The main green card application filed inside the U.S.
Foreign nationals already in the U.S. who want to become a lawful permanent resident.
Form I-485 is the primary application used to adjust your status to that of a lawful permanent resident without leaving the United States. It must be filed along with supporting documents including your medical exam (I-693), birth certificate, and passport photos.
Confirm your visa category is eligible for adjustment of status
Gather all required documents including passport, I-94, and medical exam
File I-485 with USCIS along with required fees
Attend biometrics appointment
Attend interview at local USCIS field office (if required)
Receive green card by mail after approval
Most I-485 filings require the following, though your specific category may call for more:
Copy of your birth certificate (with certified translation if not in English)
Copy of your passport biographic page and any visas
Form I-94 arrival/departure record
Two passport-style photos taken within the last 30 days
Completed Form I-693 medical exam, in a sealed envelope from a USCIS-approved civil surgeon
Evidence supporting your specific category (marriage certificate, approved I-130/I-140, etc.)
Form I-864 Affidavit of Support, if applicable to your category
If a visa number is immediately available in your category — which is always true for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, and sometimes true for other categories depending on the current Visa Bulletin — you can file Form I-485 at the same time as the underlying I-130 or I-140 petition, rather than waiting for it to be approved first. This is called "concurrent filing" and can save significant time. If your category isn't currently current, you'll need to wait until your priority date is current before filing I-485, even if the underlying petition is already approved.
Missing signature. An unsigned form is one of the most common reasons for an outright rejection rather than just a delay.
Incomplete medical exam. The civil surgeon's sealed envelope must not be opened before submission — an opened envelope can invalidate the exam.
Filing before your priority date is current. USCIS will reject the filing if a visa number isn't yet available for your category and country.
Outdated form edition. USCIS periodically updates form editions — filing an expired version is grounds for rejection.
Incorrect or outdated fee amount. Fee schedules change; always confirm the current fee at USCIS.gov before mailing your check or paying online.
Can I work while my I-485 is pending? Not automatically — you'll need to separately file Form I-765 for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), often bundled with I-485 as part of the "combo" filing.
Can I travel while I-485 is pending? Only with approved Advance Parole (Form I-131) in hand. Traveling without it can be treated as abandoning your application.
What if my case is transferred to a different field office? This is normal and doesn't invalidate your case — USCIS periodically rebalances caseloads across offices based on capacity.
Do I need a lawyer to file I-485? Not legally required, but an attorney is strongly recommended for anything beyond the most straightforward cases, especially where prior visa violations, criminal history, or complex family situations are involved.
Is this normal? Yes — waiting 30–90 days after your interview with no update is completely normal.
What to do right now: Check your mail daily for an approval notice or RFE. Do not travel outside the U.S. without Advance Parole (Form I-131).
When to take action: After 30 days with no update, submit an e-Request at egov.uscis.gov. After 6 months, contact your local congressman for help.
Use ClearPath's free tools to check your own situation
Explore ClearPath Tools →