Instructions for Application to Register
Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
USCIS
Form I-485
OMB No. 1615-0023
Expires 03/31/2027
Table of Contents
Form I-485 Main Instructions Page
What Is the Purpose of Form I-485? 2
Who May File Form I-485? 2
Who May Not Be Eligible to Adjust Status? 3
When Should I File Form I-485? 4
General Instructions 4
What Evidence Must You Submit with Form I-485? 10
Where To File? 16
Address Change 16
Processing Information 16
USCIS Forms and Information 17
Penalties 17
USCIS Compliance Review and Monitoring 17
USCIS Privacy Act Statement 18
Paperwork Reduction Act 18
Checklist 18
Additional Instructions
Additional Instructions 19
Additional Instructions for Family-Based Applicants 19
Additional Instructions for Employment-Based Applicants 21
Additional Instructions for Special Immigrants 22
Additional Instructions for Human Tracking Victims and Crime Victims 23
Additional Instructions for Asylees and Refugees 29
Additional Instructions for Applicants Filing Under Special Adjustment Programs 30
Additional Categories 37
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What Is the Purpose of Form I-485?
Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, is used by a person in the United States to
apply for lawful permanent resident status. Throughout these Instructions, we will sometimes refer to Form I-485 as an
application for adjustment of status or as an adjustment application.
Who May File Form I-485?
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and certain other Federal laws provide many dierent ways to adjust status to
that of a lawful permanent resident. This is often informally referred to as applying for a “green card.”
The eligibility requirements for adjustment of status may vary depending on the immigrant category you are applying
under. For more information on adjustment of status eligibility and discretion, go to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) website at www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/adjustment-status.
Furthermore, you must be physically present in the United States to le this application.
You may apply as the person who directly qualies for an immigrant category (“principal applicant”) or, in some cases, as
a family member of the principal applicant (“derivative applicant”). Whether you are a principal or derivative applicant,
you must le your own Form I-485.
1. Principal Applicant
The principal applicant is usually the individual named as the beneciary of an immigrant petition or who is otherwise
qualied to adjust status. A principal applicant must designate which immigrant category he or she is applying under
by selecting the appropriate box listed on Form I-485, Part 2. Application Type or Filing Category, Item Numbers
1.a. - 1.g.
Each category has specic requirements for adjustment of status. In addition to these Instructions, read the
Additional Instructions (found after the Form I-485 Main Instructions) for your immigrant category to determine
if any additional requirements apply to you.
2. Derivative Applicant (les based on a principal applicant)
A principal applicant’s spouse and children, who are not beneciaries of their own immigrant petition, may be eligible
to apply for adjustment under the same immigrant category as the principal applicant. These family members are
called “derivative applicants.” A derivative applicant must designate which immigrant category he or she is applying
under by selecting the appropriate box listed on Form I-485, Part 2. Application Type or Filing Category, Item
Numbers 1.a. - 1.g.
Some immigrant categories do not allow for derivative applicants, while a few categories allow additional family
members to apply as derivative applicants. See the Additional Instructions for more details.
Under U.S. immigration law, you are a “child” if you are unmarried, under 21 years of age, and meet the denition of
“child” found in the INA and USCIS policy guidance. Visit www.uscis.gov/tools/glossary for more information on
the denition of “child.” You may still be considered a child for immigration purposes even after turning 21 years of
age if you qualify under the provisions of the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA). For more information on CSPA,
see www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/child-status-protection-act/child-status-
protection-act-cspa.
3. Other Immigrant Categories
If you are ling for adjustment of status based on an immigrant category not listed in Part 2., Item Numbers
1.a. - 1.g., select the “Other Eligibility” box in Item Number 1.g. and type or print the immigrant category you are
applying under. These immigrant categories include, but are not limited to:
A. Special immigrants not listed in Part 2., Item Number 1.c. (for example, certain U.S. armed forces members,
Panama Canal Zone employees, and physicians);
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B. Polish or Hungarian parolee;
C. Private immigration bill signed into law; and
D. Registration of lawful permanent residence status based on a presumption of lawful admission.
If you would like more information on how to le under any of these categories, call the USCIS Contact Center at
1-800-375-5283. For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) call: 1-800-767-1833 or visit www.uscis.gov/green-card/other-
ways-get-green-card.
Who May Not Be Eligible to Adjust Status?
