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PrintI-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
For more information on updates to Form I-485, see this video.
NOTE: Form I-485 is now used to collect information previously collected on Form I-864W, Request for Exemption for Intending Immigrant’s Affidavit of Support. Adjustment applicants no longer need to file Form I-864W.
ALERT: On Feb. 21, 2020, the Supreme Court stayed the statewide injunction issued by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois affecting Illinois filers. USCIS implemented the Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds final rule nationwide, including in Illinois, on Feb. 24, 2020. USCIS will apply the final rule to all applications for adjustment of status, and applications and petitions for extension of nonimmigrant stay or change of nonimmigrant status postmarked (or, if applicable, submitted electronically) on or after that date. For applications and petitions that are sent by commercial courier (for example, UPS, FedEx, or DHL), the postmark date is the date reflected on the courier receipt. USCIS will reject any affected application or petition that does not adhere to the final rule, including those submitted by or on behalf of aliens living in Illinois, if postmarked on or after Feb. 24, 2020.
The final rule requires applicants for adjustment of status who are subject to the public charge ground of inadmissibility and certain applicants and petitioners seeking extension of stay and change of status to report certain information related to public benefits. Due to litigation-related delays in the final rule’s implementation, USCIS is applying this requirement as though it refers to Feb. 24, 2020, rather than Oct. 15, 2019. Please read all references to Oct. 15, 2019, as though they refer to Feb. 24, 2020.
USCIS will not consider, and applicants for adjustment of status do not need to report, the application for, certification or approval to receive, or receipt of certain previously excluded non-cash public benefits (such as SNAP, most forms of Medicaid, and public housing) before Feb. 24, 2020. Similarly, USCIS will not consider as a heavily weighted negative factor receipt of previously included public benefits (such as SSI and TANF) before Feb. 24, 2020, in a public charge inadmissibility determination.
Certain classes of aliens are exempt from the public charge ground of inadmissibility (such as refugees, asylees, certain VAWA self-petitioners, U petitioners, and T applicants) and therefore, are not subject to the final rule.
Read the final rule here (PDF).
USCIS has updated the Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, for applicants who apply on the basis of their U nonimmigrant status.
Please refer to the Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, for information on where to file applications for adjustment of status based on U nonimmigrant status.
Please note, USCIS will allow a 30-day grace period in which affected applicants may file Form I-485 at the previously designated service centers. The grace period will end on April 11. After this date, USCIS may reject those applications sent to the incorrect service center.
Use this form to apply for lawful permanent resident status if you are in the United States.
Number of Pages
Form 19; instructions 43; special instructions 4
Edition Date
10/15/19. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions. The edition date for the Special Instructions for Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Applicants is 04/08/20.
Dates are listed in mm/dd/yy format.
Where to File
Where you file your Form I-485 depends on your eligibility category. Go to the Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-485 page to see where you should file your application.
Go to our Form Filing Tips page for information on how to help ensure that we will accept your application.
Don’t forget to sign your form! We will reject any unsigned form.
If you file at a USCIS Lockbox, please be aware that due to a change in business process, you may not receive an A-Number on your I-797 Accept Notice. In these cases, we will send your A-Number in a second notice a few days after accepting your application.
Filing Fee
You may pay the fee with a money order, personal check, or cashier’s check. When filing at a USCIS Lockbox facility, you may also pay by credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. If you pay by check, you must make your check payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Service centers are not able to process credit card payments.
When you send a payment, you agree to pay for a government service. Filing and biometric service fees are final and non-refundable, regardless of any action we take on your application, petition, or request, or if you withdraw your request. Use our Fee Calculator to help determine your fee.
Read our Paying USCIS Fees page for more details.
If You Are… | Form Fee | Biometric | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Under 14 and filing with the I-485 | $750 | $0 | $750 |
Under 14 and not filing with the I-485 application of at least one parent | $1,140 | $0 | $1,140 |
Age 14–78 | $1,140 | $85 | $1,225 |
Age 79 or older | $1,140 | $0 | $1,140 |
Filing Form I-485 based on having been admitted to the United States as a refugee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Checklist of Required Initial Evidence (for informational purposes only)
View the checklist of required initial evidence.
Special Instructions
INA 245(i)
If you are seeking to adjust status under the provisions of section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, refer to Supplement A for additional instructions.
Filing I-485 Supplement J
If you are filing Form I-485 together with a Form I-140 that names you as the principal beneficiary, you do not need to file Supplement J.
However, you must file Supplement J if you are filing Form I-485 based on a previously filed Form I-140 or if you are requesting job portability to a new, permanent job offer under INA section 204(j). Go to the Form I-485, Supplement J page for specific instructions on when and how to file Supplement J.
Adjustment of Status for Liberian Nationals and Certain Family Members
Section 7611. Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF), pages 1112-1115 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (PDF), allows eligible Liberian nationals and certain family members to adjust status. If you are filing Form I-485 based on LRIF, refer to the Special Instructions for Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Applicants (PDF). For more information about LRIF, see the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness page.
On your Form I-485, in Part 2, you must choose “Other Eligibility” under Item Number 8.e. In the text box, write “LRIF” to indicate you are applying to adjust status based on Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness. If you are applying as a family member of an LRIF-eligible Liberian national, write “LRIF family member” in the text box. You may file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with your Form I-485 or while it is pending. If you file Form I-765, write “(c)(9)” as your eligibility category for Part 2, Item Number 27 on your Form I-765.
Filing Forms I-765 and I-131 with Form I-485
If you are filing Form I-485 and pay the required fee (or already filed Form I-485 and paid the required fee on or after July 30, 2007), you do not have to pay an additional fee to also file a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization and/or Form I-131, Application for Travel Document for advance parole. You may file these forms together. If you choose not to file Form I-765 and/or Form I-131 with your Form I-485, then you must submit a copy of your I-797C, Notice of Action, receipt as evidence that you filed a Form I-485.
If you filed your Form I-485 before July 30, 2007, you must pay the fees associated with Forms I-765 and/or I-131 when you file them.
Which Box to Check in Part 2 of Form I-485
Before filing a Form I-485 based on a family-sponsored or employment-based preference category, check the USCIS webpage about the Visa Bulletin to see if your priority date makes you eligible to apply. If your priority date makes you eligible to apply, then:
- If you are the principal applicant, check the appropriate box in Part 2, Item Numbers 1 of Form I-485 and check the appropriate box in Part 2, Item Numbers 2.a. through 8.e.
- If you are the derivative spouse or child of the principal applicant, check the appropriate box in Part 2, Item Numbers 1 of Form I-485 and check the appropriate box in Part 2, Item Numbers 2.a. through 8.e.
For more information on the Visa Bulletin or the charts, please go to the Visa Availability and Priority Dates page and the Adjustment of Status Filing Charts from the Visa Bulletin page.
Premium Processing
You may file Form I-485 and Form I-140 together at the USCIS Dallas Lockbox facility.
If you are requesting premium processing for Form I-140, you must also file Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service. Refer to the Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker if you want to file Forms I-485, I-140, and I-907 together. Do NOT file Form I-907 at a USCIS Lockbox facility.
If you are filing Form I-485 based on a pending or approved Form I-140, go to the Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-485 page to see where to file your application.
Read the Employment-Based Preferences chart in the Department of State’s Visa Bulletin to ensure your priority date is current before you file your application.
