Quote:
Originally Posted by powerfitness
Hey Everyone,
I just got married and plan on filing the paperwork to get my green card! Is it easy to self file? I was going to go through a paralegal that my whole family used but with the pandemic going about I have to wait, kind of want to do it on my own. Recommendations? I don't even know where to begin, I was paroled in with AP 3 years ago.
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I self-filed my AOS application a couple months ago. It's pretty straight forward if you do not have any complications (like deportation orders, arrests, etc.), it's just A LOT of paper work. It took me like 7 solid days with little to no sleep to put it together (I was trying to send it in before the new public charge rule went into effect on Feb. 24).
My advise is that you start doing it yourself and see how far you can get while this COVID-19 crisis dies down. Application processing by USCIS is likely delayed; there's no biometrics appointments while all the application support center offices are closed so there's no pressure for you to send it in promptly. Take your time with it and answer everything carefully and truthfully. If you get stuck and need help, you can research online or ask questions here.
To get you started, here is the list of applications you will need:
- Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative
- Form I-130A Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary
- Form I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
- Form I-864 Affidavit of Support
- I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (this optional if you want an EAD)
- I-693 Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (this one is filled by the doctor that does your medical exam)
There's a new public charge category in the I-485 form (which is what I avoided when I sent my application in). Depending on whether you're exempt or not, you might have to also fill out a I-944 form. Make sure you read the instructions for the I-485 carefully to figure out what to do there.