Fill out I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) online
Form I-485 is used to apply for lawful permanent resident status (green card) while you are present in the United States. It is the final step in the adjustment of status process for both family-based and employment-based immigration.
How to fill out I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status)
Enter applicant information
Provide your full legal name, date of birth, country of birth, A-Number (if applicable), SSN, current immigration status, and date of last arrival in the U.S.
Provide immigration history
List all previous entries to the U.S., any prior immigration applications or petitions, and any prior removals, exclusions, or deportation proceedings.
Complete the eligibility section
Indicate the basis for your adjustment (family-based, employment-based, diversity visa, asylee, refugee, etc.) and the underlying petition receipt number.
Submit with supporting documents
Include a copy of your birth certificate, passport, I-94, two passport-style photos, the filing fee, and Form I-693 (medical examination). Concurrently file I-765 (work permit) and I-131 (travel document) if needed.
About I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status)
Who needs this form
Foreign nationals physically present in the United States who are eligible to adjust status to permanent resident. This includes beneficiaries of approved family or employment-based petitions, diversity visa lottery winners, asylees, and refugees applying after one year.
Where to submit
File with USCIS by mail to the appropriate lockbox facility or online at uscis.gov. A biometrics appointment will be scheduled after filing. An interview at a local USCIS office may be required.
Source and content freshness
- Reviewed: 2026-02-16
- Check the latest official form instructions for the filing year that applies to you.
- Filing deadlines may shift for weekends and holidays. Verify due dates with official instructions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Filing before a visa number is available (check the Visa Bulletin)
- Not disclosing all immigration history, including prior overstays or denials
- Traveling without advance parole while the I-485 is pending
- Not submitting the required medical examination (Form I-693)
Frequently asked questions
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Is this legal, tax, or immigration advice?
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Can I work while my I-485 is pending?
Yes, but you need an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). File Form I-765 concurrently with or after your I-485. Many I-485 applicants also file Form I-131 (advance parole) for travel. USCIS card issuance and packaging policies can change, so verify current policy in official USCIS guidance.
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