Bars to Adjustment of Status
You are generally ineligible for adjustment of status if one or more adjustment bars in INA sections 245(a), (c), (d),
and/or (e) apply to you. However, adjustment bars do not apply to every type of immigrant category and your category
might exempt you from certain adjustment bars. For example, certain adjustment bars do not apply to immediate relatives
of U.S. citizens, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)-based applicants, or certain special immigrants. In addition, some
employment-based applicants might be eligible for an exemption to some adjustment bars. For more information, visit
https://www.uscis.gov/forms/explore-my-options/green-card-eligibility.
Exception Under INA section 245(i)
You may be able to adjust status under INA section 245(i) even if you are subject to one or more adjustment bars and are
therefore ineligible for adjustment of status under INA section 245(a). See separate instructions for adjusting status under
INA section 245(i), titled “Instructions for Supplement A to Form I-485, Adjustment of Status Under Section 245(i).”
INA section 245(i) is not an immigrant category by itself. In order to adjust status using INA section 245(i), you must be
eligible for an immigrant visa under a family-based, employment-based, special immigrant, or Diversity Visa category.
You must select one of the immigrant categories listed in Part 2., Item Numbers 1.a. - 1.g. as the basis for your
application for adjustment of status. See the Additional Instructions for more information on your specic immigrant
category.
Grounds of Inadmissibility
Immigration laws specify acts, conditions, and conduct that can make foreign nationals ineligible for lawful permanent
resident status. These acts, conditions, and conduct are outlined in INA section 212(a) and are called grounds of
inadmissibility. For more information, visit https://www.uscis.gov/forms/explore-my-options/green-card-eligibility.
You are inadmissible to the United States and may not adjust status to a lawful permanent resident if you fall under one
or more of the grounds of inadmissibility that apply to your immigrant category. Depending on your immigrant category,
some grounds may not apply to you.
If you are inadmissible, you may be eligible for a waiver of the ground of inadmissibility or another form of relief. If your
waiver application or other form of relief is granted, your application to adjust status may be approved.
Exchange Visitors
If you are or were a J-1 or J-2 nonimmigrant exchange visitor and are subject to the 2-year foreign residence requirement
of INA section 212(e), you may not apply to adjust status unless you have complied with the foreign residence
requirement, have been granted a waiver of that requirement, or were issued a favorable waiver recommendation letter
from U.S. Department of State (DOS).
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Certain A, G, and E Nonimmigrants
If you have A, G, or E nonimmigrant status, or an occupation that would entitle you to such status, and as a result hold
certain diplomatic rights, privileges, exemptions, and immunities, you are ineligible for adjustment of status unless you
submit a waiver of those rights, privileges, exemptions, and immunities.
When Should I File Form I-485?
This section provides general information on when you should le Form I-485.
Principal Applicant
In general, if you are ling as a beneciary of an immigrant visa petition (such as Form I-130, Form I-140, or Form
I-360), you may le an adjustment application only after USCIS has approved your petition and an immigrant visa
number is immediately available. There are, however, some immigrant categories that allow you to le Form I-485 before
USCIS approves your petition (this is known as “concurrent ling”), provided that approval of the petition would make
a visa number immediately available and you meet all other ling requirements. See the Additional Instructions for
category-specic information on when you may le Form I-485.
Visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/visa-availability-
priority-dates for information on visa availability and priority dates, and the DOS website at
www.travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/law-and-policy/bulletin.html to view the Visa Bulletin.
More information about concurrent ling is available at
www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/concurrent-ling and in the instructions for Forms
I-130, I-140, and I-360.
Derivative Adjustment Applicant
With the exception of U nonimmigrants, asylees, and refugees, USCIS cannot approve your Form I-485 as a derivative
applicant until the principal applicant has been granted lawful permanent resident status.
If you are currently the spouse or child (unmarried and under 21 years of age) of a principal applicant, you may le Form
I-485 if an immigrant visa is immediately available to you and you meet all the ling requirements. You may le at any of
the following times:
1. At the same time the principal applicant les Form I-485;
2. After the principal applicant led a Form I-485 that remains pending a nal decision by USCIS;
3. After USCIS approves the principal applicant’s Form I-485, if the principal applicant is still a lawful permanent
resident and if, at the time of the principal applicant’s Form I-485 approval, you were the principal applicant’s spouse
or child; or
4. After the principal applicant obtained an immigrant visa and entered the United States as a lawful permanent resident
if the principal applicant is still a lawful permanent resident and, at the time of the principal applicant’s entry, you
were the principal applicant’s spouse or child.
