I recently became a US citizen. My mother has been staying with me for a significant period over the past 3 years - all in valid visitor visa entry. She has always gone back within the I-94 expiration date. She will be completing her 6 month stay next month. Initially, I thought of applying for an extension on her visitor visa. But given that she has stayed here for the most part of the last 3 years, I doubt she would get one. Instead, I am thinking of applying her GC. If I start the process now and file her GC application in the next 2-3 weeks, would she be able to stay in US beyond her current I-94 expiry date in mid-April? Does filing I-130/485 automatically authorize the applicant to stay in US till the petition is adjudicated? Thanks very much in advance for any inputs.