I-485

Adjustment of
Status

Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) is the green card application filed by foreign nationals already in the United States. It is the final step in obtaining lawful permanent residency without leaving the US for consular processing abroad.

Automate I-485 workflows
Quick facts
FormI-485
Filing fee$1,440 (includes biometrics)
Who can fileBeneficiaries inside the US
Concurrent filingAllowed when visa number current
EAD/Advance ParoleFiled concurrently (I-765/I-131)
Medical examForm I-693 (civil surgeon)
Processing time8–24+ months

Automate your
I-485 case workflow

Astrea coordinates concurrent I-485, I-765, and I-131 filings, tracks Visa Bulletin priority date movements, and prepares complete adjustment of status packages — for every applicant in your caseload.

No spam. Early access + special launch pricing.
✓ You're on the list! We'll be in touch.
Something went wrong. Please try again.

What is I-485 Adjustment of Status?

Adjustment of Status (AOS) allows a foreign national who is physically present in the United States to apply for a green card without departing the country. The I-485 can be filed when an immigrant visa number is immediately available — either concurrently with the underlying petition (I-140, I-130) or after the petition is approved and the priority date becomes current. Upon approval, the applicant receives lawful permanent resident status and a green card valid for 10 years. Filing I-485 also allows the concurrent filing of I-765 (Employment Authorization Document) and I-131 (Advance Parole) — permitting unrestricted work and international travel while the green card application is pending.

🇺🇸
Physically Present in the US
The applicant must be present in the US at the time of filing and must have been inspected and admitted or paroled. Those who entered without inspection (EWI) generally cannot adjust status unless qualifying for specific exceptions.
📅
Visa Number Must Be Available
An immigrant visa number must be immediately available at the time of filing — either because the priority date is current on the Visa Bulletin, or because concurrent filing is permitted for the underlying category. For immediate relatives, a visa number is always available.
✅
No Inadmissibility Bars
The applicant must not be subject to grounds of inadmissibility (criminal, health, fraud, unlawful presence, prior removal) without a valid waiver. Certain grounds can be waived; others are permanent bars requiring careful case evaluation before filing.

How the I-485 process works

01
Confirm eligibility and check the Visa Bulletin
Verify that the underlying petition (I-130, I-140, or other) is approved or concurrently fileable, and that the priority date is current on the DOS Visa Bulletin. Check both the "Final Action" and "Dates for Filing" charts — USCIS publishes which chart applies each month.
02
Complete the medical examination
The applicant must see a USCIS-designated civil surgeon for Form I-693. The exam covers vaccination records and medical history. I-693 results are sealed and submitted with the I-485 or at the interview. Results are valid for 2 years.
03
Prepare and file I-485 package
Compile I-485, Form I-944 (Declaration of Self-Sufficiency, if applicable), I-693, birth certificates, passport photos, identity documents, police clearances, civil documents, and the $1,440 filing fee. File I-765 and I-131 concurrently to obtain work authorization and travel document.
04
Biometrics appointment
USCIS will schedule an ASC (Application Support Center) appointment for fingerprints and photos. EAD is typically issued within a few months of biometrics — allowing the applicant to begin working while the I-485 remains pending.
05
Interview (if required) and green card issuance
USCIS may waive the interview for employment-based cases with approved I-140s. Family-based I-485 cases typically require an interview at a local USCIS field office. Upon approval, the green card is mailed within 2–3 weeks.

I-485 FAQ

Can I work while my I-485 is pending?

Yes, by filing Form I-765 (Employment Authorization Document) concurrently with I-485 at no additional fee. Once the EAD is issued — typically within 3–5 months of filing — you may work for any US employer without restriction. The EAD eliminates dependence on an H-1B or other work visa while the green card is pending. See USCIS I-485 page.

Can I travel internationally while I-485 is pending?

Departing the US while an I-485 is pending without an Advance Parole document (Form I-131) abandons the I-485 application — except for H-1B or L-1 holders who may be able to use their valid visa to reenter. File I-131 concurrently with I-485 and wait for the travel document before departing. Advance Parole is typically issued alongside the EAD.

What is the difference between I-485 and consular processing?

I-485 is for applicants already in the United States — they adjust status without leaving. Consular processing (DS-260) is for beneficiaries abroad — they attend an immigrant visa interview at a US embassy or consulate and then enter the US as a permanent resident. Both lead to the same result (green card), but I-485 allows applicants to remain in the US throughout and obtain an EAD during the process.

What is AC21 portability and how does it affect a pending I-485?

Under INA §204(j) (AC21), an employment-based I-485 applicant who has had the I-485 pending for 180+ days may change jobs to a "same or similar" occupational classification without the I-485 being denied, as long as the underlying I-140 was approved and the new job is in the same or a similar SOC occupation. This provides flexibility for long-pending cases.