General Instructions
We provide free forms through the USCIS website. To view, print, or complete our forms, you should use the latest
version of Adobe Reader, which you can download for free at http://get.adobe.com/reader/. If you do not have internet
access, you may call the USCIS Contact Center and ask that we mail a form to you.
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Form G-325A, Biographic Information. Form G-325A is no longer required. You do not need to submit a separate
Form G-325A with this Form I-485. Parts 1. and 3. of this Form I-485 meet the requirements of 8 CFR 245.2(a)(3)(i) by
collecting the biographical information formerly required on Form G-325A
Signature. You (or your signing authority) must properly complete your application. USCIS will not accept a stamped
or typewritten name in place of any signature on this application. If you are under 14 years of age, your parent or
legal guardian may sign the application on your behalf. (See the Additional Instructions that relates to Individuals
Born Under Diplomatic Status in the United States, for one exception.) A legal guardian may also sign for a mentally
incompetent person. If your application is not signed, or if the signature is not valid, we will reject your application. See
8 CFR 103.2(a)(7)(ii)(A). If USCIS accepts a request for adjudication and determines that it has a decient signature,
USCIS may deny the request.
Validity of Signatures. USCIS will consider a photocopied, faxed, or scanned copy of an original handwritten signature
as valid for ling purposes. The photocopy, fax, or scan must be of the original document containing the handwritten ink
signature.
Filing Fee. See Form G-1055, available at www.uscis.gov/forms, for specic information about the fees applicable to
this form.
Evidence. At the time of ling, you must submit all evidence and supporting documentation listed in the What Evidence
Must You Submit with Form I-485 section of these Instructions. Evidence requirements may vary depending on the
immigrant category you are applying under. See the Additional Instructions for information on whether any general
evidence requirements do not apply to you, or if you have other evidence requirements specic to your immigrant
category.
Biometric Services Appointment. USCIS may require you to appear for an interview or provide biometrics (ngerprints,
photograph, and/or signature) at any time to verify your identity, obtain additional information, and conduct background
and security checks, including a check of criminal history records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI), before making a decision on your application or petition. If we determine that a biometric services appointment
is necessary, we will send you an appointment notice with the date, time, and location of your appointment. If you are
currently overseas, your notice will instruct you to contact a U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate, or USCIS oce outside the
United States to schedule an appointment.
At your biometrics appointment, you must sign an oath rearming that:
1. You provided or authorized all information in the application;
2. You reviewed and understood all of the information contained in, and submitted with, your application; and
3. All of this information was complete, true, and correct at the time of ling.
If you fail to attend your biometric services appointment, we may deny your application.
For applicants and dependents who appear before an immigration judge, failure to attend a biometric services
appointment, without good cause, may result in the immigration judge nding that your application was abandoned, and
USCIS may also deny any other application you led with USCIS.
Copies. You should submit legible photocopies of requested documents unless the Instructions specically instruct you to
submit an original document. USCIS may request an original document at any time during our process. If we request an
original document from you, we will return it to you after USCIS determines it no longer needs the original.
NOTE: If you submit original documents when they are not required or requested, USCIS or the Immigration Court
may destroy them after we receive them.
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Translations. If you submit a document with information in a foreign language, you must also submit a full English
translation. The translator must sign a certication that the English language translation is complete and accurate, and that
they are competent to translate from the foreign language into English. The certication must also include their signature,
printed name, the signature date, and their contact information.
USCIS Contact Center. For additional information on the application and Instructions about where to le, change of
address, and other questions, visit the USCIS Contact Center at www.uscis.gov/contactcenter or call at 800-375-5283
(TTY 800-767-1833). The USCIS Contact Center provides information in English and Spanish.
Disability Accommodations/Modications. To request a disability accommodation/modication, follow the instructions
on your appointment notice or at www.uscis.gov/accommodationsinfo.
Selective Service. Most males between 18 and 26 years of age are required by the Military Selective Service Act
to register with the Selective Service System. Nonimmigrants are not required to register. If USCIS approves your
application, we will send your name, current address, Social Security number, date of birth, and the date you led the
application to the Selective Service System for registration. Men can register at a local post oce or at the website,
www.sss.gov.
