Ms. T's spousal green card case was subject to a backlog. After entering on a visitor visa, she first extended her visitor status and then changed to student status, waiting for her priority date throughout.

She had to maintain lawful status continuously until the I-485 was in the system, since any gap in status could affect her green card eligibility.

She applied for an extension before her visitor status expired (approval gave her another 6 months). When her priority date still had not become current, she changed to student status, with formal enrollment required only after the change was approved. The moment her priority date became current, we filed the I-485.

Once she received the I-485 receipt notice, she could wait lawfully inside the United States for her green card approval, with no gap in status at any point.