Adjustment of Status for U.S. Residents

Helping Residents of North Charleston and Beyond

During a visit to the U.S. on a temporary visa, it might be possible to apply for lawful permanent resident status. If this option is available, you will become a Green Card holder without the standard requirement of returning to your home country in order to process the visa.

The eligibility criteria for adjusting your status can vary depending on the category of immigrant visa for which you are applying. If you would like guidance in this area, we can help you determine which category best suits your circumstance. It may also be possible to apply for an adjustment of status from outside of the U.S. In this case, the visa would be processed through the consulate or embassy.

Our lawyer can help you through the specific needs of your case and help create a process when it comes to adjusting your status.

The Adjustment of Status Process

Although the steps of the process will vary from case to case, in general, an attorney like Ameneh Maghzi at Maghzi Law Firm, LLC can help you through the following steps of the adjustment of status process:

Filing an immigrant petition: In most cases, this must be filed by a third party, such as a family member or an employer, who will effectively serve as your sponsor. A lawyer can help navigate who the ideal party would be to help through this process.

Confirming visa availability: Typically, a visa must be available in your specific category before you can file your Form I-485. An attorney can help make sure an immigrant visa is available prior to applying for permanent residence.

Interview guidance and advice: Upon reviewing your application, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services officials might decide that it is necessary for you to answer questions under an oath or affirmation. A lawyer will be familiar with the expectations of this process and can provide support in helping you answer their questions accurately in order to the application process.

Call (843) 800-2750 for a consultation. We offer services in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Where Should I File My Adjustment of Status Application?

Where you send your application depends on the reason why you are filing for adjustment of status (AOS) and sometimes, the location of the applicant.

Below is where your adjustment of status application should be filed:

• Family-based immigration AOS (Form I-130)
  • USCIS Chicago Family-Based Immigration Processing Center 
    USCIS, P.O. Box 804625 Chicago, IL 60680-4107 
• Employment-based petitions AOS (Form I-140)
  • USCIS Phoenix or Dallas service centers, depending on your location
    • Phoenix - USCIS P.O. Box 21281 Phoenix, AZ 85036
      • If you are in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Guam or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
    • Dallas - USCIS, P.O. Box 660867 Dallas, TX 75266
      • If you are in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, or West Virginia
• Form I-485 filed concurrently with Form I-140, without premium processing request
  • Dallas - USCIS, P.O. Box 660867 Dallas, TX 75266
• Form I-485 filed concurrently with Form I-140, with premium processing request
  • USCIS Texas or Nebraska service centers, depending on your location
    • Texas - Premium Processing, USCIS Texas Service Center, P.O. Box 279030 Dallas, TX 75227-9030
      • If you are in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands or West Virginia
    • Nebraska - Premium Processing, SCIS Nebraska Service Center, P.O. Box 87103 Lincoln, NE 68501-7103
      • Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, CNMI, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, or Wyoming

Work With A North Charleston Adjustment of Status Lawyer

Overall, we understand that adjusting status can be a complicated process, and we are here to take the complexities out of the equation and allow you to have a clearer understanding of what is expected. In the long run, a North Charleston immigration lawyer often saves an applicant a tremendous amount of time because we know exactly what the legalities are for your specific situation and will help you execute the necessary steps successfully.

If you need help with adjusting your status in North Charleston, call Maghzi Law Firm, LLC at (843) 800-2750 or contact us online. We also serve clients in Charleston, SC.