If you're already in the United States and maintaining lawful status, Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) lets you transition to permanent residence without leaving the country. This guide walks through all eight steps, the required forms, all fees, and direct links to the official USCIS forms.
Are you eligible? Applicants must meet two basic requirements: (1) lawful entry into the United States—being inspected and admitted or paroled by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP); and (2) maintenance of lawful nonimmigrant status until filing Form I-485, without violating immigration or criminal law.
Before filing Form I-485, confirm that you meet the following conditions:
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouse, unmarried child under 21, parents) may file immediately, regardless of priority date backlog; all other categories (F1–F4) must wait until your priority date is current to file Form I-485.
Understanding priority dates →The first step is for the U.S. citizen or permanent-resident relative to file Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) on your behalf. The day USCIS receives the I-130 becomes your Priority Date, which determines your place in the green card line.
| Form | Purpose | Fee | USCIS Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-130 | Petition for Alien Relative | $675 | File I-130 → |
When a U.S. citizen petitions for an immediate relative, the I-130 and I-485 may be filed concurrently (concurrent filing), accelerating the overall process.
Go to USCIS Form I-130 →When you are eligible to file (immediate relatives may file immediately; all other categories must wait for the priority date), prepare Form I-485 with the following required documents:
📅 Before filing — check the USCIS Visa Bulletin
Before submitting Form I-485, verify on the USCIS website that your priority date is current for the filing month, and consult either the "Dates for Filing" or "Final Action Dates" chart to determine when you may file (immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are not subject to the backlog and may file immediately).
USCIS AOS Filing Charts →| Form | Purpose | Fee | USCIS Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-485 | Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | $1,440 | File I-485 → |
| I-693 | Medical examination (must be performed by a USCIS-designated Civil Surgeon) | Charged by physician |
View I-693 → Find a Civil Surgeon → |
| I-864 | Affidavit of Support | No fee | File I-864 → |
Required supporting document checklist:
Marriage-based green cards: bona fide marriage evidence
If you're applying for a marriage-based green card, you must also provide evidence that the marriage is genuine (bona fide), such as:
I-864 Affidavit of Support — in detail
The U.S. relative who filed Form I-130 also serves as the financial sponsor and must complete Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, demonstrating the financial ability to support the green card applicant—ensuring the applicant will not become a public charge.
Income requirement: The sponsor must provide recent U.S. tax records showing U.S. income sufficient to support all household members (including the beneficiary). The income threshold is generally at least 125% of the federal poverty line. Qualifying sponsor income may include:
Required income documentation:
If income is insufficient — two ways to qualify:
Qualifying asset categories:
⚠️ All non-English documents must be accompanied by a certified English translation. The translation may be self-certified by the translator (no notarization required), but must include the translator's name, signature, and a statement attesting to the accuracy of the translation.
The following two ancillary applications are not required, but are recommended for filing concurrently with the I-485—they provide flexibility to work and travel while your I-485 is pending:
| Form | Purpose | Fee | USCIS Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 within 3–6 months of filing. Once your EAD is approved, you may lawfully work in the United States; Advance Parole must be approved before any international travel (see critical warning in Step 05).
USCIS currently allows two filing methods:
Once your case is received, you obtain "authorized to stay" status and may remain lawfully in the U.S. while your case is under review.
⚠️ Critical warning: do not depart the United States before your I-131 travel authorization is approved—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 an attorney before traveling abroad.
File online via myUSCIS → I-485 Lockbox addresses →Approximately 1–2 weeks after filing, you 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 of filing, you'll receive a paper ASC (Application Support Center) notice to complete fingerprints and photos at a designated location. Bring:
If the assigned time isn't convenient, you can reschedule online before your appointment time.
How to reschedule biometrics →USCIS processes cases largely in the order received and determines case by case whether an interview is required. If an interview is scheduled, it takes place at a local Field Office (marriage-based cases are commonly interviewed to verify the bona fides of the marriage).
Possible developments during review:
After approval, your green card (Form I-551) will be mailed within several weeks to the address on file in your myUSCIS account. Make sure the address is correct—if you move, update it immediately.
Check your case status → Update your address (AR-11) →After receiving your green card: Permanent residents have ongoing obligations to maintain their status, including: (1) filing U.S. taxes each year; (2) avoiding extended absences from the U.S. (continuous absences over 6 months may trigger scrutiny; absences over 1 year are generally treated as abandonment); (3) avoiding criminal conduct that could affect status; and (4) keeping your address updated (within 10 days of any move). If you plan an extended absence, consult an attorney about applying for a Re-Entry Permit (Form I-131).