⚠ General information only — not legal advice. Immigration law is complex and fact-specific. Consult a licensed immigration attorney for your specific situation.
USCIS · Form I-485
Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
Apply for a green card while already inside the United States.
Filing fee
$1,440 for most applicants ages 14–78. $950 for applicants under 14 or over 78. Free for refugees and asylees. Fee waiver available on Form I-912 for qualifying low-income applicants.
Processing time
8 to 44 months depending on your preference category, country of birth, and the USCIS field office handling your case. Check the USCIS processing times tool at uscis.gov for current estimates.
Filed with
USCIS — file by mail to the service center or lockbox listed in the I-485 instructions for your category. Some categories allow online filing through myUSCIS.
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Overview
Form I-485 is the primary pathway to obtaining a green card for people who are already physically present in the United States. Rather than returning to your home country to attend a visa interview at a US consulate — which is the alternative process called consular processing using Form DS-260 — adjustment of status allows you to complete the entire process while remaining in the US.
The I-485 is used across multiple immigration categories: family-based petitions sponsored by US citizen or permanent resident relatives, employment-based petitions sponsored by US employers, asylum and refugee cases, diversity visa lottery winners, and several special immigrant categories. Each category has different eligibility requirements and processing pathways.
One of the most important concepts for I-485 filers is the Visa Bulletin, published monthly by the US Department of State. For most categories except immediate relatives of US citizens, you cannot file I-485 until your priority date is current according to the Visa Bulletin. Filing prematurely is one of the most common and costly mistakes applicants make.
Immediate relatives of US citizens — spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of adult US citizens — have unlimited visa availability. Once the I-130 is approved, they can file I-485 immediately. All other family and employment categories must wait for a visa number to become available.
Who needs Form I-485?
People already in the US seeking permanent residence through family, employment, asylum, or diversity visa. You must be physically present in the US and have a valid basis for the application.
What does Form I-485 do?
Adjusts your immigration status to lawful permanent resident without leaving the United States. It is the domestic alternative to consular processing using Form DS-260.
Key requirements
✓An approved immigrant petition (I-130 for family, I-140 for employment) or concurrent filing eligibility
✓An immediately available immigrant visa number — check the monthly Visa Bulletin at travel.state.gov
✓Valid entry into the US and maintenance of lawful status (with certain exceptions)
✓Medical exam completed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon on Form I-693
✓Copy of your birth certificate with certified translation if not in English
✓Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) if family-sponsored
✓Form I-765 (EAD) and I-131 (advance parole) if you want to work and travel while pending
Common mistakes to avoid
⚠Filing before your priority date is current — always check the Visa Bulletin before filing
⚠Not filing Form I-765 and I-131 concurrently — filing them separately costs more and adds months of waiting
⚠Filing to the wrong USCIS address — the correct address depends on your category and state
⚠Submitting an expired I-693 medical exam — the civil surgeon's signature expires after 2 years
⚠Traveling outside the US after filing without an approved advance parole document
⚠Not responding promptly to a Request for Evidence — you typically have 87 days to respond
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Processing details
After filing, you will receive a receipt notice (Form I-797) within 2–4 weeks confirming USCIS received your application. You will then be scheduled for a biometrics appointment at a local Application Support Center, typically within 5–8 weeks of filing.
For many categories, USCIS will schedule an in-person interview at your local field office. At the interview, an officer reviews your application, verifies your documents, and asks questions about your background and eligibility. Some employment-based categories may have the interview waived.
After the interview or interview waiver, USCIS will approve the application, issue a Request for Evidence asking for additional documentation, or in some cases deny the application. If approved, you will receive your green card by mail within a few weeks.
Processing times vary significantly. Immediate relatives of US citizens generally have the shortest wait times. Employment-based and family preference categories can take significantly longer, especially for applicants born in countries with high immigration demand.
After you file
After filing Form I-485, immediately file Form I-765 (Employment Authorization) and Form I-131 (Advance Parole) if you have not already done so concurrently. These allow you to work and travel while your green card is pending.
Notify USCIS of any address changes within 10 days of moving by filing Form AR-11 or updating through myUSCIS. Missing notices can result in denial.
Do not leave the United States without an approved Advance Parole document. Departing without advance parole is considered abandonment of your I-485 in most circumstances.
If USCIS sends a Request for Evidence, respond promptly and completely within the stated deadline — typically 87 days.
Common situations
Married to a US citizen
If you are married to a US citizen, you are an immediate relative — no wait for a visa number. Your spouse files Form I-130, and you can file I-485 immediately or concurrently. This is the fastest path to a green card for someone already in the US.
Sponsored by an employer on H-1B
If your employer has filed an I-140 and your priority date is current, you can file I-485 while maintaining H-1B status. After 180 days of I-485 pending, you may be able to change employers under AC21 portability.
On a tourist or student visa
If you entered on a B-2 or F-1 visa and then married a US citizen, you may be eligible to adjust status as an immediate relative. You must have entered lawfully and maintained your status. Consult an immigration attorney if you overstayed your visa.
Diversity Visa lottery winner
DV lottery winners already in the US can file I-485 rather than returning home for a consular interview. You must file before September 30 of the fiscal year in which your visa number was issued — DV numbers cannot be carried over.
Frequently asked questions
Can I travel outside the US while my I-485 is pending?
You can travel if you have an approved Advance Parole document (Form I-131). Leaving the US without advance parole while your I-485 is pending will generally be considered abandonment of your application — meaning your case will be closed. Apply for advance parole at the same time you file your I-485 to avoid any gap.
Can I work while my I-485 is pending?
Yes, but you need an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by filing Form I-765. You can work legally once you receive the EAD card. File your EAD renewal 6 months before expiration to avoid gaps in authorization.
What is the Visa Bulletin and why does it matter?
The Visa Bulletin is published monthly by the US Department of State and tracks availability of immigrant visa numbers by category and country of birth. For most I-485 categories except immediate relatives of US citizens, you can only file when your priority date is current. Your priority date is generally the date your underlying petition was filed with USCIS.
What happens at the I-485 interview?
A USCIS officer will review your application, ask you to confirm the information you provided, and ask questions about your background and relationship to your petitioner. Bring all original documents you submitted copies of, plus any new documents since filing. The officer may approve your case on the spot or take it under review.
Can my I-485 be denied even if I qualify?
Yes. Common reasons for denial include inadmissibility grounds such as certain criminal history, health conditions, or prior immigration violations, failure to respond to an RFE, failure to appear for scheduled appointments, or abandonment due to unauthorized travel abroad.
What is portability and how does it affect employment-based cases?
AC21 portability allows employment-based I-485 applicants to change jobs or employers after their application has been pending for 180 days or more, as long as the new job is in the same or a similar occupational classification. This provides important flexibility for applicants in long-pending cases.
How long does it take to get a green card after filing I-485?
Processing times vary widely — anywhere from 8 months to over 3 years depending on your category, country of birth, and current USCIS workload. Immediate relatives of US citizens generally have the shortest wait. Check the USCIS processing times tool at uscis.gov for current estimates at your specific field office.
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Official USCIS page for Form I-485
Always download the latest version of the form directly from the official source.