After submitting Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), you enter a critical phase where certain rules and procedures govern your stay in the U.S. Understanding this period is essential for maintaining a valid application and avoiding complications.
Work and Travel Authorization
The most common concern during the waiting period is the ability to work and travel outside the U.S. Applicants typically address this by filing concurrently for a temporary permit often referred to as the EAD/Advance Parole combo card:
- Work Authorization: You must receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by filing Form I-765 before you can legally work, unless you already hold a nonimmigrant status that permits work (like an H-1B).
- International Travel: Leaving the U.S. without an Advance Parole Document, obtained by filing Form I-131, is generally considered an automatic abandonment of your pending I-485 application. It is crucial to have this document before any temporary travel abroad. For detailed guidance, check the Travel Documents page.
- Read also:-
- U.S. Family-Based Immigration: A Detailed Guide to Visa Procedures
- How to get a U.S. Employment-Based Immigrant Visas
- How to check your US immigration case status and find processing times.
Case Monitoring and Compliance
The responsibility is on the applicant to monitor their case status and ensure all contact information is up-to-date.
- Check Case Status and Times: You can track your individual case status using your receipt number on the official Case Status Online tool. For general estimates, refer to the USCIS Processing Times page.
- Update Your Address: If you move while your application is pending, you are legally required to update your address within 10 days of moving. Changing your address with the U.S. Postal Service is not sufficient; you must report the change directly to USCIS via their Change of Address Information page. Failure to do so may result in missed notices, including interview or Request for Evidence (RFE) appointments.
