Green Card Lawyer Serving New York City

01Services

NYC Green Card Services

Comprehensive permanent residence solutions for New York City residents

1. 01

   Family-Based Green Cards

   Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, parents, unmarried children under 21) with no waiting period. Family preference categories for siblings, married children. I-130 petitions, I-864 Affidavits of Support, I-485 adjustment of status for NYC families.

2. 02

   Employment-Based Green Cards

   EB-1 extraordinary ability and multinational managers. EB-2 advanced degree professionals and National Interest Waiver. EB-3 skilled workers and professionals. PERM labor certification for NYC employers. Common for Wall Street, tech, healthcare sectors.

3. 03

   Marriage Green Cards

   Marriage-based green cards for NYC couples. Form I-130 petition, I-485 adjustment, removal of conditions (I-751). Interview preparation at USCIS 26 Federal Plaza. Evidence of bona fide marriage, joint finances, cohabitation. K-1 fiancé visa conversion.

4. 04

   Adjustment of Status (I-485)

   File I-485 to adjust status to lawful permanent resident while in NYC. Work authorization (EAD) and travel documents (advance parole) while pending. Biometrics at USCIS, interview at the New York City Field Office at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan. The current figure for Form I-485 at that office is published on the USCIS processing-times page.

03Questions clients ask

Green Card NYC FAQs

How long does it take to get a green card in NYC?

Two things set it. The first is the queue: I-130 or I-140 at a USCIS service centre, National Visa Center processing where the case is consular, then I-485 adjustment of status with an interview at the USCIS New York City Field Office at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan. The second is visa availability. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens — spouses, parents and children under 21 — are exempt from the numerical caps and have no quota wait. Every family preference and employment category waits for the cut-off date in the monthly Visa Bulletin at travel.state.gov to reach its priority date, and for Indian and Chinese nationals in EB-2 and EB-3 that is the dominant factor by a wide margin. Processing times change regularly — check the current figure for your form and service centre on the USCIS processing-times page, or ask us at your consultation.

How much does a green card lawyer cost in NYC?

Green card attorney fees in NYC vary by case type: a marriage-based green card covers the I-130, I-485, I-864, and interview preparation; an employment-based green card adds PERM labor certification (if required), the I-140 petition, and I-485 adjustment; family preference petitions (siblings, married children) and removal of conditions (I-751) are narrower filings. Attorney fees depend on the type of case and how much of the record has to be built; flat fees are quoted in writing before work starts, and payment plans are available. Government filing fees are set by USCIS, published on uscis.gov, and listed separately from our fee. We offer consultations for NYC green card applicants and quote the fee in writing.

Where do I attend my green card interview in NYC?

NYC green card interviews are typically held at the USCIS New York City Field Office located at 26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY 10278 in Lower Manhattan. This office handles adjustment of status interviews for applicants in all five NYC boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island), Long Island, and some Westchester County residents. The office is accessible via subway: 4, 5, 6 trains to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall station. Bring all original documents including passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), I-94, employment authorization, tax returns, and any requested evidence. Our attorneys provide comprehensive interview preparation and can accompany you to the interview.

Can I work while my green card is pending in NYC?

Yes. When you file Form I-485 (adjustment of status) in NYC, you can simultaneously file Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization). The Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is issued once USCIS adjudicates the I-765, and the current figure for that form is published on the USCIS processing-times page. The EAD allows you to work for any U.S. employer—you're not limited to your sponsoring employer like on H-1B or L-1 visas. You can also file Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document/Advance Parole) to travel internationally while your I-485 is pending. NYC applicants typically receive combo cards (EAD + advance parole combined). You can renew EADs if your green card takes longer than the initial EAD validity period.

What documents do I need for my NYC green card interview?

For marriage-based green card interviews at 26 Federal Plaza, bring: valid passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, spouse's proof of U.S. citizenship/green card, divorce decrees from prior marriages (both spouses), joint financial documents (bank statements for 2-3 years, tax returns for 3 years, lease/mortgage in both names), photos together throughout relationship, life insurance/health insurance showing spouse as beneficiary, utility bills, correspondence addressed to both spouses at same address. For employment-based interviews: passport, I-94, I-797 approval notices, employment verification letter, education credentials, tax documents. For all interviews: medical examination (Form I-693) in sealed envelope, photo ID, all USCIS correspondence. Our attorneys provide detailed checklists specific to your case.

Can I get a green card through my NYC employer?

Yes. NYC employers can sponsor foreign workers for green cards through employment-based categories: EB-1C for multinational managers/executives (no PERM required), EB-2 for workers with advanced degrees or exceptional ability (requires PERM labor certification unless qualifying for National Interest Waiver), EB-3 for skilled workers with 2+ years experience or professionals with bachelor's degrees (requires PERM). The process: (1) PERM labor certification filed with DOL showing no qualified U.S. workers (except EB-1 and NIW), (2) I-140 immigrant petition filed with USCIS, (3) I-485 adjustment of status when visa number available. Common NYC sponsors include financial firms, technology companies, hospitals, universities and consulting firms. The PERM stage is adjudicated by the Department of Labor, the I-140 by USCIS, and the I-485 can only be approved once the priority date is current — check the cut-off for your category and country in the monthly Visa Bulletin at travel.state.gov. Processing times change regularly — check the current figure for your form and service centre on the USCIS processing-times page, or ask us at your consultation.

What is the difference between a green card and citizenship?

A green card (lawful permanent residence) allows you to live and work permanently in the U.S., travel freely, and apply for citizenship later. Green card holders cannot vote, serve on juries, hold certain federal jobs, or sponsor siblings/married children for immigration. U.S. citizenship provides all rights including voting, running for office (except President), sponsoring more family members, and cannot be taken away (except for fraud). NYC green card holders can apply for citizenship after 5 years (or 3 years if married to U.S. citizen). Naturalization interviews are also held at 26 Federal Plaza. Most NYC immigrants choose to naturalize to gain full rights, easier international travel (U.S. passport), and ability to sponsor more family members.

Can I sponsor my parents for a green card from NYC?

Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old. Parents of U.S. citizens qualify as immediate relatives (IR-5 category) with no quota or waiting period. You file Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) and Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) for each parent. If your parents are already in the U.S., they can file I-485 to adjust status. If abroad, they go through consular processing. NYC residents typically have parents interview at U.S. consulates or embassies in their home countries. Processing times change regularly — check the current figure for your form and service centre on the USCIS processing-times page, or ask us at your consultation. You must show sufficient income (125% of federal poverty guidelines) to sponsor your parents. If you're only a green card holder (not citizen), you cannot sponsor parents—only spouses and unmarried children.