If USCIS does not approve your application, you are still required to register with the Selective Service System by
using another means. If you have already registered, the Selective Service System will check its records to avoid any
duplication.
Acknowledgement of Selective Service. Review the Selective Service Acknowledgement in Part 10. The purpose of
this acknowledgement is to conrm that you understand USCIS will be sending your information to the Selective Service
System for registration.
How To Complete Form I-485
1. Type or print legibly in black ink.
2. If you need extra space to complete any item within this application, use the space provided in Part 14. Additional
Information or attach a separate sheet of paper. Type or print your name and Alien Registration Number (A-Number)
(if any) at the top of each sheet; indicate the Page Number, Part Number, and Item Number to which your answer
refers; and sign and date each sheet.
3. Answer all questions fully and accurately. If a question does not apply to you (for example, if you have never been
married and the question asks, “Provide the name of your current spouse”), type or print “N/A,” unless otherwise
directed. If your answer to a question which requires a numeric response is zero or none (for example, “How many
children do you have” or “How many times have you departed the United States”), type or print “None,” unless
otherwise directed.
4. Country of Birth and Country of Citizenship. Part 1., Item Numbers 8. - 9. and (if applicable), Part 4., Item
Numbers 6. and 14., and Part 6., Item Numbers 5., 10., and 15. Provide the name of the country of your birth and
the name of the country of your citizenship. Use the current names of the country of your birth and country of your
citizenship. If you do not have citizenship in any country, type or print “stateless” and provide an explanation in Part
14. Additional Information.
5. USCIS Online Account Number (if any). You will only have a USCIS Online Account Number (OAN) if you
previously led a form that has a receipt number that begins with IOE. If you led the form online, you can nd your
OAN in your account prole. If you mailed us the form, you can nd your OAN at the top of the Account Access
Notice we sent you. If you do not have a receipt number that begins with IOE, you do not have an OAN. The OAN is
not the same as an A-Number.
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6. Alternate and/or Safe Address. If you are ling an adjustment of status application based on VAWA or as a special
immigrant juvenile, human tracking victim (T nonimmigrant), or crime victim (U nonimmigrant) and you do not
feel safe receiving mail about this application at your home address, provide an alternative, safe mailing address in
Part 1., Item Numbers 13.a. - 13.f. This address may be a post oce box, the address of a friend, your attorney, a
community-based organization that is helping you, or any other address where you can safely and timely receive mail.
If you do not provide an alternate, safe address in Part 1., Item Numbers 13.a. - 13.f., USCIS may use the address
of the preparer you listed on your Form I-485. If you do not use a preparer and do not provide a safe address, then
USCIS will use the U.S. Mailing Address you provide in Part 1., Item Numbers 12.a. - 12.f.
7. Questions regarding Social Security Number (SSN). Part 1., Item Number 14. asks if the Social Security
Administration (SSA) has ever ocially issued you a Social Security Card. If the SSA ever issued a Social Security
card to you in your name or a previously used name such as your maiden name, then you must enter the SSN from
your card in Item Number 15.
If your application is approved, the SSA may assign you an SSN and issue you a Social Security card, or issue you
a replacement card. If you want the SSA to assign you a Social Security number and issue you a Social Security
card, or issue you a new or replacement Social Security card, then answer “Yes” to both Item Number 16. and
Item Number 17.
You are not required to request an SSN using this application. Completing Item Numbers 14. - 17. is optional.
However, you must have an SSN properly assigned in your name to work in the United States.
If your employer uses E-Verify to conrm new employees’ eligibility to legally work in the United States, the
information you provide on Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verication, will be compared to data in SSA and
DHS databases. Employees must have an SSN in order for E-Verify to conrm their eligibility to legally work in the
United States.
NOTE: Based on existing condentiality provisions (see 8 U.S.C. 1255a(c)(5) and Section (c)(5) of Pub. L. 106-
553), USCIS will not share information with SSA if an applicant les Form I-485 based on the legalization program
in Section 245A of the INA or the LIFE Act (Pub. L. 106-553), as amended by the LIFE Act Amendments (Pub. L.
106-544). Applicants covered by these condentiality provisions may not waive them and should contact SSA after
the approval of their Form I-485.
8. Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record. If U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or USCIS issued you a Form
I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, provide your Form I-94 number and date that your authorized period of stay expires
or expired (as shown on Form I-94). The Form I-94 number also is known as the Departure Number on some versions
of Form I-94.
NOTE: If CBP admitted you into the United States at an airport or seaport after April 30, 2013, they may have issued
you an electronic Form I-94 instead of a paper Form I-94. You may visit the CBP website at www.cbp.gov/i94 to
obtain a paper version of your electronic Form I-94. CBP does not charge a fee for this service. Some travelers may
also be able to obtain a replacement Form I-94 from the CBP website for free if they were admitted to the United
States at a land border, airport, or seaport after April 30, 2013, with a passport or travel document and received a
paper Form I-94 from CBP. If you cannot obtain your Form I-94 from the CBP website, you may obtain it by ling
Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Record, with USCIS. USCIS does
charge a fee for Form I-102. See Form G-1055, available at www.uscis.gov/forms, for specic information about the
fees applicable to this form.
Passport and Travel Document Numbers. If you used a passport or travel document to travel to the United States,
enter either the passport or travel document information in the appropriate space on the application, even if the
passport or travel document is currently expired.
9. Biographic Information. Provide the biographic information requested in Part 7., Item Numbers 1. - 6. Providing
this information as part of your application may reduce the time you spend at your USCIS ASC appointment as
described in the Biometric Services Appointment section of these Instructions.
A. Ethnicity and Race. Select the boxes that best describe your ethnicity and race.
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Categories and Denitions for Ethnicity and Race
(1) Hispanic or Latino. A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other
Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. (NOTE: This category is only included under Ethnicity in
Part 7., Item Number 1.)
(2) American Indian or Alaska Native. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and
South America (including Central America), and who maintains tribal aliation or community attachment.
(3) Asian. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the
Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the
Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam.
(4) Black or African American. A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.
(5) Native Hawaiian or Other Pacic Islander. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of
Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacic Islands.
(6) White. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.
B. Height. Select the values that best match your height in feet and inches. For example, if you are ve feet and
nine inches, select “5” for feet and “09” for inches. Do not enter your height in meters or centimeters.
C. Weight. Enter your weight in pounds. If you do not know your weight, or need to enter a weight under 30
pounds or over 699 pounds, enter “000.” Do not enter your weight in kilograms.
D. Eye Color. Select the box that best describes the color of your eyes.
E. Hair Color. Select the box that best describes the color of your hair.
10. Part 8. General Eligibility and Inadmissibility Grounds. Select the answer you think is correct. If you answer
“Yes” to any questions (or if you answer “No,” but are unsure of your answer), provide an explanation of the
events and circumstances in the space provided in Part 14. Additional Information.
If you answer “Yes” to Part 8., Item Number 61., you are required to complete Item Numbers 62. - 68.d. To nd
out whether you are subject to the public charge ground of inadmissibility, see the USCIS Policy Manual Volume 8,
Part G, Chapter 3 at https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-8-part-g-chapter-3.
For Part 8., Item Number 62., the following individuals are members of your household and should be includes in
your household size:
• You;
• Your spouse, if physically residing with you;
• Your parents, if physically residing with you;
• Your unmarried siblings under 21 years of age, if physically residing with you;
• Your children as dened in INA 101(b)(1), if physically residing with you;
• Any other individuals (including a spouse or child not physically residing with you) who are listed as dependents
on your federal income tax return; and
• Any other individuals who list you as a dependent on their federal income tax return.
For Part 8., Item Number 63., please check the appropriate box for your household’s annual income. You may
include income provided to your household from sources who are not members of your household, including but
not limited to alimony or child support. You must exclude any income from Supplemental Security Income (SSI);
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); State, Tribal, territorial, or local cash benet programs for income
maintenance (often called “General Assistance” in the State context, but which also exist under other names). You
must also exclude any income from illegal activities or sources such as proceeds from illegal gambling or drug sales.
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For Part 8., Item Number 64., please check the appropriate box for the total value of your household assets. You
must exclude any assets from illegal activities or sources such as proceeds from illegal gambling or drug sales. You
may not include assets that are not owned by the members of your household.
For Part 8., Item Number 65., please check the appropriate box for the total value of your household liabilities
(including both secured and unsecured liabilities). Only include liabilities owed by members of your household.
