New York City Immigration Lawyer. NYC immigration lawyer assisting with K-1 fiancee visas, EB 1-A Extraordinary Abilities Visa, EB 1-2 Outstanding Researchers and Professors Visa, and all other visas, green cards, naturalization and citizenship. Gafner Law Firm is a full service NYC immigration law firm serving clients in Manhattan, Staten Island, Brookyln, the Bronx, Queens, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Westchester County, Yonkers, Astoria, Greenpoint, Murray Hill, Bushwick, Park Slope, Bay Ridge, Brighton Beach, Brownsville, Corona, Harlem, SoHo, Tribeca, Longwood, Hunts Point, Flatbush, Brooklyn Heights, Wall Street, Jersey City and from throughout the world. » I-485

USCIS to Issue Joint Advance Parole and Work Authorization Document for Family Immigration Petitions

Chris Gafner — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 12:10:40 +0000

The USCIS has announced that it will soon begin issuing joint advance parole and work authorization documents for applicants seeking family-based immigration petitions.

Normally, when an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen seeks to obtain permanent residency in the United States, the applicant will file an “adjustment of status” application and will concurrently file an application for work authorization and an application for advance parole. Advance parole will allow the applicant to travel outside of the United States while the application is pending. The work authorization document will provide evidence of the applicant’s ability to work lawfully.

Previously, the work authorization and the advance parole document were two separate documents that would arrive at roughly the same time. The move to make one unique form that covers both work authorization and advance parole is an efficient move in the right direction for USCIS.

If you are thinking about applying for permanent residency through a family member, please contact an family immigration lawyer who can ensure you receive all of the benefits afforded to you.

New I-485 Form and Procedures

Chris Gafner — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 10:22:55 +0000

The USCIS recently announced new procedures for the filing of the I-485 form. Additionally, the USCIS has created a new I-485 form that must be used by all applicants who need to adjust status to permanent residency.

The I-485 form allows foreign nationals to “adjust status” and become lawful permanent residents in the United States and is very widely used. Failure to adhere to the new procedures, or to use the new form, will result in the rejection of the application and may have lasting consequences on individuals who are nearing the end of their lawful presence in the United States.

The new procedures in the I-485 generally represent a change in filing locations for the forms. Additionally, the new form itself has many changes including a question about whether a foreign national has received any military training, and whether the foreign national has understood every question asked on the form.

If you are contemplating using the I-485, please contact a New York City immigration attorney to assist you.

New I-485 Form and Location Effective March 29

Chris Gafner — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:27:53 +0000

The USCIS has recently announced that a new I-485 form has been published and that all new applicants will need to use the form beginning before March 29. Additionally, the USCIS has announced a change in the location that I-485s are filed. The change in location is meant to facilitate a quicker means by which attorneys and applicants can follow their applications.

Form I-485 is used by foreign nationals who possess (or are applying for) immigrant visas using form I-130 or form I-140. The I-485 allows for foreign nationals to adjust status to lawful permanent residency.