# Form I-485: Adjusting Status in the U.S. > Form I-485 lets eligible people get a green card without leaving the U.S. Who qualifies, the medical exam, and what to expect. - Source: https://carlosmaury.law/news/form-i-485-register-permanent-residence-adjust-status - Author: Carlos Maury Law - Published: 2025-01-20 - Topics: Form I-485, adjustment of status, green card application, lawful permanent resident, INA 245(a) For many people already living in the United States, the path to a **green card** runs through a single form: **Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.** It is the form that, when approved, makes someone a **lawful permanent resident** — without having to leave the country to process a visa abroad. This guide explains what the I-485 does, who can use it, and what the process involves. This is general information, not legal advice, and government forms change. You can **[download the current Form I-485 (PDF)](/resources/form-i-485-register-permanent-residence-adjust-status.pdf)** here, and always confirm the latest edition and instructions at **[uscis.gov/i-485](https://www.uscis.gov/i-485)**. ## What "adjustment of status" means When someone qualifies for a green card, there are generally two ways to obtain it: - **Consular processing** — applying at a U.S. embassy or consulate **abroad**, then entering as a permanent resident; or - **Adjustment of status** — applying to **change** ("adjust") from a temporary status to permanent residence **while remaining inside the United States**, using **Form I-485.** For people already here who are eligible, adjustment of status is often the more convenient path: there is no need to travel abroad for an interview, and applicants may be able to **work and travel** while the application is pending (see below). The current edition is **Form I-485 (Edition 01/20/25)**, which expires **10/31/2027**. Unlike the I-9, the I-485 **is filed with USCIS** — it is a true application, with a fee and supporting evidence. ## The two things almost every applicant needs Adjustment of status is not a stand-alone benefit. In most cases, you need **two things to line up**: - **An immigrant category** — usually established by an approved or pending petition, such as a **Form I-130** (family-based) or **Form I-140** (employment-based). Other paths include **asylee/refugee** adjustment (INA § 209), the **Cuban Adjustment Act**, the **diversity visa** program, and special categories. - **An available immigrant visa** — for categories that are subject to annual limits, a visa number must be **available** for your **priority date** and country (USCIS looks at the Visa Bulletin). Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens generally have a visa available right away. The I-485 itself records this in the "For USCIS Use Only" box — the **preference category, country chargeable, priority date,** and the **section of law** (for example **INA § 245(a)**, the general adjustment provision; **§ 245(i)** for certain applicants; **§ 209** for asylees and refugees; or **§ 249** registry). ## Concurrent filing When a visa is **immediately available**, many applicants can file the I-485 **at the same time** as the underlying petition — known as **concurrent filing.** A family member of a U.S. citizen, for instance, may file the **I-130 and the I-485 together.** You can **[download the current Form I-130 (PDF)](/resources/form-i-130-petition-for-alien-relative.pdf)** here, and confirm the latest edition at **[uscis.gov/i-130](https://www.uscis.gov/i-130)**. When a visa is not yet available, the petition is filed first and the I-485 waits until the priority date is current. ## What the process involves While details vary by category, an adjustment case generally includes: - **The application and evidence** — Form I-485 with proof of eligibility, identity, lawful entry or other qualifying basis, and the filing fee. - **The medical exam (Form I-693)** — a **Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record**, completed by a **USCIS-designated civil surgeon**. The I-485 even has a field for the date the I-693 was signed. - **Biometrics** — a fingerprint/photo appointment for background checks. - **An interview** — many applicants attend an interview at a USCIS office, though USCIS **waives** the interview in some cases. - **A decision** — if approved, the applicant becomes a **lawful permanent resident** and receives a green card. ## Working and traveling while you wait Adjustment applicants can usually apply for two companion benefits, often filed **together with the I-485**: - A **work permit** — Form **I-765**, Application for Employment Authorization; and - **Advance parole** — Form **I-131**, which lets certain applicants **travel abroad** and return without abandoning the pending I-485. Traveling on a pending adjustment without the right document can be risky — in some situations it can be treated as **abandoning** the application — so this is an area where careful planning matters. ## A few important cautions - **Eligibility and admissibility matter.** Section 245(a) generally requires that you were **inspected and admitted or paroled**, and applicants must be **admissible** (or eligible for a waiver). Certain issues — some immigration violations, criminal history, or prior orders — can complicate or bar adjustment, sometimes with available waivers. - **Don't travel or drop your status without advice.** Leaving the country, letting status lapse, or working without authorization can jeopardize a case. - **The form is filed in English.** USCIS provides the I-485 in English only; there is no official Spanish version of the form to submit. ## Why this matters A green card is one of the most consequential steps in a person's immigration journey — it brings the right to live and work permanently in the U.S. and, in time, a potential path to citizenship. Because adjustment of status ties together a petition, visa availability, admissibility, and timing, **small mistakes can cause big delays or denials.** Getting the strategy and the paperwork right is worth the care. ## How we can help Adjustment of status sits at the heart of family and employment immigration, and the right approach depends on your specific category, history, and timing. As a firm led by a **former U.S. Immigration Judge**, we help individuals and families assess eligibility, choose between adjustment and consular processing, prepare a complete I-485 package, and navigate interviews and any complications. If you are wondering whether you can get a green card from inside the U.S., [contact us](/contact). ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Form I-485 used for? It is the application to become a **lawful permanent resident** (get a green card) through **adjustment of status** — that is, while remaining inside the United States, rather than processing a visa at a consulate abroad. ### Do I file the I-485 by itself? Usually not. In most cases it rests on an immigrant category — commonly an approved or pending **Form I-130** (family) or **Form I-140** (employment) — and requires that an immigrant **visa be available** for your priority date. When a visa is immediately available, the petition and I-485 can often be filed **concurrently**. ### Can I work and travel while my I-485 is pending? Often yes. Many applicants file **Form I-765** for a work permit and **Form I-131** for advance parole alongside the I-485. Traveling without advance parole can, in some cases, be treated as abandoning the application — get advice first. ### Is there a medical exam? Yes. Adjustment generally requires **Form I-693**, the immigration medical examination, completed by a **USCIS-designated civil surgeon**. ### Which Form I-485 edition is current? The current edition is **Form I-485 (Edition 01/20/25)**, expiring 10/31/2027. Always confirm the latest edition and instructions at [uscis.gov/i-485](https://www.uscis.gov/i-485). This article is general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney–client relationship. It does not guarantee any outcome. Eligibility for adjustment of status is highly fact-specific; forms and requirements change. Confirm the current edition and instructions at [uscis.gov/i-485](https://www.uscis.gov/i-485) and consult a qualified attorney about your specific situation. --- *General legal information from Carlos Maury Law — not legal advice. https://carlosmaury.law/news/form-i-485-register-permanent-residence-adjust-status*