Thomson, GA Immigration Law Firms & Lawyers

An Employment Authorization Document ("EAD" or "work permit") that is the subject of a Form I-765 is a benefit available for use while a Form I-485 Application for Adjustment of Status remains pending. The Form I-765 application may be filed simultaneously with or after the filing of a Form I-485 application, but not before. Is there any reason that your U.S. citizen wife filed only the Form I-130? Was that an oversight? Was that because you and she believe you are legally ineligible to adjust status in the U.S.? Especially for those who are not thoroughly familiar with immigration laws and processes, it would be wise to work with an immigration attorney. Some immigration law firms, including mine, offer legal services on a "flat fee" basis rather than an hourly charge, and a few immigration law firms, including mine, offer an initial consultation free of charge.

Generally, the USCIS filing fee for a Petition for Relative Alien is $420 and the USCIS filing fee for an Application for Adjustment of Status is $1,140. Beyond those fees, the beneficiary will need to pay a fee to the designated civil surgeon who prepares the required Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. The foregoing contemplates a U.S. citizen age 21 or older sponsoring a parent who is in the U.S. for the adjustment of status application process to become a Lawful Permanent Resident (to get a "Green Card"). The application forms as well as the required supporting documents for the adjustment of status process can be significantly more complex than they appear. Errors or insufficient supporting documentation can cause delays or even more harsh consequences. It would be wise for you and your father to consult with an immigration attorney who, after learning all of the relevant information, could advise about eligibilities, options and strategies to attain your goals, and who then could offer legal representation in the application process.

Generally, a foreign national living abroad who is engaged to become married to a U.S. citizen may complete an immigration process that includes the foreign national's minor children. There are multiple approaches to be considered, including, for example, an application for a K-1 fiance visa that would allow the foreign national to enter the U.S. to become married within the required time and then proceed with adjustment of status; the couple could become married abroad and then complete the consular processing steps in the Immediate Relative visa category, etc. It would be wise for you and your fiance to consult with an immigration attorney who, after learning all of the relevant information, could advise about immigration eligibilities, options and strategies and who then could offer legal representation for the often quite complex application process.