Philadelphia Immigration Lawyer For Adjustment Of Status

Serving Bucks County, Northeast Philadelphia, & Montgomery County

If you are living in the United States on a temporary visa and qualify for a green card, your status will not change on its own. You have to apply for adjustment of status to become a lawful permanent resident without leaving the country.

There are several reasons why a person who currently resides in the United States may want to make that change. For instance, an international student may want to begin their career here, a temporary worker may find long-term employment, or either of them may find a marriage partner.

These are all excellent bases for lawful permanent residency, but a person’s temporary status does not automatically change on their account.

Before you file, a Philadelphia Immigration Attorney can look at how you entered the country, your current status, and your basis for a green card to confirm whether you are eligible. If you are, we help you gather the right documents, prepare your application, and get ready for what comes next with USCIS.

Adjustment of status is a suitable option for individuals already present in the United States on a valid visa. Those looking to immigrate directly from their home country instead must go through a process called consular processing, which requires meeting with a consular officer for an interview at a consulate or embassy in their home country.

Immigration Attorney Adjustment Of Status

Anyone eligible for adjustment of status is also suitable for consular processing. Some choose consular processing despite the inconvenience of returning to their home country, both because the process is generally quicker and the fees are lower.

Several factors determine an immigrant's eligibility for adjustment of status. First, the applicant must be physically present in the United States. Additionally, in the overwhelming majority of cases, the applicant must have entered the United States legally.

One of the few exceptions to this rule is that a familial relationship of a citizen or lawful permanent resident who has suffered physical abuse can still apply. Despite having entered the country illegally, they can demonstrate that it is necessary to protect them from said abuse.

The applicant also must not be "removable" from the United States, which means that they cannot be either inadmissible or eligible for deportation. Furthermore, the applicant must have a basis for lawful permanent residency. This may include:

• A blood relationship with a citizen or lawful permanent resident
• Marriage to a citizen or a lawful permanent resident
• Employment within the United States
• Political asylum is in cases where the applicant's home country is made unsafe for them as a result of persecution on the basis of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.

Philadelphia Attorney For Adjustment Of Status

The applicant's hurdles do not necessarily end there. Even when it is demonstrated successfully that the applicant meets these requirements of entry, their eligibility may still be jeopardized if their situation changes or if they have taken part in any criminal activity or unauthorized work.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services officers who review your adjustment application may also find it necessary to establish an interview.

This often occurs for marriage-based applications for the USCIS to ensure that your marriage is "bona fide" or genuine rather than a sham marriage entered into for the sole purpose of obtaining a green card.

Immigration Lawyer For Adjustment of Status

As you can see, this process can often become complicated. Therefore, to avoid any potential pitfalls and ensure that your application runs as smoothly as possible, it's essential that you seek out the assistance of an experienced adjustment of status Immigration Lawyer.

At Velter Yurovsky Zoftis Sokolson, LLC, we will walk you through every step of the process and make your case to USCIS at every turn. We offer free consultations to all prospective clients, so don't hesitate to contact us.

Call us today at (215) 969-3004 or Email us to explore your options. Let's set you on the path to staying in the United States legally and permanently.