If you’re applying for an Adjustment of Status, this is your starting point, your guide, your roadmap, and your reassurance that you don’t have to figure it all out alone.
For many immigrants living in Chicago, the Adjustment of Status (AOS) process is one of the most meaningful steps toward stability in the United States. It’s the moment where hope for a permanent future begins to feel real.
But let’s be honest. Between government forms, legal requirements, and long wait times, the process can feel intimidating.
At Cho Immigration Law in Chicago, we talk with people almost every day who feel exactly the way you do; hopeful, nervous, excited, and maybe a bit overwhelmed. That’s why we created this approachable guide: to help you understand the process with clarity and confidence, in a down-to-earth voice that makes sense for real people.
What Is Adjustment of Status?
Adjustment of Status is the process that allows someone already inside the United States to apply for a green card without returning to their home country for consular processing. It’s a huge advantage for many Chicago residents because it means staying close to family, work, school, and the community you’ve built.
Once approved, you become a lawful permanent resident, a major milestone that opens the door to future opportunities, stability, and eventually citizenship.
If Chicago is where you’ve put down roots, whether on the North Side, South Side, or right in the heart of downtown, Adjustment of Status lets you continue your life here while your case moves forward.
Who Qualifies for Adjustment of Status?
Not everyone can apply for AOS, and knowing whether you qualify is the very first step. Generally, applicants must:
- Be physically present in the U.S.
- Have a valid reason to apply (marriage to a U.S. citizen, employment sponsorship, asylum, certain humanitarian programs, etc.)
- Have entered the U.S. legally, unless exempt under special rules
- Not be barred by specific immigration or criminal issues
Some people say they don’t think they qualify, when they actually do. Others assume they qualify when they don’t. Immigration law in Chicago, and nationwide, can be surprisingly technical.
If your situation involves visa overstays, entry without inspection, previous denials, or a complicated history, that does not automatically mean the end of the road. Many people still have options, especially with the right legal guidance.
Why Many Chicago Immigrants Choose Adjustment of Status
Immigrant communities are the heartbeat of Chicago: Little Village, Albany Park, Uptown, Edgewater, Pilsen, Rogers Park, and beyond. Applying for AOS allows you to stay part of those communities while working toward a green card.
Some of the biggest benefits include:
You Stay With Your Family
No risky travel abroad. No separation.
You Can Get a Work Permit
Most AOS applicants receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) while waiting, which is crucial for supporting your household.
You Can Apply for Advance Parole
Advance Parole allows travel internationally while your case is pending.
(But please, never travel without legal advice, some applicants risk losing their case by doing so.)
You Avoid Consular Processing Delays
Consular processing can mean long waits, unpredictable interviews, and sometimes multi-year separation. AOS keeps your process local and predictable.
The Adjustment of Status Process: What to Expect
While every case is unique, most Chicago applicants follow a similar AOS timeline. Here’s a clear, step-by-step outline:
1. Prepare Your Application Package
This involves gathering:
- Identification documents
- Immigration records
- Birth or marriage certificates
- Financial evidence
- Relationship evidence (for marriage-based cases)
- Photos and required forms
This is where many delays happen, simply due to missing items. Careful preparation matters.
2. File Your Forms
Depending on your case, you may need some or all of the following:
- Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status)
- Form I-130 (Family Petition)
- Form I-765 (Work Permit Application)
- Form I-131 (Advance Parole)
- Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support)
Submitting everything correctly and completely can save months of delays.
3. Attend Your Biometrics Appointment
You’ll be scheduled at a Chicago USCIS Application Support Center for fingerprints and photos.
4. Receive Your Work and Travel Permits
Most applicants receive these within several months, allowing them to legally work in Chicago while waiting for the green card decision.
5. Go to Your Interview
Most family-based and many employment-based cases require an in-person interview at the Chicago USCIS Field Office. This is a big day, but with preparation, you can walk in feeling confident and ready.
6. Receive a Decision
If approved, your green card arrives in the mail. If additional information is needed, USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence (RFE).
Common Mistakes That Slow Down or Jeopardize Your Application
As friendly as this guide aims to be, we need to be honest: one small error can delay your case by months, or even cause a denial. Chicago applicants frequently run into these issues:
- Missing required documents
- Incorrect filing fees
- Insufficient marriage evidence
- Unsigned forms
- Affidavit of Support mistakes
- Traveling abroad without Advance Parole
- Using outdated instructions found on blogs or forums
AOS is too important to leave to chance. Getting it right the first time makes all the difference.
Why Work With Cho Immigration Law
You deserve more than generic advice, you deserve a legal team that knows you, your background, your goals, and the local Chicago landscape. At Cho Immigration Law, we’ve spent years helping immigrants build safe and stable futures right here in Illinois.
Clients choose us because we are:
- Local: We’ve handled thousands of Chicago cases and understand our USCIS office patterns.
- Approachable: No confusing legal jargon, no judgment.
- Protective: We treat your case like it’s our own family’s future on the line.
- Experienced: We’ve seen every type of AOS case, from straightforward to highly complex.
- Honest: You’ll know what to expect, what’s realistic, and what comes next.
When you trust us with your Adjustment of Status case, we walk beside you until the moment you hold your green card, and long after, if you need us.
How to Emotionally Prepare for the Process
Yes, AOS is paperwork, but it’s also emotional. Many of our clients feel nervous, hopeful, or unsure. Here’s what helps:
Be Honest and Consistent
Your story matters. Tell it clearly and truthfully.
Stay Organized
Create one folder with all documents, receipts, and notices.
Expect Waiting
Delays don’t mean something is wrong. They’re normal.
Lean on Support
Friends, family, and legal counsel all help you stay grounded.
You don’t have to go through this alone, ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does Adjustment of Status take in Chicago?
Most cases take 12–24 months, but timelines vary by category and USCIS workload.
2. Can I travel while my Adjustment of Status is pending?
Only with an approved Advance Parole document. Leaving without it will cancel your application.
3. Do I need a lawyer to file for Adjustment of Status?
It’s not required, but many applicants choose legal support to avoid mistakes, delays, and unnecessary risks.
Ready to Apply? Let Cho Immigration Law Guide You
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, unsure where to start, or worried about making a mistake, reach out to us. This is what we do every single day for the Chicago immigrant community.
Your future deserves the strongest possible foundation. Let’s build it together. Call Cho Immigration Law at 312-853-3088.
