Updated July 2026. Fees and procedures change; verify at uscis.gov or consult an immigration attorney.
For the closest family members of U.S. citizens, immigration law offers its most direct route to permanent residency: the concurrent filing, commonly called the one-step process. The family petition and the green card application are filed together, in a single package, on the same day.
Who qualifies as an immediate relative
Congress placed three relationships outside the annual visa quotas, which means a visa number is always immediately available for:
- Spouses of U.S. citizens
- Unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens
- Parents of U.S. citizens who are at least 21 years old
Because there is no waiting line for these categories, the petition (Form I-130) and the adjustment application (Form I-485) can travel together. Other family categories, such as siblings or married children of citizens, are subject to annual limits and generally must wait for their priority date under the Visa Bulletin before filing the I-485.
What goes into the one-step package
A typical concurrent filing includes:
- Form I-130, the petition proving the qualifying family relationship, with evidence such as the marriage certificate and proof that the marriage is genuine.
- Form I-485, the application for adjustment of status, with the medical examination by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon.
- Form I-864, the affidavit of support, in which the citizen sponsor demonstrates income above the required threshold.
- Form I-765 for a work permit and Form I-131 for travel authorization, optional but almost always advisable, since they typically arrive months before the green card.
One requirement deserves special attention: to adjust status inside the United States, the applicant generally must have been inspected and admitted or paroled at entry. How a person entered the country can determine whether the one-step process is available at all, or whether the case must take a different route. This is precisely the kind of question to resolve with an attorney before filing anything.
What happens after filing
USCIS issues receipt notices, schedules a biometrics appointment, and in most family cases calls the couple or family to an interview at the local field office. For residents of Puerto Rico, that interview takes place at the USCIS San Juan field office. If the marriage is less than two years old at approval, the residency is granted on a conditional basis, and the couple files Form I-751 to remove conditions before the two-year card expires.
Current government fees
As of mid-2026, the principal USCIS fees are $675 for the I-130 ($625 filed online), $1,440 for the I-485, $260 for a concurrent I-765, and $630 for the I-131. Amounts change periodically, so always confirm against the official USCIS fee schedule before mailing a package, because an incorrect fee gets the entire filing rejected.
Why cases get delayed or denied
The most common problems we see are incomplete evidence of a genuine relationship, sponsor income below the affidavit of support threshold without a joint sponsor, unresolved immigration history that surfaces at the interview, and filing packages assembled from generic internet checklists that ignore the family’s actual circumstances. A well-prepared filing moves faster and withstands scrutiny.
Ready to start your family’s process?
KS Immigration Solutions has guided families in Puerto Rico through the one-step process for over 20 years, from the first consultation to the interview and beyond. Contact us to review your eligibility and build a complete, correct filing from day one.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different; consult a licensed attorney about your specific situation.