For Part 8., Item Number 67., please list all of your certications, licenses, skills obtained through work experience,
and educational certicates. This includes but is not limited to your workforce skills, training, licenses for specic
occupations or professions, foreign language skills, and certicates documenting mastery or apprenticeships in skilled
trades or professions. Educational certicates are issued by an educational institution (or a training provider) and
certify that an occupation specic program of study was completed.
If you answer “Yes” to Part 8., Item Number 68.a., complete the table in Part 8., Item Number 68.c., showing the
dates of receipt and dollar amount received of public cash assistance for income maintenance: Supplemental Security
Income (SSI); Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); State, Tribal, territorial, or local cash benet
programs for income maintenance (often called “General Assistance” in the State context, but which also exist under
other names).
NOTE: Item Numbers 68.a. - 68.d. are only asking about public benets (in other words, public cash assistance
for income maintenance and long-term institutionalization at government expense) you received in the past or are
currently receiving at the time the Form I-485 is led, and where you were/are a listed beneciary. Do not include
any public benets for which you are not listed as a beneciary, even if you assisted with the application. Do not
include benets that you only applied for, or were approved to receive in the future but have not received in the past
and/or are not currently receiving. Do not include public benets you received only on behalf of another individual.
If you answer “Yes” to Part 8., Item Number 68.b., complete the table Part 8., Item Number 68.d. showing the
name, city, and state of each institution in which you received long-term institutionalization at government expense.
Do not include imprisonment for conviction of a crime or institutionalization for short periods for rehabilitation
purposes. If you believe that your institutionalization violated Federal law, including the American Disabilities Act or
the Rehabilitation Act, you must submit documentation to support your claim.
For more information on the receipt of public benets and its impact on public charge
inadmissibility determinations, please see USCIS Policy Manual Volume 8, Part G, at
https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-8-part-g and the Public Charge Resources web content at
https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/public-charge/public-charge-resources.
11. Part 10. Applicant’s Statement, Contact Information, Declaration, Certication, and Signature. Select the
appropriate box to indicate whether you read this application yourself or whether you had an interpreter assist you.
If someone assisted you in completing the application, select the box indicating that you used a preparer. Further,
you must sign and date your application and provide your daytime telephone number, mobile telephone number (if
any), and email address (if any). Every application MUST contain the signature of the applicant (or parent or legal
guardian, if applicable). A stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature is not acceptable.
12. Part 11. Interpreter’s Contact Information, Certication, and Signature. If you used anyone as an interpreter
to read the Instructions and questions on this application to you in a language in which you are uent, the interpreter
must ll out this section, provide his or her name, the name and address of his or her business or organization (if any),
his or her daytime telephone number, his or her mobile telephone number (if any), and his or her email address (if
any). The interpreter must sign and date the application.
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13. Part 12. Contact Information, Declaration, and Signature of the Person Preparing this Application, if Other
Than the Applicant. This section must contain the signature of the person who completed your application, if
other than you, the applicant. If the same individual acted as your interpreter and your preparer, that person should
complete both Part 11. and Part 12. If the person who completed this application is associated with a business or
organization, that person should complete the business or organization name and address information. Anyone who
helped you complete this application MUST sign and date the application. A stamped or typewritten name in place
of a signature is not acceptable. If the person who helped you prepare your application is an attorney or accredited
representative, he or she may be obliged to also submit a completed Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as
Attorney or Accredited Representative, along with your application.
We recommend that you review your copy of your completed application before you go to your biometric
services appointment at a USCIS ASC. At your appointment, USCIS will allow you to complete the application
process only if you are able to conrm, under penalty of perjury, that all of the information in your application is
complete, true, and correct. If you are not able to make that attestation in good faith at that time, we will require you to
return for another appointment.
What Evidence Must You Submit with Form I-485?
The specic evidence you are required to submit with your application may vary depending on the immigrant category
you are ling under. Read about each type of evidence below to see if it applies to you; see also the Additional
Instructions for more category-specic information.
You must submit all evidence requested in these Instructions with your application. If you fail to submit required
evidence, USCIS may reject or deny your application for failure to submit requested evidence or supporting documents in
accordance with 8 CFR 103.2(b)(1) and these Instructions.
Failure to submit all required evidence and documentation when ling Form I-485 may also delay processing of
your application and any related applications based on Form I-485, such as Form I-765, Application for Employment
Authorization, or Form I-131, Application for Travel Document.
