Form I-485 – Apply for a Green Card Inside the U.S.
TITLE: Form I-485 – Apply for a Green Card Inside the U.S.
WHAT IT IS: Form I-485 is the application to become a lawful permanent resident (get a Green Card) while you are already inside the United States. This process is called “Adjustment of Status.” If approved, you do not need to leave the U.S. to get your Green Card.
WHO NEEDS IT: You can use this form if you are currently in the United States and meet the rules for your specific Green Card category. In general, you cannot file this form until an immigrant visa is immediately available in your category. You can check this on the USCIS website under “Visa Availability and Priority Dates” and “Adjustment of Status Filing Charts.”
HOW TO FILE:
1. Check when you can file. Visit the USCIS “Visa Availability and Priority Dates” page to learn if a visa is available for your category. Some exceptions exist, so check the Form I-485 instructions for your specific category.
2. Get your medical exam. You must see a USCIS-approved doctor (civil surgeon). The doctor will complete Form I-693 (Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record), sign it, and give it to you in a sealed envelope.
3. Choose how to file – online or by mail. Your choice depends on your category.
- Online filing: As of now, you can only file online if your application is a “stand-alone, employment-based” application. This means you are not submitting other forms with it, except Form G-28 (for a lawyer), Form I-693, or Form I-485 Supplement A. If you qualify and file online, you must open the sealed medical envelope from the doctor and upload the completed Form I-693. Keep the original form and envelope safe; USCIS may ask to see it later at an interview.
- Mail filing: All other applicants must file by paper mail. You must include the sealed medical envelope from the doctor in your package. Do not open it. The mailing address depends on your eligibility category; use the USCIS page called “Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-485” to find the correct address.
4. If filing online, first create a USCIS online account or log in to your existing account. Follow the online instructions to upload your forms and evidence.
FEES: (check the official fee schedule on the USCIS website)
CURRENT EDITION & DEADLINES: The form edition date is 01/20/25. You can find this date at the bottom of the form pages. USCIS may reject your form if you use an older edition or if pages are from different editions. There is no single deadline for everyone; the deadline depends on when an immigrant visa becomes available for you.
COMMON MISTAKES:
- Using an outdated form edition. Always download the latest form from the official USCIS website right before you file.
- Making a mistake with the medical exam (Form I-693). If you file by mail, you must put the sealed envelope from the doctor unopened in your package. If you file online, you must open the envelope and upload the report. Do not mix up these instructions.
- Not checking visa availability. Filing before a visa is available in your specific category can lead to rejection.
WHERE TO GET THE FORM: Always download the form and instructions directly from the official USCIS website at https://www.uscis.gov/i-485. Never use a form from an unofficial website.
SOURCE: https://www.uscis.gov/i-485
DISCLAIMER: General info from USCIS, not legal advice — always verify on the official page and consult a licensed immigration attorney for your case. English is authoritative.