Form I-485 Questions

1. What is an I-94 number?

It is the number listed on the arrival/departure record (3 in. x 3 in. white card) that was issued to you at the time of your admission into the United States.  It is located on the upper left hand corner of the card.

2.   What is an "A" number, and how do I know if I have one?

An "A" number stands for an Alien Registration Number.   Most aliens who enter the United States on a nonimmigrant visa will not have an "A" number.  The I-94 card issued to the alien by an inspecting officer may be annotated to reflect an A number, but this is completely separate from the I-94 number listed on upper left hand corner of the card.  An "A" number will be assigned to an alien when the alien's Form I-485 application is filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

3. What is my date of last arrival?

It is the date you were last entered the United States.  This date was stamped on your I-94 card issued to you by the inspecting officer at the time of your entry into the United States. 

4. How do I find my nonimmigrant visa number?

 Your nonimmigrant visa number is located on the visa that was issued to you by the U.S. embassy or consulate.  It is not the I-94 number or the "A" number.  The visa number is a series of digits located on the middle, right side of the visa.  There is nothing on the visa to indicate that this series of digits is a visa number. The visa number is usually in red ink.  The visa number is not the Control Number listed on the visa.

5. What is the place of last entry?

The place of last entry is the U.S. port of entry that you used to last enter the United States.  The visa admission stamp on the I-94 card issued to you by the inspecting officer will have an abbreviation on it, designating the port of entry.

6. May I sign the Form I-485 application for my child?

Yes.  If your child is under 14 years of age, you may sign the Form I-485 and Form I-131 on their behalf.  However, we recommend that if your child is under 14 years of age, and he or she is capable of signing their name, that they do so.

7. Do I need to sign a separate Form G-28 for each application that I file with the USCIS? 

Yes.  A separate Form G-28 is required for each of the Form I-485, Form I-765, and Form I-131.  If the alien is filing all three applications, three Form G-28s are required.

8. Do I need to obtain and submit photographs for my child, who is under 14 years of age?

 Yes.  All applicants, regardless of age, are required to submit two photographs with each application that is filed.

1. Is it OK to wear glasses when I have the photographs taken?

Yes.  However, the photographs will not be acceptable if there is glare from the lenses in the photographs.

10. On page one (1) of the Adjustment of Status Questionnaire that I received there is a section entitled, "Visa Application Type."  Which item should I mark in this section?

 In employment-based green card cases, the principal applicant will mark item "a".  All derivative applicants will mark item "b". 

11. On page three (3) of the Adjustment of Status Questionnaire that I received, there is a question that asks if an immigrant visa petition has ever been filed by me or on my behalf.  What is an immigrant visa petition?

An immigrant visa petition is a petition that is filed with the USCIS on behalf of a foreign national by a U.S. employer, or a U.S. citizen who is the spouse, parent, or sibling of the foreign national.  The petition may also be filed by a U.S. green card holder who is the spouse of the foreign national.  In some rare cases, the foreign national may file a petition on his or her own behalf.  The filing and approval of the visa petition is a pre-requisite in order for the foreign national to receive a green card.  There are, generally, two types of immigrant visa petitions - - - Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130) and Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker (Form I-140).  If a Form I-130 or Form I-140 was filed with the USCIS on your behalf by a relative or U.S. company in the past, other than the Form I-140 that your current employment-based Form I-485 application we are getting ready to file is based on, then the answer to this question is "Yes".  You will need to provide evidence (i.e., copy of the Form I-130 or Form I-140 receipt or approval notice) of the prior petition to our office.

12. On page two (2) of the Adjustment of Status Questionnaire, there is a question that asks "Working Since" right after I provide my telephone number for the last residence outside of the U.S.  Does "Working Since" relate to the telephone number of my prior residence, or does it relate to my employment history?

 "Working Since" on page two (2) of the Adjustment of Status Questionnaire, relates to your employment history/job information.  If you are currently employed, please provide the date that you began your current employment where it indicates "Working Since".

Fingerprinting Questions

1. Do I require my original ASC Appointment Notice for fingerprinting?

No.  You can take a clear copy of your ASC Appointment Notice to the Application Support Center to be fingerprinted.

