Steps to take when you have a pending green card application

 Posted on November 01, 2021 in green cards

It is no secret that immigration laws have a high level of complexity. This rings true if you hope to get a green card for any of the valid reasons available to you.

Even after you have successfully applied, you still need to follow certain steps to make sure your application remains active.

Stay engaged

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services emphasizes the importance of keeping a current address on file with the agency. While this seems like a simple task, failure to do so could result in missed information that is crucial to your application.

It is not enough to change your address with the U.S. Postal Service. You should update your address with USCIS. You should do this within 10 days of your move. The agency has a change of address information page that allows you to perform this action quickly.

Get educated

To help alleviate worry, you can learn about the average time it takes to process a form I-485 or a green card application. If you believe your application is outside the normal time limits, you have several options:

• Go to a case status online page that allows you to look up your case
• Submit a case inquiry to find out why your case could take longer
• Call a USCIS contact center and speak with a person

You should also learn about potential travel restrictions that could apply to your situation. In some cases, leaving the country without approval or filing the proper paperwork could result in an abandoned application. Learning more about the green card process gives you the best chance of success.