If you are unable to submit the required primary evidence (for example, a birth certicate or marriage certicate), you
may provide secondary evidence (for example, church or school records) instead if you can explain why the primary
evidence is unavailable. If you are unable to submit secondary evidence, you may submit two or more adavits, sworn to
or armed by individuals who are not parties to the immigration benet sought and who have direct personal knowledge
of the event and circumstances. You must also explain why primary and secondary evidence are unavailable.
1. Photographs
You must submit two identical color passport-style photographs of yourself taken recently. The photos must have a
white to o-white background, be printed on thin paper with a glossy nish, and be unmounted and unretouched.
The photos must be 2 by 2 inches with a full face, frontal view. Head height should measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches from
the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin, and eye height should measure between 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches from the
top of your eyes to the bottom of the photo. Your head must be bare unless you are wearing headwear as required by
your religious denomination. Use a pencil or felt pen to lightly print your name and A-Number (if any) on the back of
the photos.
2. Government-Issued Identity Document with Photograph
All Form I-485 applicants should submit a photocopy of a government-issued identity document that has their
photograph. Typically, this will be your passport or similar document, even if the passport is now expired. It can also
be any other government-issued identity document such as a driver’s license or military identication document.
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 11 of 42
3. Birth Certicate
All Form I-485 applicants, except refugees and asylees, must submit a photocopy of their birth certicate issued by
the appropriate civil authority from the country of birth. Although refugees and asylees are not required to submit a
photocopy of their birth certicate, if the birth certicate is available, refugees and asylees should submit a copy of the
birth certicate. USCIS will only accept a long-form birth certicate which lists at least one parent.
If your birth certicate is unavailable or does not exist, you must prove its unavailability or nonexistence and provide
acceptable alternative evidence of birth. (Refugees and asylees do not need to prove unavailability or nonexistence
of their birth certicate.) You can look up your country of birth on the following website, https://travel.state.gov/
content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country.html, to see if birth certicates are
known to be unavailable or nonexistent in that country.
If this resource shows that birth certicates from your country of birth are generally unavailable or nonexistent, you
do not need to do anything to prove that your birth certicate is unavailable or nonexistent.
If this resource does not show that birth certicates from your country of birth are generally unavailable or
nonexistent, you must submit an original document from the relevant governmental authority explaining why your
birth record does not exist and indicate whether similar records for the time and place are available.
When your birth certicate is not available or does not exist, you must submit other acceptable evidence relating to
the facts of your birth, such as church or school records, hospital or medical records, personal adavits, or similar
evidence.
4. Inspection and Admission or Inspection and Parole
Unless applying under INA section 245(i), most Form I-485 applicants must submit photocopies of documentation
showing they were inspected by an immigration ocer and either admitted or paroled into the United States. The
following types of applicants do NOT need to submit documentation of inspection and admission or parole: registry
applicants, asylees, VAWA self-petitioners, special immigrant juveniles, T nonimmigrants applying under INA section
245(l), U nonimmigrants applying under INA section 245(m), and individuals born under diplomatic status in the
United States.
You must establish any claim that you were admitted or paroled into the United States.
This evidence must relate to your most recent arrival into the United States. Submit copies of the following
documents, if available:
A. Passport page with admission or parole stamp (issued by a U.S. immigration ocer);
B. Passport page with nonimmigrant visa; and
C. Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record (See Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record in the General Instructions
section of these Instructions).
If you cannot produce this primary evidence, and DHS has no record of the admission or parole, USCIS will presume
that you came into the United States without admission or parole.
You may, however, provide secondary evidence (records maintained in the ordinary course of business by any
individual or organization other than DHS) to support your claim that you were admitted or paroled.
If no secondary evidence is available, you may submit separate written statements, signed under penalty of perjury
under United States law, from yourself and from any other individuals who have personal knowledge of the
circumstances of your claimed admission or parole. Any statement should explain in detail when and where you came
into the United States; what travel documents you had, if any; whether you showed them to the immigration inspector;
any questions the immigration inspector asked; and any other details about your claimed admission or parole.
5. Documentation of Your Immigrant Category (see Part 2., Item Numbers 1.a. - 1.g. of Form I-485)
All Form I-485 applicants must submit evidence showing that they are eligible for adjustment of status in a particular
immigrant category.
