Green Card Application                                               

When immigrants are granted the right to live in the United States permanently, they are issued a new identification card, commonly known as the green card, to prove their permanent resident status ("LPR").  Getting a green card through family members who already have a green card is common, although the petitioner must prove that he or she is financially able to sponsor the beneficiary.

    Required Documents

    • From both the Petitioner and Beneficiary:
      1. Passport photos
      2. Valid proof of U.S. citizenship or LPR status
      3. Copies of all certified divorce decree, if applicable.
      4. Copies of all death certificate, if applicable.
    • From only the Petitioner:
      1. Tax record from current year (W-2)
      2. Current paycheck stub or work letter
      3. Tax statement from previous 3 years. 
    • From only the Beneficiary:
      1. Proof of valid entry into the United States, unless eligible for 245(i) protection.
      2. Marriage certificate, if married to a United States citizen or LPR.
      3. Birth Certificate

    Immigration Fees 

USCIS charges $355 for I-130, $1010 for I-485 (including biometrics, work card, and advance parol)   

Remove Green Card Condition                                                 

When a green card petition is approved based on a valid marriage to a U.S. citizen, USCIS will issue a conditional card that lasts two years.  A few months before the end of the two years, the beneficiary must file with the petitioner to remove the condition attached to the green card.  At this point, they must prove one more time that they are still living together as husband and wife and that their relationship is still bona fide under the law.

    Immigration Fee

USCIS charges $545 (filing + biometrics) and + $80 biometric fee for each dependent included in the petition.

Fiancee Visa (K-1)                                                       

K-1 Visa is for fiancee of United States citizen who is currently residing abroad.  The petition will be filed domestically and eventually be forwarded to the appropriate U.S. consulate for processing.  Once approved, the beneficiary (foreign fiancee) will be issued a K-1 visa to enter the United States to get married within 90 days with the petitioner.  K-1 visa beneficiaries cannot change their status domestically and must marry the petitioner who filed the K-1 visa for them. 

The petitioner must be able to show that he and the beneficiary fiancee met in person within two years before filing this petition.  The petitioner also should prepare a detailed statement describing the circumstances under which both parties met.

    Immigration Fee

USCIS charges $455 for the I-129 petition.

Spouse Visa (K-3)                                                        

The Legal Immigration Family Equity Act (LIFE Act) established the K3 visa category within the immigration law allowing spouses of U.S. citizens to enter the U.S. in a nonimmigrant visa category while they wait until they are able to apply for lawful permanent residence status.  The petitioner is required to submit the I-130 as the first step to demonstrate marital relationship, and subsequently the I-129 for the issuance of visa.  Once the spouse arrive with the K-3 visa, the petitioner can proceed with the adjustment of status (green card) petition.

    Immigration Fees

USCIS charges $355 for the I-130, and $455 for the I-129 petition.

 Change of Status (between NIV)                                             

Foreign nationals who are present here in the United States with a non-immigrant visa ("NIV") sometimes have to change their non-immigrant visa due to changed circumstances.  In general, you may apply to change your nonimmigrant status if you were lawfully admitted into the United States with a nonimmigrant visa, your nonimmigrant status remains valid, and you have not committed any crimes that would make you ineligible.

    Immigration Fee

USCIS charges $300 for the I-539 petition.

Extend Existing Nonimmigrant Visa                                       

Certain nonimmigrant visa are eligible for an extension, such as B1/B2 tourist visa.  Whether the extension is granted is based on the legitimacy of the reason provided with respect to the nonimmigrant visa's intended use.  If the foreign national has not otherwise violated or overstayed the nonimmigrant visa, an extension may be granted to allow longer stay within the United States. 

    Immigration Fee

USCIS charges $300 for the I-539 petition.