I’ve been in Arizona for a few months now after arriving from Greece on a B-1/B-2 visitor visa. I came for tourism and to reconnect with some relatives I hadn’t seen in years. But during my stay, I’ve grown more interested in pursuing permanent residency here, especially since one of my close relatives is a U.S. citizen and suggested sponsoring me. I’m aware that visitor visas aren’t meant for long-term stays, and I don’t want to do anything that could affect my immigration future. Is it possible to adjust status from a B-2 visa while I’m still here, and if so, what does that process look like?

You can apply for adjustment of status from a B-2 visa only if you’re an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, such as a spouse, parent, or unmarried child under 21, and the U.S. citizen files Form I-130 along with your I-485 before your visa expires.

USCIS may scrutinize whether you had “immigrant intent” at the time of entry. If you entered on a tourist visa but quickly apply to stay permanently, they may question whether your original purpose was truthful. Timing and documentation matter.

If you’re not eligible to adjust inside the U.S., your relative can still file an I-130 and you can return to Greece to complete consular processing later. This may take longer, but it’s a safer and more straightforward route if your current visa doesn’t support adjustment.