Staying long-term: changing status from within
Green card through family or without an employer — without getting stuck in limbo
From 21 January 2026, immigration visas are no longer issued to Russian nationals: the application they accept, conduct an interview, and deny the visa. That means the route the market continues to sell — ’we file and wait for the consulate’ — currently leads nowhere. Another route applies: if you are already in the US on a valid status, a green card done by changing status within the country, with no consular stage.
Who it suits. For those already in the US on a work, student, or tourist visa. For spouses and children US citizens and green card holders. Specialists with publications, patents and projects that do not require an employer.
What is included
- We check whether your path leads to a visa given the pause on immigration visa issuance Russian citizens from January 21, 2026 — and if not, we build it through a change of status within the US or via a second passport under the current State Department list
- We pull your footprint in the system: I-94 and actual days of presence, past refusals under 214(b), accumulated unlawful presence and proximity to 3- and 10-year bans, the fate of the old green card, if there was one
- We compile a complete evidence file: documents, translations, references, confirmations
- We find a licensed lawyer suited to your case and work alongside them
- We manage the status change from within: I-485, work authorization, and advance parole
- We prepare you for the interview: question review, rehearsal, and support throughout
- We calculate the fees in advance: I-485 — USD 1,440 per person aged 14 and over, I-140 — USD 715
What the package does not include
Paid separately and directly, with no markup from us.
- Representation before USCIS: only a licensed ttorney licensed in the state or DOJ-accredited representative (8 CFR 292.1) — we prepare matter and we find a suitable professional, who then signs the application
- USCIS fees: paid directly to the agency at cost, with receipts
- Medical examination with a panel doctor: from 200 $ per person
- Expedited processing $2,805: optional, billed separately
- Guaranteed approval: no one offers it, and anyone who does is lying
On January 21, 2026, the State Department suspended the issuance of immigration visas to citizens of 75 countries, and Russia is on that list. Applications accept applications, schedule and conduct interviews — but do not issue the visa. Non-immigrant visas (B1/B2, F-1, O-1, L-1) are not affected by the pause. That means the path the market keeps selling — ’apply and wait’ consulate» — it now fails to go through to the end, no matter how flawless the matter. Exactly two workarounds exist: a status change within the US if you are already in the country on a valid status, and a second passport from a country not on the list. We check both and tell you which applies to you — before you commit to anything you will pay. No end date has been set for the pause, so we keep your passport we check against the current list as of the date of your enquiry.
On January 21, 2026, the State Department suspended the issuance of immigration visas to citizens of 75 countries, and Russia is on that list. Applications are accepted, interviews scheduled and conducted — the visa is not issued in person. Non-immigrant visas (B1/B2, F-1, O-1, L-1) are unaffected by the pause. The market continues to sell ’green card through consulate” without mentioning that no visa will be issued at the end. Two workarounds exist: changing the status within the US and a second passport from a country not on the list — we verify both and we tell you which one is yours.
In the USA, only a licensed attorney may represent a person before USCIS for compensation, licensed in the state, or an accredited representative of the Ministry of Justice. Everything else constitutes unauthorized practice of immigration law, which carries its own separate article. That is why we honestly divide the work: analysis, documents, translations, the evidence folder and the landing are on us; the USCIS application is signed by licensed professional, and you know their name from day one.
The exact amount for your situation is stated before we begin and confirmed in writing in the agreement. If it changes, you will be informed before payment, not after.
I-130 petition, concurrent I-485 filing, work and travel authorisation, case management through interview.
An evidence portfolio, an I-140 petition with an attorney, change of status from within or the consular stage once the pause is lifted.
- Gathering evidence of national significance: publications, citations, patents, industry letters
- Reference letters and their preparation together with the referees
- Filing strategy: from inside the country or through a consulate — we calculate both scenarios
Prices are in US dollars and are all-inclusive — nothing is added on top. USCIS and State Department government fees are paid separately and directly to the authority: we state their amounts and show the receipts. Sales tax in the US is set by the state and city, so we do not quote it as a we don’t hide anything — the price you see is the final price. SVOY initial consultation — 150 $, credited in the cost of support. The short initial call is free.
Other points
Housing rental and purchase, documents, bank accounts and taxes, schooling, driving licence — 30 services in the USA, each has its own price.
Package «Staying long-term: changing status from within» · USA
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The same package in another country
There is only one moment in life, but the documents, deadlines and costs are unique to each case: the rules are set by the country.