Step-by-Step Form I-485 Instructions

The vast majority of applicants do not apply for adjustment based on the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) section 245(i). You can likely skip this checkbox because it is for certain applicants who entered unlawfully.

If you are filing Form I-485 concurrently with the visa petition, you may skip Information About Your Immigrant Category. On the other hand, you’ll need to provide details about your pending or approved visa petition if it was previously filed. Depending on your application type, the visa petition could be Form I-129F, I-130, I-140, I-360, I-589, I-590 or I-730.

Most people are principal applicants. A derivative applicant is an intending immigrant who cannot be directly petitioned for, but who can acquire the ability to adjust status through the principal applicant. The spouse and/or unmarried child (under the age of 21) of an applicant generally receive the same or similar immigration benefits (green card) as the principal.

According to the I-485 instructions, you should provide five years of Address History and Employment History (inside or outside the United States). Enter complete addresses and relevant dates. Estimate the date to the best of your ability if you cannot remember the exact date. If you need extra space, you’ll need to add the other records to Part 14 Additional Information on the last page. USCIS will use this information to do a background check. Employment is not a requirement for eligibility. Indicate “Unemployed” if you have not worked during any period. However, if you’ve been employed inside the United States, be sure that you were authorized to work. For certain applicants, unauthorized employment is sufficient reason to deny Form I-485.

Provide information about your parents. This information will be used for a background check. If the information is unknown or your parent is deceased, you may indicate so.

Most of this section should be self-explanatory. Its importance is elevated if you are applying for permanent residence on the basis of marriage. In particular, you’ll want to provide accurate information about your current and former spouses (if applicable) and provide evidence that any previous marriages have ended.

Provide details about all of your living children, regardless of age. As per the Form I-485 instructions, children includes biological, step and adopted sons and daughters. Even if your children will not be immigrating, list them here. If they are adjusting status, you will need to file separate applications for each child.

USCIS uses this information for identification and statistical information. As you may have noticed, Hispanic/Latino is provided as a choice for ethnicity, but it is not provided as a choice for race. This is because USCIS (and the U.S. government) do not define Hispanic/Latino as a race. For race, you must choose one or more of the values provided in the list. There is no wrong answer. You may answer the question with the race(s) you most closely identify.

Adjustment applicants with origins from Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South or Central America, or any other Spanish culture or origin should choose the race(s) that fits best for your situation. Many Hispanic applicants select “white” but others choose “black” or “American Indian.” (You may choose more than one.) There is no one single answer that works for all Hispanic people. The answer is individual to you.

There are a variety of ways that USCIS can find an intending immigrant to be “inadmissible” to the United States. Part 8 covers this topic. The questions are generally associated with the grounds of inadmissibility for permanent residence. Take your time to carefully read each question. Generally, a "Yes" answer is problematic in the section, but there are many valid reasons to answer "Yes" that will not negatively affect your application. Misrepresentation, or lying, can definitely be harmful to your case. If you don't feel that you can be honest, it's a good indicator that you speak to an attorney.

You should answer every question honestly and accurately. If you believe a truthful answer could create a problem on the application or you are unsure of your answer, speak to an immigration attorney before filing Form I-485.

USCIS will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and impairments that will help them fully participate in USCIS programs and benefits. Reasonable accommodations will vary based on each individual’s disability or impairment. If you believe that you need USCIS to accommodate your disability and/or impairment, indicate “Yes” where applicable and describe the accommodation you require.

Indicate if you have prepared Form I-485 on your own or through the assistance of an interpreter and/or preparer. Even if a family member or friend prepared the application, you should indicate here. Provide information so that USCIS can contact you. Although it’s unlikely that USCIS will contact you by phone, they will provide communication by email. After reviewing the application for accuracy, the applicant will sign here. The applicant will only sign in this part.

Although speaking English is not a requirement for permanent residence, understanding the application and your I-485 instructions is vital. If you have received assistance from an interpreter, provide the interpreter’s information in this part. The interpreter must also sign this part.

Do not fill in this section if you prepared the application yourself. On the hand, provide the preparer’s information if another person – even a non lawyer -- prepared the application for you. The preparer must also sign this part.

Do not fill in this section or sign it now. The USCIS officer will have you sign it during your interview.