Adjustment of Status Attorney

Apply for Your Green Card From Inside the U.S.

Adjustment of status lets eligible applicants already in the United States apply for permanent residence without leaving the country.

We prepare your Form I-485 and meticulously organize your supporting evidence to submit a complete, high-quality application that gives your case its strongest footing.

Why Choose Serrano Immigration

Guidance You Can Follow. Experience You Can Rely On.

Adjustment of status allows you to remain with your family while your case is processed, instead of leaving the country to wait for an answer. We understand what that means to you.

20+ Years of Immigration Experience
Focused experience across family-based and complex immigration cases.
Personal Understanding
Led by an attorney who has personally experienced the immigration journey.
Personalized Legal Strategy
Every case is evaluated to prepare the strongest application possible.
Clear Communication
Straightforward guidance and bilingual support in English and Spanish.

Attorney | Federico B. Serrano

What You Need to Know

What Is Adjustment of Status?

Adjustment of status is the process that allows eligible individuals already inside the United States to apply for a green card — lawful permanent residence — without returning to their home country. Applicants submit Form I-485 directly to USCIS to request this benefit.

To qualify, you generally must have been inspected and admitted or paroled into the United States, be physically present here, and have an immigrant visa immediately available in your category. Because the process involves several forms and detailed documentation, experienced legal support helps avoid delays and prepare the strongest case possible.

What Adjustment of Status Can Mean

It is more than paperwork. It is about:

Staying in the United States while your case is processed

Working while your application is pending

Keeping your
family together

Building toward permanent residence

Who May Qualify?

Immediate Relatives May Adjust Status (No Annual Visa Cap):

Preference & Other Categories May Adjust When a Visa Is Available:

How We Help

Complete Preparation, Not a Rushed Filing.

Evaluate Your Eligibility

We confirm which green card category fits and whether you can adjust status or need consular processing.

Prepare the Full Application

We prepare your Form I-485 and all concurrent filings—including your Affidavit of Support, work permit, and travel document requests—while providing detailed guidance to fulfill your mandatory medical examination.

Build a Strong Record

We meticulously organize your personal documentation and address any potential complexities upfront, so the officer is not left to fill in the blanks.

Respond to Requests for Evidence

If USCIS issues a Request for Evidence, we prepare a thorough, timely response.

Prepare You for the Interview

We help you get ready for your adjustment of status interview.

Real Human Support

Get answers from our team when questions arise.

Our Adjustment of Status Services

Green Card Solutions Tailored to Your Case

From marriage-based filings to employment and humanitarian categories, we help applicants move forward with experienced legal guidance tailored to their situation.

Marriage-Based Adjustment

Green cards for spouses of U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

Family-Based Adjustment

Adjustment of status for qualifying relatives
under family preference categories.

Employment-Based Adjustment

Green card filings for eligible employment based applicants.

Work Permits & Advance Parole

Concurrent filing of Form I-765 and Form I-131 to secure employment and travel authorization while your case is pending.

Adjustment vs. Consular Processing

Guidance on which path fits when you may qualify for either.

Waivers & Complex Cases

Experienced representation for inadmissibility issues,
prior unlawful presence, or immigration violations.

Client Testimonials

Trusted by families for more than 20 years

Federico Serrano is a great immigration lawyer—efficient, detail-oriented, caring, and extremely professional, with excellent knowledge of immigration law. I had a wonderful experience with him throughout my entire process and am truly grateful for all his hard work in helping me become a Permanent Resident in the U.S. I highly recommend his services to anyone in need of immigration assistance.

Client – Alexandria, VA

We are completely grateful for the service provided. Thank God and thanks to you, everything turned out perfect. An excellent professional in the field and in immigration cases. We recommend them 100%. Our attorney Serrano is very trustworthy and genuinely invested in his cases. Warm regards and many blessings.

Client – Carlos, Falls Church

Excellent service—an honest, straightforward attorney who always stays on top of the case and communicates clearly.

Client – Manassas, VA

FAQs About Adjustment of Status

Got Questions? We’re Here to Help.

Who qualifies for adjustment of status?

To adjust status, you generally must be physically present in the United States, have been inspected and admitted or paroled, and have an immigrant visa available in your category. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens — spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21 — always have a visa available and can often file right away. Family-preference and employment-based applicants must wait until their priority date is current on the Visa Bulletin before filing Form I-485.

What is the difference between adjustment of status and consular processing?

Both paths lead to a green card; the difference is where you complete the process. Adjustment of status lets an eligible applicant already in the United States apply without leaving the country. Consular processing is the route for applicants who are outside the United States, or who are not eligible to adjust internally, and it requires an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. If you may qualify for either, we can help you decide which path fits your situation.

Can I work and travel while my green card application is pending?

Yes, in most cases. You can file Form I-765 for a work permit, called an Employment Authorization Document, and Form I-131 for advance parole, either concurrently with your Form I-485 or while it is pending. Be careful with travel: if you leave the United States without an approved advance parole document, USCIS will generally treat your application as abandoned.

What is concurrent filing, and who can use it?

Concurrent filing means submitting the immigrant petition and Form I-485 at the same time, instead of waiting for the petition to be approved first. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens can file this way because a visa is always available to them. Other preference categories and employment-based applicants can file concurrently only when their priority date is current.

How long does adjustment of status take?

Processing time depends on your category, the specific USCIS field office reviewing your case, and whether an interview is scheduled. Some cases move within a matter of months, while others take longer when there are questions about eligibility or supporting evidence. Submitting a complete, well-organized filing is the best way to avoid the delays you can control.

What happens if USCIS issues a Request for Evidence on my adjustment of status application?

A Request for Evidence means USCIS needs more documentation before making a final decision on your case — often proof of a relationship, financial support, or admissibility. A Request for Evidence is not a denial, but it carries a strict deadline. A thorough, timely response is essential, because missing the deadline or answering incompletely can lead to a denial.

What if I entered the United States without inspection?

Entering without being inspected and admitted or paroled generally makes a person ineligible to adjust status, with very limited exceptions. One exception is INA 245(i), which lets certain applicants with an older qualifying petition adjust despite an unlawful entry. Others may need a waiver before pursuing a green card through consular processing. These situations carry real legal risk and should be reviewed carefully by an attorney before filing.

Has USCIS changed how it decides adjustment of status cases?

In May 2026, USCIS issued a policy memorandum reminding officers that adjustment of status is discretionary — meeting the eligibility requirements has never, by itself, guaranteed approval. The memo does not change the law, eliminate any category, or bar anyone from applying; it directs officers to weigh the positive and negative factors in each case individually. In practice, this makes a well-documented application that addresses your history directly more critical than ever.

Our Purpose

Ready to Apply for Your Green Card?

Adjustment of status can feel overwhelming because it directly impacts your daily life and the future you are actively building. Our mission is to make the process clearer, organized, and easier to navigate— allowing you to remain right where your life is while your case securely moves forward.