Adjustment of status is a process of changing the status of a person from non-immigrant to permanent legal resident of the country. This process is also known as green card and AOS. In adjustment of status process the person does not have to leave the country and to apply for immigration from another country. There are certain requirements by fulfilling which a person could get the immigrant visa.
The process of adjustment of status is a lengthy process and for this very reason people prefer the process known as consular processing. In this process they have to leave the country and then again apply for the immigrant visa from abroad.
How to Apply For Adjustment of Status
The process for adjustment of status is a three-step process. You have to go through these three steps to get permanent residency. This process can take several years to complete. The time this process can take to complete depends on the type of immigration you selected or the country to which you belong.
You may apply for the adjustment of status on the basis of family relationships some of which are immediate family relations and other relations. If your family lives in US the family has to verify your relationship with them by providing a petition to the bureau of citizenship and immigration for the adjustment of status on your behalf.
You can also apply for the adjustment of status on the basis of your employment. In such cases you have to apply for the adjustment of status with your green card application. Your employer has to verify that you have a permanent full time job.
The other way of applying for the adjustment of status is that you apply on the basis of your marriage in US. In this way you enter in US on fiancée visa (K1). You have to get married to the person who already lives in US within ninety days. The children who enter US under such visas can also apply for the adjustment of status on the basis of their parent’s permanent residence.
There are certain forms that you have to fill and submit to the related department to apply for adjustment of status.
Benefits of adjustment of status process
With your valid visa you can stay in United States legally for six months. During this time you may decide to get permanent visa because of your marriage or other reasons. For this you will have to go through adjustment of status process. Some benefits you get after applying for adjustment of status are as follows:
- The applicant gets legal permission to stay in USA while the application is in process.
- An adjustment of status applicant gets the permission to work in United States while his case is pending. This is known as Employment Authorization Document (EDA).
- Another advantage is permission of traveling. The applicant can travel between US and other countries. This travel document is known as Advance Parole.
- It is also possible to apply for green card besides the application for status.
- The applicant does not have to leave USA to get immigrant visa.