USCIS Form I-485 - Instructions for Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

Sep 19, 2026

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USCIS Form I-485 instructions explain how applicants in the United States apply for lawful permanent resident status, commonly called applying for a “green card.” The guidance covers who may file or may not be eligible to adjust status, when to file, required evidence, filing fees, and where to submit the form. It also includes processing information, address change procedures, disability accommodations, USCIS compliance and privacy statements, penalties, and category-specific additional instructions for family-based, employment-based, special immigrants, trafficking and crime victims, and asylees or refugees.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages44

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Form I-485 Main Instructions

What Is the Purpose of Form I-485?

Who May File Form I-485?

Who May Not Be Eligible to Adjust Status?

When Should I File Form I-485?

General Instructions

What Evidence Must You Submit with Form I-485?

What Is the Filing Fee?

Where To File?

Address Change

Processing Information

Individuals With Disabilities and/or Impairments

USCIS Forms and Information

Penalties

USCIS Compliance Review and Monitoring

USCIS Privacy Act Statement

Paperwork Reduction Act

Checklist

Additional Instructions

Additional Instructions for Family-Based Applicants

Additional Instructions for Employment-Based Applicants

Additional Instructions for Special Immigrants

Additional Instructions for Human Trafficking Victims and Crime Victims

Additional Instructions for Asylees and Refugees

Additional Instructions for Applicants Filing Under Special Adjustment Programs

Additional Categories

Instructions for Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services USCIS Form I-485 OMB No. 1615-0023 Expires 02/28/2026 Table of Contents Form I-485 Main Instructions Page What Is the Purpose of Form I-485? 2 Who May File Form I-485? 2 Who May Not Be Eligible to Adjust Status? 3 When Should I File Form I-485? 4 General Instructions 4 What Evidence Must You Submit with Form I-485? 10 What Is the Filing Fee? 16 Where To File? 17 Address Change 17 Processing Information 18 Individuals With Disabilities and/or Impairments 19 USCIS Forms and Information 19 Penalties 20 USCIS Compliance Review and Monitoring 20 USCIS Privacy Act Statement 20 Paperwork Reduction Act 21 Checklist 21 Additional Instructions Additional Instructions 22 Additional Instructions for Family-Based Applicants 22 Additional Instructions for Employment-Based Applicants 24 Additional Instructions for Special Immigrants 25 Additional Instructions for Human Trafficking Victims and Crime Victims 26 Additional Instructions for Asylees and Refugees 32 Additional Instructions for Applicants Filing Under Special Adjustment Programs 33 Additional Categories 40 What Is the Purpose of Form I-485? Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, is used by a person in the United States to apply for lawful permanent resident status. Throughout these Instructions, we will sometimes refer to Form I-485 as an application for adjustment of status or as an adjustment application. Who May File Form I-485? The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and certain other Federal laws provide many different ways to adjust status to that of a lawful permanent resident. This is often informally referred to as applying for a “green card.” The eligibility requirements for adjustment of status may vary depending on the immigrant category you are applying under. For more information on adjustment of status eligibility and discretion, go to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website [at](at www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/adjustment-status)[ ](at www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/adjustment-status)[www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/adjustment-status](at www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/adjustment-status). Furthermore, you must be physically present in the United States to file this application. You may apply as the person who directly qualifies for an immigrant category (“principal applicant”) or, in some cases, asa family member of the principal applicant (“derivative applicant”) . Whether you are a principal or derivative applicant, you must file your own Form I-485 . 1. Principal Applicant The principal applicant is usually the individual named as the beneficiary of an immigrant petition or who is otherwise qualified to adjust status. A principal applicant must designate which immigrant category he or she is applying under by selecting the appropriate box listed on Form I-485, Part 2. Application Type or Filing Category, Item Numbers 1.a. -1.g. Each category has specific requirements for adjustment of status. In addition to these Instructions, read the Additional Instructions (found after the Form I-485 Main Instructions) for your immigrant category to determine if any additional requirements apply to you. 2. Derivative Applicant (files based on a principal applicant) A principal applicant’s spouse and children, who are not beneficiaries of their own immigrant petition, may be eligible to apply for adjustment under the same immigrant category as the principal applicant. These family members are called “derivative applicants.” A derivative applicant must designate which immigrant category he or she is applying under by selecting the appropriate box listed on Form I-485,

FAQs

What is the purpose of USCIS Form I-485?

Form I-485 is used to apply for lawful permanent resident status in the United States. The instructions also refer to it as an adjustment of status or adjustment application.

Who may file Form I-485, and what determines eligibility?

Eligibility depends on the applicant’s immigrant category under the Immigration and Nationality Act and other federal laws. Applicants must be physically present in the United States, and requirements vary by immigrant category.

What are the key categories of applicants covered in the instructions?

The instructions describe principal applicants and, in some cases, derivative applicants (such as eligible spouses and children of a principal applicant). They also address other immigrant categories not listed in the standard filing category items.

Sep 19, 2026

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