contact us
01 Sep 2022

My U.S. citizen brother sponsored me for a green card about 10 years ago. That case is still a long way from becoming current. Can I transfer that priority date to my I-140, which was just approved?

Answer No, unfortunately, it normally is not possible to transfer a family-based priority date to an employment-based case (or vice versa). (01.Sep.2022)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here. Access more FAQs here.  Copyright...

06:59 / Employment Based / Family Based / FAQs / For Individuals / Resident
15 Jun 2022

I am working based on an H-4 EAD, and I have a pending I-485 based on my husband’s EB2 case. My husband’s I-485 was just approved. Can I continue working based on my H-4 EAD?

Answer Once the principal spouse's green card is approved, that individual generally is no longer considered to be in H1B status. And, if the principal spouse is no longer in H1B status, the dependent spouse typically cannot be maintaining valid H-4 status (or continue to use...

21:07 / Employment Based / Family Based / FAQs / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Worker
09 Jun 2022

I am a U.S. citizen. About 5 months ago, my mother entered in B-2 status to visit me and her grandchildren. At the last minute, we decided to apply for a green card for her. I filed the I-130 and I-485 for her, and those cases are still pending. Can my mother remain in the U.S. after her I-94s expire?

Answer Ordinarily, it is possible to remain in the U.S. in a period of authorized stay based on a pending I-485 application.  (08.Jun.2022)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here. Access more FAQs...

06:45 / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / Immigrant Family / Resident / Visitor
26 May 2022

I am a U.S. citizen, and just turned 21. I would like to sponsor my parents for green cards; but as a full-time student my income is limited. Any options to still sponsor them?

Answer In completing an I-864 Affidavit of Support form, the individual sponsoring a family member for permanent residence normally must demonstrate income at a level equal to or above 125 percent of the federal poverty guideline level. If the sponsor does not have a sufficient annual...

05:55 / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / Immigrant Family / Resident
24 Mar 2022

I am a U.S. citizen and I sponsored by brother for a green card a few years ago. He is applying for an H1B visa at the consulate. Do I need to withdraw the family-based case before he applies for the visa?

Answer No, there normally would be no need to withdraw a family-based case for someone who is applying for an H1B visa. A pending family-base case typically would have no impact on the H1B visa process.  (23.Mar.2022)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies...

08:01 / Citizen / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Resident / Worker
16 Dec 2021

I filed my son’s I-485 as my dependent before he had aged out. After we applied, however, the category retrogressed. Is it possible my child could now age out?

Answer If the child qualified as a dependent at the time the I-485 was filed based on the date being current in Chart A (i.e., the final action chart), the child normally would not be at risk of aging out based on subsequent retrogression. However, if...

08:57 / AOS/CP (Family) / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / Immigrant Family / Resident
18 Nov 2021

I am a U.S. citizen and I sponsored my mother for a green card. Due to backlogs, the earliest date I could get for her appointment at the consulate is about 6 months from now. In the meantime, can she visit me on her tourist visa?

Answer Immigration officers at the U.S. ports of entry generally have discretion to admit a person on a B-1/B-2 visitor visa while that individual has a green card case pending. However, to be admitted on a B-1/B-2 visa, the foreign national typically must demonstrate a lack...

08:48 / Consulates / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / Immigrant Family / Resident / Travel / Visitor
04 Nov 2021

My I-485 was approved at the end of October. However, my wife’s I-485 is still pending, and the cutoff date has now retrogressed before my priority date. Can I sponsor her for a family-based green card? Do I have to wait a certain amount of time after getting my GC before I can sponsor someone?

Answer There is no set amount of time a lawful permanent resident must wait to sponsor a qualifying family member for a green card. Further, the fact that she has a pending employment-based green card case does not prevent her from also being sponsored for a...

06:58 / Employment Based / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Resident