Form i-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

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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 03/31/2023

Form I-485 Instructions   03/29/21    

Page 1 of 43

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? 

9

What Is the Filing Fee? 

15

Where To File? 

16

Address Change 

17

Processing Information 

17

Individuals With Disabilities and/or Impairments 

18

USCIS Forms and Information 

19

Penalties 

19

USCIS Compliance Review and Monitoring 

19

USCIS Privacy Act Statement 

19

Paperwork Reduction Act 

20

Checklist 

20

Additional Instructions

Additional Instructions 

21

Additional Instructions for Family-Based Applicants 

21

Additional Instructions for Employment-Based Applicants 

23

Additional Instructions for Special Immigrants 

24

Additional Instructions for Human Trafficking Victims and Crime Victims 

25

Additional Instructions for Asylees and Refugees 

31

Additional Instructions for Applicants Filing Under Special Adjustment Programs 

32

Additional Categories 

39

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Form I-485 Instructions   03/29/21    

Page 2 of 43

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 

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, as 

a 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,