Get your green card without leaving the United States
If your relative is already here and entered lawfully, "adjustment of status" lets them become a permanent resident through Form I-485—usually with a work permit and travel document while the case is pending. No trip abroad, no consular interview.
Start your adjustment caseThese are our base flat fees. They cover a standard case, start to finish, quoted in writing before you commit. More complex matters — and Stokes interviews, or attorney travel outside the NYC metro area or South Florida — are quoted separately. Government filing fees are set by USCIS and the State Department and are not included. Includes the I-130 and I-485.
Who can adjust status?
Usually a good fit
Spouse, parent, or unmarried child under 21 of a U.S. citizen who is physically in the U.S. and entered with inspection (a visa, parole, etc.). Immediate relatives have a visa number available right away, so the I-130 and I-485 can be filed together.
Possible with planning
Spouse or child of a green-card holder (category F2A) once a visa number is current; preference relatives; and some cases under INA §245(i). Entry history and any prior immigration or criminal issues matter—this is exactly what the consultation sorts out.
Entered without inspection or have a prior removal order? Adjustment may not be available and consular processing with a waiver could be the route. We'll tell you straight.
The adjustment process, step by step
1File the package
We prepare and file the I-130 petition with the I-485 application together, plus the work permit (I-765), travel document (I-131), and affidavit of support (I-864), with a full evidence package.
2Biometrics
Your relative attends a short fingerprint appointment. The work and travel permits typically come a few months later while the green card is pending. (Work permits tied to a pending I-485 are currently issued with 18-month validity, so plan for a renewal if the case runs long.) The I-693 medical exam is valid only while the application it accompanies is pending — we time it to the filing.
3Interview
USCIS schedules a green-card interview at a local field office. We prepare you both thoroughly—documents, questions, and what to expect.
4Approval
On approval, the green card is mailed. If the marriage was under two years old, we calendar the I-751 to remove conditions before the card expires.
Forms & USCIS filing fees
Typical fees for one adjustment applicant. Government fees only—our flat legal fee is separate and quoted up front.
| Form | Purpose | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| I-130 | Petition for Alien Relative | $675 |
| I-485 | Adjustment of Status (incl. biometrics) | $1,440 |
| I-765 | Work permit (optional) | $260 |
| I-131 | Advance parole / travel (optional) | $630 |
| I-864 | Affidavit of Support | $0 |
| Total | With work & travel permits | ≈ $3,005 |
Fees current as of July 2026 and set by regulation — they can change at any time. Filing the I-130 online costs $625 instead of $675, and USCIS now accepts only electronic payment (card or bank withdrawal) for paper filings. Verify on the official USCIS Fee Calculator, or run your own numbers with our fee calculator.
A 2026 note on adjustment of status
In May 2026, USCIS issued policy memo PM-602-0199 describing adjustment of status as a discretionary form of relief. Eligibility under the law did not change, but how a case is documented and presented matters more than ever. Read our plain-English breakdown, or talk it through with us before you file.
Questions about adjustment of status
Can my spouse adjust status without leaving the U.S.?
Often yes—if they're the spouse of a U.S. citizen, are physically here, and entered lawfully. The I-130 and I-485 can usually be filed together, with a work permit and travel document while the case is pending.
What if my relative entered without inspection?
Adjustment may not be available. In many cases consular processing, sometimes with a provisional waiver, is the route. We assess entry history before anyone travels.
How long does adjustment take?
Recent USCIS data puts a concurrent marriage-based case roughly in the 10–17 month range, depending on the field office. We'll estimate based on current times at your consultation. Figures are general and current as of July 2026.
Is there an interview?
Yes—USCIS reinstated in-person interviews for marriage cases in 2026, and waivers are now rare. We prepare you both thoroughly. See our interview guide.
Start your adjustment of status case
Flat fee, quoted up front. A real attorney from intake to approval. Free, confidential consultation.
Request a free consultation Call (718) 484-7510