Adjustment of Status Lawyer Virginia, VA
Adjustment of status allows certain foreign nationals physically present in the United States to apply for lawful permanent resident status without leaving the country. The process is governed by the Immigration and Nationality Act, overseen by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and, in some cases, by the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) immigration courts. For residents of Virginia, the primary USCIS office handling adjustment of status applications is the Washington District Office at 2675 Prosperity Avenue, Fairfax, Virginia. Immigration court proceedings for Fairfax County and nearby residents take place at the Arlington Immigration Court at 1901 South Bell Street, Arlington, Virginia. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represent Virginia individuals and families in family-based adjustment of status matters, including those arising from marriage, parent-child relationships, and fiancé visas. The firm has served Virginia clients since 1997, offering multi‑state experience from offices in Fairfax, Richmond, and other locations. To discuss whether you or a family member may be eligible to adjust status, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 and schedule a consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
The current USCIS filing fee for Form I‑485 (Application to Adjust Status) is $1,440.
Source: USCIS Filing Fees.
Reviewed by Mr. Sris, admitted in Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York.
What Adjustment of Status Means in Virginia
In Virginia, adjustment of status follows federal immigration law, but the practical experience of applicants is shaped by the specific USCIS and immigration court offices that serve the commonwealth. The Washington District Office in Fairfax is the primary USCIS field office for Virginia residents, handling biometrics appointments, interviews, and adjudication of I‑485 applications. For individuals placed in removal proceedings, the Arlington Immigration Court — part of EOIR and located at 1901 South Bell Street, Arlington, VA — holds master calendar and individual hearings where an immigration judge may address adjustment of status as a form of relief if eligibility is established. Applicants outside the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area, including those in Richmond, Shenandoah Valley, and southwestern Virginia, also interact with these same offices, though biometrics collection may occasionally be completed at an Application Support Center in Norfolk or Alexandria, depending on USCIS assignment.
The eligibility requirements for adjustment of status are set by 8 U.S.C. § 1255. Generally, an applicant must have been inspected and admitted or paroled into the United States; be the beneficiary of an approved immigrant petition (typically a family-based I‑130); have an immigrant visa immediately available; and not be subject to any bars to adjustment, such as certain criminal convictions or prior immigration violations. The public‑charge ground of inadmissibility under INA § 212(a)(4) remains a consideration, and applicants must submit Form I‑864 (Affidavit of Support) demonstrating financial sponsorship. For many Virginia residents, the most common adjustment path is through an immediate relative petition filed by a U.S. Citizen spouse, parent, or adult child. Because immigration law changes frequently and administrative policies shift with each administration, consulting an experienced immigration attorney before filing is important to avoid unnecessary delays or denials.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Adjustment of Status Cases
Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel approach each adjustment of status matter by first assessing the applicant’s immigration history, family relationships, and any potential legal vulnerabilities. The firm gathers relevant documents — passports, I‑94 records, birth and marriage certificates, prior immigration filings, and criminal dispositions if applicable — to determine the most secure filing strategy. For family‑based cases, if the underlying family petition (I‑130) has not yet been approved, it is filed concurrently with the I‑485 to USCIS. The attorneys also evaluate whether any waiver (such as an I‑601 or I‑601A) is necessary to overcome inadmissibility grounds, including unlawful presence or misrepresentation issues.
Once eligibility is confirmed, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel prepare the application package with meticulous attention to detail, including the required supporting evidence and fee. They monitor case status with USCIS and respond promptly to requests for evidence (RFEs) or notices of intent to deny (NOIDs). When an interview is scheduled at the Fairfax field office, the firm prepares clients thoroughly, outlining the types of questions that may be asked and what documents to bring. If the adjustment application is contested or the individual is in removal proceedings before the Arlington Immigration Court, the Of Counsel team appears in court to argue the adjustment claim and present evidence, drawing on Mr. Sris’s substantial experience in adversarial hearings. Throughout the process, the firm’s goal is to secure a favorable decision while keeping clients informed of developments.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced immigration law in Virginia since 1997. Formerly a prosecutor, he brings a keen understanding of how government agencies, including USCIS and EOIR, evaluate applications and build their cases. Mr. Sris is part of a broader Of Counsel team that includes attorneys with extensive experience in immigration matters, government service backgrounds, and multilingual capabilities serving the diverse Virginia community.
Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience and have achieved 4,739+ documented firm-wide results across all the firm’s practice areas. Results may vary. The firm has documented thousands of case results since 1997. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). The firm’s Virginia clients are served primarily from the Fairfax Location at 4008 Williamsburg Court, Fairfax, VA 22032, with additional locations in Richmond and other areas. All meetings are by appointment; call (888) 437-7747 to schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is adjustment of status?
Adjustment of status is the process through which a person physically present in the United States applies for lawful permanent residence (a green card) without leaving the country. It is governed by 8 U.S.C. § 1255 and generally requires an approved immigrant petition, an available visa, and admissibility. Unlike consular processing, which requires traveling abroad for an immigrant visa interview, adjustment of status allows the individual to remain in the U.S. While the application is adjudicated. Many Virginia family‑based applicants adjust based on an immediate relative petition filed by a U.S. Citizen spouse or parent.
Who is eligible for adjustment of status through a family member?
Immediate relatives of U.S. Citizens — spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of citizens who are at least 21 — are the most common family‑based adjustment applicants. These categories are not subject to annual numerical visa caps, so visas are generally available. Other family preference categories (adult children, siblings) may also adjust if their priority date is current according to the Visa Bulletin. Eligibility also requires that the applicant was inspected and admitted or paroled into the U.S. And is not barred by a ground of inadmissibility such as certain criminal offenses or prior immigration violations.
How long does the adjustment of status process take in Virginia?
The timeline for adjustment of status varies by case and USCIS workload; most immediate‑relative applications filed in Virginia take between 10 and 18 months from filing to interview. Interviews are conducted at the USCIS Washington District Office in Fairfax. The clock may be longer if a request for evidence is issued or if the applicant must first obtain a waiver of inadmissibility. Immigration court cases at the Arlington Immigration Court often take considerably longer due to the court’s heavy docket. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel monitor case status and work to avoid unnecessary delays.
Can I adjust status if I entered the U.S. Without inspection?
Generally, an individual who entered the United States without inspection is not eligible for adjustment of status under INA § 245(a). Exceptions exist, such as for certain individuals who had a visa petition or labor certification filed on their behalf before April 30, 2001 (under INA § 245(i)), but those provisions are narrow and require additional fees. In most cases, a person who entered without inspection must leave the U.S. And apply for an immigrant visa abroad through consular processing, which may trigger unlawful‑presence bars. Anyone with a complex entry history should seek legal advice before filing.
What happens if my adjustment of status application is denied?
If USCIS denies an adjustment application, the applicant may receive a notice of denial explaining the reason, and in some cases may file a motion to reconsider or reopen, or renew the application in removal proceedings if a Notice to Appear is issued. A denial does not automatically mean deportation; however, if the applicant has no other lawful status, USCIS may refer the case to ICE. Having an experienced immigration attorney from the start can help avoid common pitfalls that lead to denial, such as missing documents or insufficient financial sponsorship.
How do I start the adjustment of status process with a Virginia lawyer?
To begin, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation. During the consultation, Mr. Sris or one of his Of Counsel will review your immigration history, family relationships, and any issues that could affect eligibility. The firm will outline a strategy, estimate the timeline, and explain the required documents and fees. The Fairfax Location is conveniently located for residents of Northern Virginia, and the firm also serves clients throughout the commonwealth from its Richmond location. All meetings are by appointment.
For additional guidance on related immigration topics, visit these pages: Immigration Lawyer Fairfax County | Immigration Lawyer Fairfax City | Immigration Lawyer Falls Church | Immigration Lawyer Prince William County | Immigration Lawyer Manassas.
Primary legal sources for Virginia adjustment of status applicants: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ? Arlington Immigration Court (EOIR) ? Fairfax Circuit Court (for related family matters).
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