I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

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. 

Filing Tips: Go to our Form Filing Tips page for information on how to help ensure we will accept your form.

Don’t forget to sign your form. We will reject any unsigned form.

If you file at a USCIS lockbox, you may not receive an A-Number on your Form I-797, Notice of Action, due to a change in our business process. In these cases, we will send your A-Number in a second notice a few days after accepting your application.

View the checklist of required initial evidence.

Final Rule on Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility

If you are requesting an extension of stay or change of status, you may be subject to the new public benefit condition. For more information, please see our Public Charge page.

INA 245(i)

If you are seeking to adjust status under the provisions of section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, see 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 our 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 our Special Instructions for Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Applicants (PDF, 278.02 KB). For more information about LRIF, see our Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness page.

On your Form I-485, in Part 2, you must choose “Other Eligibility”. 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 submit Form I-485 and pay the required fee, you do not have to pay an additional fee to also file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and/or Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, for advance parole. You may submit 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, (also known as your receipt) as evidence that you filed Form I-485.

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 our Visa Bulletin page to see if your priority date makes you eligible to apply. 

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 our Visa Availability and Priority Dates page.

Premium Processing

You may file Form I-485 and Form I-140 together at the USCIS Dallas Lockbox.

If you are requesting premium processing for Form I-140, you must also file Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service. Refer to our Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, page 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 our 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 page to ensure your priority date is current before you file your application.

E-Notification:  If you want to receive an email and/or text message when we accept your form at a USCIS lockbox facility, complete Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance, and clip it to the first page of your application.

Attorney or representative: You may be represented, at no expense to the U.S. government, by an attorney or other authorized representative. Your representative must submit Form G-28, Notice of Entry or Appearance as Attorney or Representative, with your Form I-485. Your representative may also submit Form G-28 at the time of your interview.