Is it possible to file for i485 without a lawyer and still get approved?

[xxkala 0]

Hello, me and my husband (Singapore citizen), would like to begin the adjustment of status process. The i485, i130 and i765. Lawyers keep saying that we won’t be approved if we do it on our own but is it really worth paying $3000 for them to fill out forms you can do yourself?

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

2 minutes ago, xxkala said:

Hello, me and my husband (Singapore citizen), would like to begin the adjustment of status process. The i485, i130 and i765. Lawyers keep saying that we won’t be approved if we do it on our own but is it really worth paying $3000 for them to fill out forms you can do yourself?

 

This is a DIY site so, yes you can do the paperwork on your own. Add in I-131 form also, it's for advanced parole so can travel while waiting for pending I-485.

 

Also, are you currently in the US now with your husband or?

[Dashinka 24,508]

Yes, people like my wife and I do it without a lawyer all the time and get approved.  In fact VJ is a self-help site where many many members do it themselves successfully.

 

Good Luck, and if your case is straightforward, ignore the lawyers.

[xxkala 0]

1 minute ago, Ben&Zian said:

 

This is a DIY site so, yes you can do the paperwork on your own. Add in I-131 form also, it's for advanced parole so can travel while waiting for pending I-485.

 

Also, are you currently in the US now with your husband or?

Hello, thank you! Yes, I’m a u.s citizen and he’s here on a f-1 student visa with authorization to work. 

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

Just now, xxkala said:

Hello, thank you! Yes, I’m a u.s citizen and he’s here on a f-1 student visa with authorization to work. 

 

Then no issues. You can technically file at anytime, but not sure how that works with the F-1 whether it cancels it or if you should wait until his F-1 is near expiration. That can be answered though by some other members more knowledgeable in that area. 

[IslandQueen 45]

My husband and I did and we had no issues. No RFE, nothing. Approved on spot. My husband's cousin encouraged us to do it on our own since attorneys were charging us alot of money just to fill out the paperwork. Visa Journey helped us with our AOS and will help me in Aungust when I apply for Citizenship. 

[payxibka 10,045]

12 minutes ago, xxkala said:

Hello, me and my husband (Singapore citizen), would like to begin the adjustment of status process. The i485, i130 and i765. Lawyers keep saying that we won’t be approved if we do it on our own but is it really worth paying $3000 for them to fill out forms you can do yourself?

People do it every day 

[payxibka 10,045]

6 minutes ago, Ben&Zian said:

 

Then no issues. You can technically file at anytime, but not sure how that works with the F-1 whether it cancels it or if you should wait until his F-1 is near expiration. That can be answered though by some other members more knowledgeable in that area. 

It's the same as adjusting from any other nonimmigrant status 

[Going through 5,671]

Of course lawyers will say you need them no matter what---they want to make the big bucks.

 

Any questions you have about how to fill out the forms/what type of evidence to send can be answered through the USCIS instructions, or here (for free!) on the forums if you're left feeling confused about something.

 

Edited to add:  Btw, using a lawyer doesn't mean a case is a guarantee of being approved, either.  Lawyers have been known to mess things up for VJ members in the past by forgetting to include documents, giving out bad advice (or sometimes even advice that turns out to be against immigration laws), etc.

Edited May 10, 2019 by Going through

[Eugenia2017 28]

Off course you can do it . Just read and follow all instructions 

https://www.uscis.gov/i-130

[TBoneTX 45,304]

Thread is moved from General Immigration Discussion to the "AOS from WS&T Visas" main forum -- AOS will be from an F-1.