Doraville Adjustment of Status Lawyer

Many non-citizens believe they must return to the U.S. consulate in their home country to legally immigrate to the United States. However, if you already reside in the country, you may be able to pursue a process known as adjustment of status without having to leave.

Adjustment of status allows you to swap one lawful immigration status for another, typically moving toward a green card and eventually citizenship. For example, a seasoned immigration attorney could help you adjust your temporary student visa to a permanent employment-based work permit. Let a Doraville adjustment of status lawyer help you pursue the appropriate legal status for your situation.

Why Adjust Your Legal Status?

There are many reasons why someone might seek to adjust their immigration status while in the United States. The most common situation occurs when a person already lawfully in the United States wants to change their status from one type of visa to another. Typically, a person adjusts their status to move from a temporary, non-immigrant visa to a green card that provides a path to U.S. citizenship.

Many people who come to the United States to further their education wish to stay once their degree is completed. These people can typically accomplish this by applying for an employment-based visa. Others might marry a U.S. citizen or lawful resident, gaining the opportunity to seek a family-based visa. While a visa offers the opportunity to live in the United States, adjusting this status to permanent residency and citizenship offers greater opportunities and more stability.

Adjustment of status is also an option for those who do not currently have legal status in the United States. For example, a person facing deportation proceedings might be able to pursue an adjustment of status to be accepted as a refugee. It might not always be clear when it is the right time to adjust legal status, which is why people should speak with a Doraville attorney for help with this process.

The Process of Adjusting Your Status

Arguably the most important benefit of pursuing an adjustment of status is that an applicant does not have to leave the country to apply for a new visa. Unlike visa-holders currently residing in their home country, it is not necessary to go through the consular process before entering the U.S.

Applicants should be aware, however, that the process of adjusting their status takes time and effort. While the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) takes time to make a decision, applicants seeking an adjustment of status can often continue legally living and working in the country.

There are also times when these cases can become delayed. While it is safe to assume adjustment of status can take several months at a minimum, these delays are occasionally unreasonable. A Doraville attorney could advise an applicant on how to initiate an adjustment of status while working with USCIS to resolve any delays that might drag the process to a halt.

Contact a Doraville Adjustment of Status Attorney Today

If you currently reside in the United States and intend to pursue a change in your immigration status, the good news is you likely do not need to leave the country. Adjustment of status is a process that can allow you to update your legal status while remaining in the United States.

Any application for changing your immigration status has many logistical requirements that may be challenging to navigate on your own. Fortunately, a Doraville adjustment of status lawyer could assist you with this process. Call Solano Law Firm today to discuss how we could help.