Unlocking the Secrets of Adjustment of Status: Here’s What You Need To Know
"An Educational Conversation Presented by TheImmiQuest"
[On Green Card/Adjustment of Status (AOS) ]
A Conversation on Green Card/Adjustment of Status (AOS)
Scene: On a Zoom call with a couple, Mr. Arjun Patel and his spouse, Mrs. Mary Gurung Patel.
The screen opens to a young woman, looking slightly anxious. She clutches a notebook, papers scattered on the table in front of her. Her spouse rests a reassuring hand on hers. On the other side of the screen, the representative from TheImmiQuest smiles warmly..
TheImmiQuest: Hi, Mrs Patel. Hi, Mr. Patel. It’s so nice to meet you both! We’re really glad we could connect today. First off, take a deep breath, it’s completely normal to feel a bit overwhelmed at the start of any immigration process.. Today, we’ll go over the main steps in a way that helps you understand the system clearly.
Mary:
Hi! Thank you so much for meeting with us. This whole process is so new to us, but I’ve been doing some research and still feel a little lost.
(Glances at her spouse and smiles.)
So, I’m Mary Gurung, and this is my husband, Arjun Patel. I’m the one applying for the Green Card through marriage. Arjun got his Green Card about three years ago through his employer.
Arjun:
Yes, I work in IT as a systems analyst for a healthcare company here in Texas. They sponsored me for my Green Card, so I know how long and detailed this process can be.
Mary:
I came to the U.S. on a student visa and just finished my master’s in education this spring. I’m on OPT right now and tutoring full-time. We’ve been married just over a year.
Arjun:
We live in a small apartment, and we love going on evening walks. Our families are back in India and Nepal, so it’s just the two of us here.
Mary:
We’ve brought everything we could think of, marriage certificate, my I-20s, transcripts. I just don’t really know where to start. Someone told me I might be able to apply for something called “Adjustment of Status,” but I don’t really understand how it works.
Understanding the Adjustment of Status
TheImmiQuest:
Let’s break this down step by step.
Adjustment of Status (AOS) is the process that allows certain eligible applicants already in the United States to apply for a Green Card without leaving the country. Everything happens through USCIS inside the U.S., rather than through a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.
But, and this is important, since Mr. Patel is a Green Card holder, not a U.S. citizen, eligibility to apply for AOS depends on whether a visa number is available under the F2A category (spouse and unmarried children of permanent residents)
Mary: Okay… so what does that mean exactly?
TheImmiQuest:
Here’s how it works for spouses of Green Card holders:
- Step One: File the I-130: The U.S. permanent resident spouse files this petition with USCIS to establish the qualifying relationship.
- Step Two: Wait for your priority date to be current: After the I-130 is approved, the case is placed in a waiting line under the F2A category. The priority date marks the applicant’s place in that line. Each month, the U.S. Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin, which shows which dates are “current”, meaning a visa number is available. Only when the priority date is current can the applicant move forward to the next stage.
- Step Three: Apply for Green Card/Adjustment of Status — if eligible.
When the date becomes current and the applicant remains in valid immigration status in the U.S., they may generally be eligible to file for Adjustment of Status. Those outside the U.S. would usually go through consular processing instead.
Mary:
So, we can’t apply for Green Card right now?
TheImmiQuest:
Not immediately, no. The first step is usually filing the I-130 petition. Once that’s approved, the next stage depends on visa availability. If the priority date becomes current while the applicant is still in valid status in the U.S., then an application for Adjustment of Status can typically be filed. If the applicant is outside the U.S., consular processing would apply instead.
Arjun:
Got it. So, it’s I-130 first, then wait for the date, then file for a Green Card/ Adjustment of Status if eligible?
TheImmiQuest:
Exactly. The F2A category is sometimes “current”, meaning the waiting time can be shorter, but it can change. Applicants usually monitor the Visa Bulletin each month to stay informed.
Mary:
And if we get to the Green Card/ Adjustment of Status step, what forms are needed?
TheImmiQuest:
According to USCIS, typical forms for the AOS process include:
- Form I-485 – Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
- Form I-864 – Affidavit of Support (completed by the sponsoring spouse)
- Form I-693 – Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record
- Form I-765 – Application for Employment Authorization
- Form I-131 – Application for Travel Document (Advance Parole)
Arjun:
How long does this whole process take?
TheImmiQuest:
Processing times can vary widely. On average, from filing the I-130 to final approval, it can take around 10–24 months, depending on USCIS workload and location. Adjustment of Status applications often take another 10–14 months, though exact timing may differ by case. Applicants can check estimated timelines on the USCIS Processing Times page and track their case online once a receipt number is issued.
Mary:
What are the biggest mistakes people make?
TheImmiQuest:
“Common issues that slow down or cause problems in applications include:”
- Filing incomplete or wrong forms
- Forgetting to submit proof of lawful entry (I-94 record)
- Not disclosing immigration violations or prior overstays
- Not updating the address with USCIS (Form AR-11)
- Missing deadlines or ignoring notices
- Travelling internationally without the right travel permit during a pending application.
Understanding these points helps applicants stay prepared and avoid unnecessary delays.
Mary:
Will there be an interview?
TheImmiQuest:
Yes, in most marriage-based Adjustment of Status cases, USCIS schedules an interview at the local field office. Officers typically ask about the couple’s relationship history, shared life, living arrangements, and future plans to verify the marriage’s authenticity. Applicants should answer truthfully and bring original supporting documents.
Mary:
What happens if someone travels outside the U.S. while waiting?
TheImmiQuest:
If travel occurs before filing for a Green Card, it usually doesn’t affect status as long as lawful status is maintained.
However, once a Green Card application is filed, leaving the U.S. without an approved Advance Parole (Form I-131) generally causes USCIS to consider the application abandoned.
That’s why USCIS recommends applying for Advance Parole if the applicant needs to travel while the AOS case is pending.
Organizing Your Documents:
TheImmiQuest
Here’s a general checklist of documents applicants typically prepare for this process:
- Valid passport and visa
- I-94 (your arrival/departure record)
- Marriage certificate
- Copy of sponsoring spouse’s Green Card
- Visa history documents (School Transcripts, I-20s, approval letters)
- Passport-style photos
- Evidence of a genuine marriage (joint lease, joint bills, bank statements, photos, etc.)
Reviewing and organizing these documents before submission can make the process smoother.
Mary:
This makes everything much clearer. I thought we could just file everything at once.
TheImmiQuest:
Many people assume that, but it depends on visa availability. Filing the I-130 first establishes the foundation, and then the Green Card step follows when the priority date is current.
Mary:
Thank you. This makes so much more sense now.
TheImmiQuest:
You’re very welcome. The Adjustment of Status process can feel overwhelming at first, but understanding how it works, the timing, categories, and required forms makes a big difference.
A Green Card through marriage gives couples the opportunity to live together permanently in the U.S., so taking time to prepare well is always worthwhile.
Final Takeaway
If you’re married to a Green Card holder, the general process begins with filing Form I-130. After USCIS approves it and your priority date becomes current, you may be eligible to apply for Adjustment of Status in the U.S. Those who are not eligible to adjust in the U.S. usually complete their process through Consular Processing abroad.