Filing for Green Card through Marriage while on a P-1A visa

This process involves filing I-130 (to prove a bona fide marriage), I-485 for Permanent Residence (“Green Card”), and then forms that permit travel and work authorization. 

Adjustment of Status Pricing and Information:

The adjustment of status can only be filed while a person is in the United States

A person that filed for adjustment of status cannot travel outside of the United States until their “Advance Parole” is granted. Advance Parole is the authorization for travel that is granted with form I-131 which is typically submitted with the I-485 Adjustment of Status petition. Which means EFE must stay in the United State while the petition is pending. 

If this is not possible, then we can look to obtain the Green Card through consular processing, which involves scheduling an interview in Nigeria after the I-130 marriage application is approved. Either way, the process will take 8-12 months on average to move to the next step.

In addition, there is typically an application for work authorization with form I-485. Both the advance parole and work authorization can take an average of 8-12 months to be approved.

The adjustment of status application itself can take an average of 12-16 months to be approved or even longer.

The athlete will be able to compete on the P-1 while the adjustment of status to Green Card is pending. It is safe to travel after the advanced parole is granted. 

Pricing for I-485, I-131, and Work Authorization is as follows:

Legal Fees are $5000 per applicant

Filing fees are $1225 per applicant (unless there are children with applications at the same time, which would be $2000 per child)