Adjustment of Status Lawyer Manassas, VA
If you are applying for lawful permanent residence from within the United States, the process is known as adjustment of status. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. assists individuals and families in Manassas, Virginia, with this critical immigration step. Mr. Sris, the firm’s Owner and Founder, and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring extensive combined legal experience to adjustment of status matters, working to manage documentation, meet filing requirements, and address obstacles that may arise with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or the Immigration Court. For Manassas residents, adjustment of status applications are generally processed at the USCIS Washington District Office in Fairfax, while removal defense matters are heard at the Arlington Immigration Court. To discuss your eligibility and the steps involved, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What Adjustment of Status Means in Manassas, Virginia
Adjustment of status allows a noncitizen who is already physically present in the United States to apply for lawful permanent resident status—commonly called a green card—without leaving the country. The process is governed by the Immigration and Nationality Act, including 8 U.S.C. § 1255, and is administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). For residents of Manassas, the USCIS Washington District Office, located at 2675 Prosperity Avenue in Fairfax, handles affirmative applications, such as those based on a family petition or employment-based eligibility. In limited circumstances, an individual in removal proceedings may also seek adjustment of status before an immigration judge at the Arlington Immigration Court, 1901 South Bell Street, Arlington, VA 22202.
Manassas residents pursuing adjustment of status must navigate rigorous documentation requirements, including proof of a qualifying relationship, financial support, medical examination, and biometrics. Government filing fees are a practical concern: the I-485 application currently carries a fee of $1,440; the biometrics fee is $85; and a family petition (Form I-130) carries a separate filing fee. Fee waivers may be available on Form I-912 for income-eligible applicants. These administrative requirements are subject to change, and working with an attorney helps avoid errors that can cause delays or denials.
Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys appear routinely in immigration matters affecting the Manassas community, including family-based adjustment of status, applications for immediate relatives of U.S. Citizens, and cases requiring waivers of inadmissibility. Because Manassas falls within the service area of the Fairfax location of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., clients benefit from accessible legal guidance without needing to travel far for consultations. Results may vary.
How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle Adjustment of Status Cases
When a Manassas resident retains Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. for an adjustment of status matter, the process begins with a careful review of eligibility under the applicable immigrant visa category. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys examine the client’s immigration history, the basis for the green card, and any potential bars to admissibility, such as prior unlawful presence or certain criminal convictions. They then prepare the complete I-485 package, ensuring that supporting documents—birth certificates, marriage certificates, financial affidavits, and medical exams—are properly organized and timely filed with the appropriate USCIS service center or local field office.
Throughout the case, the firm monitors correspondence from USCIS, responds to requests for evidence (RFEs), and prepares clients for interviews that are typically conducted at the Fairfax field office. If a case is referred to immigration court—for example, because the applicant was placed in removal proceedings after a denial or because of a prior order—Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys are prepared to litigate the adjustment application before the Arlington Immigration Court. In those adversarial proceedings, they present evidence of eligibility, cross-examine government witnesses, and argue legal points to the immigration judge. The firm’s multi-state practice also means that if a client’s immigration case intersects with other legal matters—such as criminal charges or family law issues arising in Virginia—the team can address those interconnections without the client having to coordinate multiple law firms.
About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys
Mr. Sris is the Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. A former prosecutor, he has practiced in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York since 1997. His background in the courtroom informs his approach to immigration cases, where he understands both the government’s enforcement perspective and the client’s need for a thorough, well-prepared filing. Mr. Sris has testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova).
The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring additional depth to immigration practice, including experience drawn from prior public-service roles and extensive time in Virginia’s courts. Together, Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys have documented case results across all practice areas since 1997. Results may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is adjustment of status, and how does it differ from consular processing?
Adjustment of status is the process of applying for a green card from inside the United States, while consular processing requires the applicant to attend an interview at a U.S. Embassy or consulate abroad. Adjustment of status is generally available to individuals who entered the U.S. Lawfully and are eligible under a visa category that allows for adjustment. Consular processing is used when the applicant cannot or does not wish to adjust status in the U.S. Each path has different forms, fees, and timelines. For Manassas residents, adjustment applications are filed with USCIS and sometimes adjudicated at the Fairfax field office.
How long does adjustment of status take in Virginia?
Processing timelines for adjustment of status in Virginia vary widely depending on the visa category and USCIS workload, but immediate relative cases often take eight to fourteen months. Family preference categories can involve much longer waits, sometimes exceeding five years because of annual numerical limits and per-country backlogs. Employment-based cases typically take twelve to thirty-six months or more. Manassas applicants should anticipate waiting for the USCIS Washington District Office to schedule biometrics, interviews, and final adjudication. An experienced attorney can help track the case and address delays.
What government fees are associated with adjustment of status?
The I-485 application fee is currently $1,440, plus an $85 biometrics fee in most cases; additional fees apply if a family petition or employment-based petition is filed concurrently. For example, the I-130 family petition carries a separate filing fee. Applicants under the age of 14 or over 79 may pay a reduced biometrics fee. Fee waivers are available on Form I-912 for individuals who can demonstrate an inability to pay; eligibility is based on income, receipt of means-tested benefits, or other financial hardship. Because USCIS fees are subject to change, consulting with counsel ensures the correct amount is paid.
Can I adjust status if I entered the United States without inspection?
Generally, individuals who entered without inspection are not eligible to adjust status, but certain exceptions—such as 245(i) protection—may allow adjustment under specific conditions. Section 245(i) of the INA permits certain individuals who are otherwise ineligible to adjust upon payment of a penalty fee, provided a qualifying petition or labor certification was filed on or before April 30, 2001. Additional exceptions exist for VAWA self-petitioners, certain Special Immigrant Juveniles, and others. Eligibility is highly fact-specific, and a careful legal review is necessary before filing.
What happens if my adjustment of status application is denied?
If USCIS denies an adjustment of status application, the applicant may be placed in removal proceedings, especially if the person is no longer in a valid nonimmigrant status. In removal proceedings before the Arlington Immigration Court, the individual can renew the adjustment application before an immigration judge and may also pursue other forms of relief, such as cancellation of removal, asylum, or voluntary departure. Denials can result from insufficient evidence, ineligibility under a particular category, or criminal grounds. An attorney can help evaluate the denial notice and determine an appropriate $1 forward, including motions to reopen or reconsider.
Related Resources
Immigration Lawyer Fairfax County •
Immigration Lawyer Fairfax (City) •
Immigration Lawyer Falls Church (City) •
Immigration Lawyer Prince William County •
Immigration Lawyer Manassas Park (City)
Official Sources
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) •
Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) •
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Results may vary.