Applying for green card while on a B-1 or B-2 visa
The following FAQ should cover the issues.
Q. I am a US Citizen. My parents (or spouse/spouse-to-be) are in USA on visitors visa. Can I apply for their green card? How does it all work?
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Interview at Buffalo (NY) DO
I had my interview back in November, at the Buffalo (NY) DO. It was so quick we were in and out of the office within 10- 15 mins. We had a very nice woman officer.
She asked us to swear the oath, she asked us 3 questions and wanted to see our utility bills.
Once she had photocopied them, she came back in the room and said my GC had been approved. She said i should recieve it within 2 weeks, which i did.
Hope everyone's GC interview could be so quick and easy.
Green Card
Consular Processing Experience
State
CA
Category: IR5 (parents)
Interview Date: Feb 2009
Consulate: Chennai, India
Jan 28, 2009: Called panel doctor Vijayalakshmi and fixed an appointment for Jan 31st, 11 AM.
30th Jan 2009:
Reached Lister Labs at 6:30 AM and no one was there. Security opened the gate and gave us the first token. We were out by 8:30 AM. Collected Sealed envelope at 4:30 PM. X-Ray, blood test cost: Rs 810.
31st Jan 2009:
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Interview Today and Approved
We had our interview today and our case was APPROVED! It was fairly easy and straight forward interview.
We checked in at 8:45 AM for our 9:15 AM appointment. We were called in couple of minutes before 9:15 AM, pretty good!
Green Card
Interview at Atlanta
State
GA
Just wanted to update everyone and say we had our interview this morning, scheduled for 8 AM in Atlanta. We got there at 7.55, checked in at 7.59 and were called at 8.02. Interview was all done in 10 minutes and we were out of the building at 8.15.
Green Card
Workload Transfer within Service Center Operations
USCIS recently began transferring some Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, cases filed by lawful permanent residents for their eligible family members from the Vermont Service Center to the California Service Center.
If your case was transferred, USCIS will send you a notice listing the transfer date and where your case will be processed. Your original receipt number will not change and this will not delay the processing of your cases except for the additional time needed to transfer the file.
Replace Your Green Card
When to Replace Your Green Card
Lawful Permanent Residents
If you are a lawful permanent resident, you must replace your Green Card if:
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USCIS Forms Update Notice - Form EOIR-29
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form:
Form EOIR-29, Notice of Appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals from a Decision of a DHS Officer07/01/2025 11:10 AM EDT
Edition Date: 07/01/25. USCIS will still accept the following editions: July 2019, March 2018, July 2015, January 2015, October 2013, October 2012, and April 2009 editions.
For more information, please visit the Forms Updates page.