1. Do I need to appear at the Application Support Center listed on my ASC Appointment Notice?

No.  You may appear at ANY Application Support Center for your fingerprinting appointment at the scheduled date/time on your notice.

1. I cannot attend my fingerprinting appointment on the scheduled date listed on my ASC Appointment Notice.  What do I do?

You need to re-schedule your appointment as soon as possible by following the instructions listed on the bottom of your ASC Appointment Notice.

Form I-134 Questions

1. Who completes and signs the Form I-134?

The Form I-134 is completed and signed by the principal applicant.  It must be notarized, as well.

2. Do I need a separate Form I-134 for each person in my immediate family who is filing a Form I-485 application with me?

Yes.  A separate Form I-134 needs to accompany each Form I-485 application for each derivative applicant.

3. Since my spouse is currently employed in H-1B status, do I still need to submit a Form I-134 for him/her?

Yes.  We recommend that a Form I-134 accompany your spouse's Form I-485 application, even if your spouse is currently employed. 

4. Do I need to provide evidence of my assets (i.e., bank account statements, real estate purchase agreements, etc.) with the Form I-134 when it is submitted with an employment-based Form I-485 application?

Generally, the principal applicant's salary is more than enough to exceed the poverty threshold under the government's poverty guidelines, so evidence of the principal applicant's assets is not required. 

5. Do I need to complete Question #11 on the Form I-134? 

No.  Question #11 on the Form I-134 applies only if the Form I-134 is being submitted in connection with a nonimmigrant visa application.  It is not applicable when the Form I-134 is being submitted with a Form I-485 application.

6. Do I really need to list all of the individuals that I have filed a Form I-134 for in the past?

Yes.  Please provide the names of the individuals and the dates the Form I-134s were submitted.

Travel and Entry/Exit Questions

1. Is my Advance Parole Document good for only one trip abroad?

 No.   The Advance Parole Document may be used for multiple entries during the validity period of the document.

2. There are several original Advance Parole Documents that the USCIS mailed to me?  Why?  What do I do with them?

 The government usually mails three (3) copies of the Advance Parole Document to the foreign national after approving the case.  The foreign national should bring all three (3) copies of it when departing the U.S.  The inspecting officer will usually confiscate one each time the foreign national enters the U.S.   However, the foreign national will be allowed to keep one original to be used to re-enter the U.S. during the validity period on the document.  For any subsequent entries, the inspecting officer will make a copy of the last remaining Advance Parole Document for the government's records.

3. How long before my Advance Parole Document expires may I renew it?

 You may file an application to renew the Advance Parole Document up to 120 days prior to the expiration of the document.

Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Questions

1. How long before my EAD expires can we renew it?

 You may file an application to renew your EAD card up to 120 days prior to the expiration of the card.

Medical Examination Questions

1. How can I find a civil surgeon to perform my medical examinations for my adjustment of status application?

 You can locate a civil surgeon by going to the following web address:
https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=CIV and entering your zip code.  This will provide a list of USCIS-approved civil surgeons in your area.

Processing Time Questions

1. How can I check the status of my application online?

You can check the status of your application online by going to https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/caseStatusSearchDisplay.do;jsessionid=cbaeSH3QQl3N3a-XTsccs and entering in your receipt number without the dashes.

1. How can I tell how quickly the USCIS will process my application?

You can check the processing times of your application online by going to https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processTimesDisplay.do and selecting the appropriate service center.

1. How do I check the status of my PERM application online?

You cannot check the status of your PERM application online.  In order to obtain an update on your case, you need to contact our office or your employer.

Address Change Questions

1. I just moved, so what do I need to do to notify the USCIS?

 You must notify the USCIS within 10 days of your move by filing Form AR-11.  This can be filed online by going to the following web address: https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=coa.Terms and following the instructions.  Please remember to print your confirmation page, as this will be your only proof of submission.

H-1B Questions

1. How long before my H-1B expires can we apply for an extension?

 You can apply for an extension of your H-1B status six (6) months prior to expiration.

1. When can I begin working for my new company once my H-1B transfer is filed?

You may begin working as soon as the petition is received at the USCIS.