What Is Form I-485? Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

Certain individuals with a nonimmigrant status living in the United States can adjust their status to achieve permanent residency. However, the specific steps associated with changing your status can be complex, with multiple applications and stakeholders involved. People looking to initiate the process of adjusting their status may commonly wonder, “What is Form I-485?” By learning key definitions and processes, they can submit a successful application.

What Is Form I-485?

Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, is the official USCIS form used to apply for a green card from within the U.S. The process enables eligible applicants to adjust their status without having to leave the country. To qualify, you must be physically present in the United States and have an immigrant visa immediately available to you. You must also meet specific requirements, such as qualifying on a family, employment, or asylum basis. 

This process, formally known as Adjustment of Status, includes various categories, such as employment-sponsored, family-based, asylum and refugee-based, special immigrant categories, and other options. Immigration matters in California are handled at:

USCIS Los Angeles Field Office

300 North Los Angeles Street, Room 1001

Los Angeles, CA 90012

USCIS San Francisco Field Office

630 Sansome Street, 4th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94111

The current edition of the Form I-485 was updated in 2025. USCIS now requires medical exam evidence to be valid and filed correctly. Any forms received on or after August 21, 2025, must include the updated fees. The current filing fee, as of September 2025, for Form I-485 is $1,440 for applicants age 14 or older, and $950 for children under 14 if filing with a parent.

How Can I File Form I-485?

Filing Form I-485 involves multiple steps, which can vary depending on the type of green card that the applicant is pursuing. An experienced immigration lawyer can support you with the following filing process:

• Confirming eligibility. Applicants must ensure that they are eligible to apply for a green card. To file a Form I-485, there must be a visa available in the relevant category, which can be verified by looking at the visa bulletin.
• Getting an approved petition. Depending on the type of green card being applied for, a petition will be required, which could be I-360, I-140, I-130, or other petitions. A lawyer can help you understand what kind of petition you will need, navigate the process, and have it approved.
• Getting a medical examination. Most green card applications require filling out and submitting Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. Applicants will need to go to an approved physician to get this form completed and verified.
• Collecting additional documents. Additional documentation that may be required for submitting the Adjustment of Status application includes evidence related to the green card category eligibility and proof that the applicant entered the US lawfully. Other supporting documents that may be required include evidence of financial support, marriage certificates, and birth certificates.
• Filling out Form I-485. It is critical to complete all required fields on the form and fill out the entire form accurately and completely. Applicants who are interested in receiving text or e-mail notifications can include a completed Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance.
• Submitting the form. The form must be submitted with associated filing fees, which can be paid by credit card if the applicant uses Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. Filing fees can also be paid with a cashier’s check, money order, or personal check. Depending on the category of eligibility, the supporting documents and form must be filed at the corresponding USCIS service center or lockbox.

Upon successful submission of your application, you will be scheduled for a biometrics appointment by USCIS. At the appointment, they will take your signature, photograph, and fingerprints. After the biometrics appointment, an interview may be required with USCIS so the application can be further reviewed. An experienced immigration lawyer can help you prepare for such interviews and help you understand what types of questions to expect.

Receiving a Decision on Your Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

You will ultimately receive a decision from USCIS. If your application is approved, you will receive your green card. In some cases, you may receive a request for evidence (RFE) in which USCIS needs further documentation to verify your application. An experienced lawyer can help you respond quickly to these requests so that you can continue processing your application. Furthermore, if you receive a rejection, they can help you with an appeal.

Eligibility for Form I-485

Individuals who are already inside the United States who qualify for a green card are eligible to file Form I-485. Many applicants are close family members of U.S. citizens or fall under one of several family preference categories, which are categorized F1-F4. Employment-based applicants can adjust their status if they have an approved immigrant petition and a visa number available. 

Asylees and refugees may apply one year after being granted the status under those categories. Other groups include special immigrants and derivative applicants. Other limited cases may also apply. 

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

While the I-485 application process provides a clear pathway to remain in the United States and gain permanent resident status without having to leave the country, filing errors and other mistakes can result in the automatic rejection of the application. 

Errors such as missing documents (birth certificates, medical forms) or conflicting information across multiple locations can raise red flags and lead to setbacks in your application. If you file when your visa category is not current under the Visa Bulletin, your application could be denied. Being criminally charged can also lead to serious setbacks in the process.  

Why You Should Hire an Adjustment of Status Attorney 

If you are eligible to file Form I-485, your top priority should be to hire an adjustment of status attorney who has years of experience practicing immigration law. Federal adjustment of status laws are complex, and the process can be incredibly unforgiving. By securing representation from an adjustment of status lawyer, you benefit from their years of experience and successful handling of these complicated cases. 

The immigration process is under increased scrutiny. There was a 7% decline in the number of immigrants welcomed by USCIS between 2023 and 2024. Anyone seeking to join the

47.8 million immigrants residing in the U.S. can greatly benefit from legal representation. An attorney can streamline the process for you, ensuring that no details are missed and your application is supported by the necessary documentation needed for approval.

FAQs

Q: Who Qualifies for I-485?

A: People already located in the US on a valid nonimmigrant status who are eligible for a certain green card can qualify for Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Options for qualifying for a green card include refugee or asylum status, family sponsorship, employment, and other means. Applicants will need to have an approved petition in addition to a current priority date.

Q: What Does It Mean If My I-485 Is Approved?

A: If an applicant gets their Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, approved, they have been granted lawful permanent resident status by USCIS. Therefore, they will become a green card holder, meaning that they can permanently work and live in the US. A green card also comes with the possibility of a path to citizenship. To understand the benefits that your green card comes with, it’s important to work with a lawyer.

Q: What Is the Difference Between I-130 and I-485?

A: Form I-130 and Form I-485 are two different forms that serve different purposes at different phases in the process of obtaining a green card. Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is a petition in which local permanent residents or US citizens can declare their relationship with a close relative who wishes to permanently live and work in the US. Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, is the green card application itself.

Q: What Happens After I File My I-485?

A: After you file Form I-485, you will need to wait until USCIS reviews your application and schedules a biometrics appointment. At your appointment, you will need to give a signature, a photo, and your fingerprints, after which your case will go through further processing. You may be required to attend a USCIS interview before receiving a decision from USCIS. If your application has been accepted, you will be able to receive your green card.

Efficiently Navigate the Adjustment of Status Process With an Experienced Immigration Lawyer

Applying for an Adjustment of Status is an exciting time in the immigration process, as becoming a lawful permanent resident can unlock a myriad of benefits, including the potential to eventually pursue US citizenship. A skilled immigration lawyer from U.S. Law Center can assist you with pursuing your green card and submitting relevant forms, such as an I-485. Contact us today to begin the process.