Let’s say you receive the great news that your I-130 petition has been approved. Although the process was lengthy, you are now trying to figure out if it is the right time to file the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust status I485. And you are not sure if your spouse is a resident or a citizen. So, what is the next step?

If your spouse is a U.S. citizen, you can file the I-485 right now, since you would be in the immediate relative category. This means that you do not need to wait for the visa bulletin to be updated.

However, if your spouse is a permanent resident, the situation is different. You may not be able to file the I-485 immediately, as the visa bulletin may not be up to date. You must follow the visa bulletin closely to know when you can proceed.