍Find out if you are eligible to apply
‍Marriage Based Green Card Interview Questions

‍

Last Updated: February 5, 2020.

‍

Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, is used to either register for permanent legal residence in the United States or adjust to permanent resident status. Adjusting to permanent resident status simply means obtaining a green card (i.e. permanent legal residency) without having to return to your home country if you’re already in the United States.

While Form I-485 is a required step on your path to legal citizenship, it isn’t the only step. In fact, you will need other completed forms and evidence depending upon your unique situation. For example, you will need a completed Form I-130 if you are getting residency through a family member who is already a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States.

This Form is filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). While your family member is responsible for Form I-130 to establish a familiar connection that enables you to take the next step in the immigration process with Form I-485, you are responsible for the completion and filing of Form I-485.