Los Angeles Adjustment of Status Lawyer
GS LAW, APC helps individuals and families pursue lawful permanent residence from within the United States. We assist with eligibility review, application preparation, supporting evidence, USCIS interviews, and potential complications that may affect the adjustment-of-status process.
Clear Guidance
Careful Preparation
Personal Attention
BECOMING A PERMANENT RESIDENT
Can You Apply for a
Green Card From Within
the United States?
Adjustment of status allows certain eligible applicants who are already in the United States to apply for lawful permanent residence without returning to their home country for consular processing.
This option can help you remain with your family, continue working, and avoid the risks of travel, while we guide you through every requirement.
Speak With an
Immigration Attorney
Every case is unique. Let us help you understand your options and build the right strategy.
Call (213) 725-2919
WHO MAY QUALIFY
Adjustment of Status May Be Available Through
Marriage to a U.S. Citizen
We help spouses of U.S. citizens pursue lawful permanent residence through adjustment of status or consular processing, depending on their circumstances.
Employment-Based Cases
Workers may qualify for permanent residence through employer sponsorship, approved job offers, extraordinary ability, advanced degrees, or other employment-based immigration categories.
Family-Based Petitions
U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents may petition for qualifying relatives, including spouses, children, parents, and siblings, depending on their status.
Humanitarian & Special Categories
We assist eligible individuals with asylum, U visas, VAWA, TPS, and other humanitarian or special immigration programs available under federal law.
THE ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS PROCESS
Case Evaluation
We review your situation and confirm eligibility for Adjustment of Status.
Petition and Application
We prepare and file all required forms and supporting documents.
Biometrics and Evidence
You attend biometrics appointment and we submit any additional evidence needed.
Interview
You attend your interview, and USCIS makes a decision on your application.
WHY LEGAL GUIDANCE MATTERS
Small Issues Can Have Major Consequences
Unlawful Presence
Overstays and gaps in status can affect your eligibility and future options.
Prior Immigration History
Previous filings, denials, or violations may create complex challenges.
Crimes or Misrepresentation
Certain issues can lead to inadmissibility and serious long-term consequences
We identify potential problems before an application is filed.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Adjustment of Status FAQs
Who is eligible to adjust status?
Adjustment of status allows certain individuals who are already present in the United States to apply for lawful permanent residence—commonly called a green card—without completing the immigrant-visa process at a U.S. consulate abroad.
Eligibility depends on several factors. Generally, an applicant must qualify for permanent residence through an approved or concurrently filed family-based petition, employment-based petition, humanitarian program, or another recognized immigration category. In many cases, the applicant must have been inspected and admitted or paroled into the United States, have an immigrant visa immediately available, and be admissible to the United States or qualify for any necessary waivers.
Marriage to a U.S. citizen does not automatically guarantee eligibility. The applicant’s manner of entry, immigration history, criminal record, prior removal proceedings, prior applications, and other circumstances must be carefully evaluated. Certain applicants may also qualify under special provisions such as INA § 245(i), VAWA, or other exceptions. Because every case is different, an individualized legal evaluation is important before filing Form I-485.
Can I apply after overstaying a visa?
Possibly. Certain immediate relatives of U.S. citizens may still qualify for adjustment of status after overstaying an authorized period of admission. Immediate relatives generally include the spouse of a U.S. citizen, the unmarried child under 21 of a U.S. citizen, and the parent of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old.
However, an overstay and an entry without inspection are not the same. In most cases, the immediate-relative exception does not eliminate the requirement that the applicant have been inspected and admitted or paroled into the United States. People who entered without inspection may need to pursue consular processing, qualify under INA § 245(i), or establish eligibility through another exception.
Overstaying can also create additional concerns if the person leaves the United States, has a prior removal order, made a false claim to U.S. citizenship, committed fraud or misrepresentation, or has other immigration or criminal issues. You should obtain legal advice before filing an application or departing the United States.
Can I work while my case is pending?
A pending adjustment-of-status application does not, by itself, give every applicant permission to work. Unless you already possess valid employment authorization through another immigration status or category, you generally must apply for and receive an Employment Authorization Document before beginning employment. Many adjustment applicants may submit Form I-765 with their Form I-485 or while the Form I-485 remains pending. USCIS must approve the employment-authorization application and issue the work permit before the applicant may rely on it for employment. Filing the application alone is not the same as receiving authorization. Working without authorization can have serious immigration consequences, although certain exceptions may apply, including for some immediate relatives of U.S. citizens. Because the effect of unauthorized employment depends on the applicant’s immigration category and history, applicants should obtain individualized advice rather than assume that marriage or a pending green-card case automatically permits employment.
Will I need an interview?
How long does the process take?
There is no single processing time that applies to every adjustment-of-status case. The timeline depends on the applicant’s eligibility category, the USCIS field office handling the case, visa availability, the need for an interview, background checks, and whether USCIS requests additional evidence. After filing, USCIS ordinarily issues receipt notices and may schedule a biometrics appointment. The agency may then request additional documentation, schedule an interview, or decide the application based on the existing record when an interview is waived. A Request for Evidence, missing documentation, case transfer, or legal complication can add significant time to the process. USCIS processing times change regularly and are estimates rather than guaranteed completion dates. Applicants should continue maintaining any valid immigration status when required, keep their address current with USCIS, and promptly respond to official notices while the application remains pending.
What kind of experience does your office have with Adjustment of Status?
Attorney Gabriel Sandoval has practiced law since 2010 and represents individuals and families in a wide range of immigration matters, including family-based petitions and applications for adjustment of status. GS LAW, APC assists clients throughout the process—from evaluating eligibility and identifying potential complications to preparing the required applications, organizing supporting evidence, responding to Requests for Evidence, and preparing clients for USCIS interviews. The firm understands that even a seemingly straightforward case can involve important questions concerning a person’s entry into the United States, prior immigration history, unlawful presence, unauthorized employment, criminal history, financial sponsorship, or eligibility for a waiver. Our approach is to carefully evaluate each client’s circumstances, explain the available options in understandable terms, and prepare a thorough application supported by appropriate documentation. Representation is available in both English and Spanish.