If you have an approved or concurrently filed EB-1 / EB-2 / EB-3 petition and are present in the United States in valid nonimmigrant status, you may adjust to permanent resident status with Form I-485 without leaving the country. This guide covers all seven steps, required forms, fees, and direct links to USCIS resources.
Are you eligible? Employment-based adjustment of status requires: (1) lawful admission— having been inspected, admitted, or paroled by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP); (2) maintenance of valid nonimmigrant status through the time of filing, with no immigration or criminal violations; and (3) an approved I-140 / I-360 (I-140 may be filed concurrently with I-485 when the priority date is current; I-360 must be approved before filing I-485), with the priority date current.
The first step is for the employer to file Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker), or in religious-worker and other special-immigrant cases, Form I-360. The date USCIS receives the I-140 / I-360 (or PERM filing date, depending on category) becomes your priority date.
| Form | Purpose | Fee | USCIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-140 | Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker (EB-1 / EB-2 / EB-3) | $715 + Asylum Program Fee* | File I-140 → |
| I-360 | Special Immigrant Petition (incl. religious workers, EB-4) | $515 | File I-360 → |
| I-907 | Premium Processing for I-140 (optional) | $2,965 | File I-907 → |
* Asylum Program Fee: $600 (standard) / $300 (small employer, < 25 employees) / $0 (nonprofit)
EB-1 and EB-2 / EB-3 applicants may concurrently file I-140 and I-485 if their priority date is current, shortening the overall timeline.
Learn about priority dates →Before filing I-485, confirm the following:
Prepare Form I-485 together with the supporting documents below. Employment-based applicants generally do not file Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support); instead, the employer must file Form I-485 Supplement J (I-485J) confirming that the position and employment relationship remain valid.
| Form | Purpose | Fee | USCIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-485 | Application to Register Permanent Residence | $1,440 | File I-485 → |
| I-693 | Medical examination (by USCIS-designated Civil Surgeon) | paid to physician |
View I-693 → Find Civil Surgeon → |
| I-485J | Filed by employer to confirm EB-2 / EB-3 position is still valid | no fee | File I-485J → |
Required supporting documents:
The two ancillary applications below are not required, but we recommend filing them with the I-485 to provide work and travel flexibility while the I-485 is pending:
| Form | Purpose | Fee | USCIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-765 | Employment Authorization Document (EAD) | $260 | File I-765 → |
| I-131 | Advance Parole travel authorization | $630 | File I-131 → |
I-765 and I-131 are typically issued 3–6 months after filing. With an EAD you may legally work in the U.S.; with Advance Parole you may travel internationally (see critical warning in Step 05).
USCIS now allows two filing methods:
Once received, you obtain "authorized to stay" status and may remain temporarily in the U.S. while the case is pending.
⚠️ Critical warning: do not depart the United States before obtaining your I-131 travel authorization—unauthorized departure may cause USCIS to deem your I-485 application abandoned and deny it. Even if you hold a valid H or L visa, we recommend consulting with an attorney before traveling abroad.
File online via myUSCIS → I-485 Lockbox addresses →Approximately 1–2 weeks after filing, applicants will receive a paper Receipt Notice from USCIS. The notice includes a Receipt Number that you can use to check your case status.
Check USCIS case status →Within 2–4 weeks after filing, you will receive an Application Support Center (ASC) appointment notice for fingerprints and a photo. Bring:
If the scheduled time is inconvenient, you may reschedule online before the appointment.
Rescheduling biometric services appointments →USCIS reviews your case in order of receipt and decides whether an interview is required. Employment-based cases are not always interviewed, but if an interview is scheduled it will be at a local Field Office (typically focusing on verifying the position, salary, and continuing employer-employee relationship).
What may happen during adjudication:
Once the Final Action Date reaches your priority date and all administrative checks are complete, USCIS will approve your I-485 application. After approval, your green card (Form I-551) will be mailed within several weeks to the address on file in myUSCIS— confirm your address is correct, and update it immediately if you have moved.
Check case status → Change of Address (AR-11) →After receiving your green card: Permanent residents have ongoing obligations, including: (1) filing U.S. tax returns; (2) avoiding extended absences (continuous trips longer than 6 months may trigger scrutiny; trips longer than 1 year are typically considered abandonment); (3) avoiding criminal conduct that affects status; and (4) updating your address within 10 days of moving. If you plan extended international travel, consult an attorney about applying for a Re-Entry Permit (Form I-131).