Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
Apply for a Green Card from inside the United States.
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About USCIS Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
Form I-485 is used by a person already in the United States to apply for lawful permanent resident status, often called a Green Card, without leaving the country. It is filed when a basis such as a family or employment category is available.
This page is a general guide and helper only. It is not legal or immigration advice. Always download and file the current official form from USCIS, since some USCIS forms must be completed on the official version.
Who needs to complete it
- People in the United States with an approved or concurrent immigrant petition.
- Family members adjusting status based on a qualifying relationship.
- Certain employment based applicants already in the country.
- Others who are eligible to adjust status under a specific category.
How to fill out USCIS Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
- 1Read the instructions to confirm you are eligible to adjust status and which category applies.
- 2Enter your personal information, including names, birth details, and current immigration status.
- 3Provide your current address and your address and employment history for the period the form covers.
- 4State the immigrant category and the petition or basis your application relies on.
- 5Answer the background and eligibility questions carefully and honestly.
- 6Complete the sections on family members and any prior immigration history.
- 7Review, sign, and date the application, and note any preparer or interpreter.
- 8Gather the required supporting documents and file per the current instructions.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Form I-485 for?
It lets an eligible person already in the United States apply to become a lawful permanent resident without traveling abroad for the final step.
Do I need an approved petition first?
Most applicants need an immigrant petition or another qualifying basis. In some categories the petition and this application can be filed together. Check the instructions.
Can my family apply too?
Certain family members may be able to apply based on the same case. The current instructions explain who qualifies as a derivative applicant.
Is this the official form?
This page is a helper and general guide, not legal or immigration advice. Always download and file the current official form from USCIS at the link provided.