What Is Adjustment of Status?
Adjustment of Status (AOS) is the process that allows a foreign national already in the United States to apply for lawful permanent residence (a green card) without leaving the country. The primary form is I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
The alternative — for applicants outside the US or those ineligible to adjust — is consular processing, where the immigrant visa is obtained at a US embassy or consulate abroad.
Who Is Eligible?
You may be eligible to file I-485 if all of the following are true:
- You are physically present in the United States
- You were inspected and admitted or paroled upon entry
- An immigrant visa number is immediately available for your category (or you are an immediate relative)
- You are not subject to a bar to adjustment (prior removal order, unlawful presence bars, certain misrepresentation grounds, etc.)
- You are admissible to the US, or have an approved waiver
Required Forms and Documents
A typical I-485 package includes:
| Form | Purpose | 2026 Fee |
|---|---|---|
| I-485 | Main adjustment application | $1,440 (adult) / $950 (child under 14) |
| I-765 | Employment Authorization (EAD) — concurrent | $260 (concurrent discount) |
| I-131 | Advance Parole travel document — concurrent | Included with I-485 |
| I-864 | Affidavit of Support from sponsor | No fee |
| I-693 | Medical examination (USCIS civil surgeon) | Varies by doctor ($200–$500) |
| I-944 | Declaration of Self-Sufficiency (public charge) | No fee (included with I-485) |
Step-by-Step Process
Before filing I-485, you need an approved immigrant petition (e.g., I-130 for family, I-140 for employment) or be an immediate relative of a US citizen. EB-5 investors need an approved I-526/I-526E.
Immediate relatives can file I-485 as soon as the underlying petition is approved (or concurrently with I-130). All other categories must wait until the Visa Bulletin shows their priority date is current.
Assemble I-485 with all supporting documents, I-693 medical exam, I-864 affidavit of support, and optional concurrent I-765/I-131. File by mail to the appropriate USCIS lockbox.
USCIS will schedule a biometrics appointment at an Application Support Center (ASC) for fingerprints and photos. Biometrics are included in the I-485 fee.
Most family-based applicants are interviewed at a USCIS field office. Many employment-based cases are interviewed or processed without interview. Bring original documents and your notice.
After approval, your I-485 is approved and a physical green card is mailed within a few weeks. The USCIS Immigrant Fee ($235) must be paid at pay.uscis.gov to receive your green card.
2026 Filing Fees
| Applicant Type | I-485 Fee |
|---|---|
| Adult (14–78 years old) | $1,440 |
| Child under 14 | $950 |
| Applicant age 79 or older | $950 |
| Concurrent I-765 (EAD) | $260 |
| Concurrent I-131 (Advance Parole) | Included |
| USCIS Immigrant Fee (after approval) | $235 |
Processing Time
I-485 processing varies significantly by USCIS field office and case type:
- Immediate relatives (family-based): typically 12–24 months
- Employment-based (current priority date): 12–36 months depending on field office
- EB-2/EB-3 India/China backlog: decades in some cases
Check current processing times at uscis.gov/processing-times for your specific form and field office.
AC21 Job Portability
Once your I-485 has been pending for 180 days or more, you may change employers under the AC21 portability provision — as long as the new job is in the same or substantially similar occupational classification. Your priority date and approved I-140 are preserved.
After Approval
- Your green card is valid for 10 years (2 years if conditional residence)
- Maintain eligibility for naturalization — 5 years of LPR status (3 years if married to a US citizen)
- If you received a conditional green card (married less than 2 years), file I-751 in the 90-day window before it expires