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 12 of 42
Filing as a Beneciary of an Immigrant Petition
If you are ling as a beneciary of an immigrant petition, you generally must submit a photocopy of Form I-797,
Approval Notice, for your petition (or the principal applicant’s petition, if you are a derivative applicant), as
appropriate.
If you are ling as a principal applicant and your immigrant category allows you to le Form I-485 before your
petition is approved, you may submit your Form I-485 together with:
A. Your immigrant petition; or
B. A photocopy of Form I-797, Receipt Notice, for your immigrant petition.
If you are ling as a derivative applicant based on the principal applicant’s petition, you may submit your Form I-485
together with a photocopy of:
A. Form I-797, Approval or Receipt Notice, for the principal applicant’s immigrant petition (if applicable); and
B. Form I-797, Approval or Receipt Notice, for the principal applicant’s Form I-485 (if applicable) or a copy of the
principal applicant’s Form I-551 (Green Card) (if applicable).
Filing Your Form I-485 Based on a Category That Does Not Require an Underlying Petition
If you are ling your Form I-485 based on a category that does not require an underlying immigrant petition, you must
submit other documentation. See the Additional Instructions for more category-specic information.
6. Marriage Certicate and Other Proof of Relationship
If you are ling Form I-485 as the derivative applicant spouse of the principal applicant, you generally must submit
a photocopy of your marriage certicate issued by the appropriate civil authority where the marriage took place.
Refugee derivative applicant spouses do not need to submit a photocopy of the marriage certicate. There are also
some immigrant categories that require the principal applicant to submit a marriage certicate (for example, K-1
nonimmigrants (person admitted to the United States as a ancé(e)), abused spouses and children under the Cuban
Adjustment Act (CAA), Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (HRIFA) dependents, and abused spouses and
children under HRIFA). See the Additional Instructions for more category-specic information.
If either party to this marriage was previously married, you must also submit evidence to prove the legal termination
of any prior marriages, typically a divorce certicate or death certicate. If a required marriage certicate (or divorce
certicate or death certicate) is unavailable or does not exist, you must demonstrate its unavailability/nonexistence
and provide other acceptable evidence as explained above for birth certicates.
If you are ling as the derivative applicant child of the principal applicant and your birth certicate does not show
that the principal applicant is your parent, you must submit a photocopy of your parents’ marriage certicate, your
adoption certicate, or other proof of your parent-child relationship with the principal applicant. Refugee derivative
applicant children, however, do not need to submit proof of the parent-child relationship with the principal applicant.
7. Evidence of Continuously Maintaining a Lawful Status Since Arrival in the United States
Anyone applying under the following immigrant categories must submit evidence to show they have continuously
maintained lawful immigration status while in the United States and are therefore not barred from adjustment by INA
section 245(c)(2): applicants applying under a family-based preference category or an employment-based preference
category; special immigrant religious workers, Afghan or Iraqi nationals, and international broadcasters; and selectees
under the Diversity Visa Lottery program.
Acceptable evidence may include, but is not limited to, copies of the following documents:
A. Form I-797 approval notices for all extensions and changes of nonimmigrant status;
B. Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record, including printouts of paperless I-94 admissions;
C. Form I-20, Certicate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status - For Academic and Language
Students, or Form I-20, Certicate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status - For Vocational
Students, including all pages containing notations by authorized school ocials;
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 13 of 42
D. Form DS-2019 (formerly IAP 66), Certicate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status, including all pages
containing notations by authorized exchange visitor program ocials; or
E. Passport page with an admission or parole stamp (issued by a U.S. immigration ocer).
Include evidence for every time you entered the United States and for the time periods spent in the United States. See
the Additional Instructions for information on whether your specic immigrant category requires this evidence.
If you are applying as an employment-based rst preference, second preference, or third preference applicant or as a
fourth preference special immigrant religious worker and you believe you are exempted from this bar by INA section
245(k), you should submit evidence to prove you qualify for this exemption. For more information, see
www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/adjustment-status.
8. Adavit of Support/Conrmation of Bona Fide Job Oer or Request for Job Portability Under INA Section
204(j) (Supplement J)
A. Adavit of Support
Submit an Adavit of Support (Form I-864) if your Form I-485 is based on your entry as a ancé(e), a relative
visa petition (Form I-130) led by your relative, or an employment-based visa petition (Form I-140) related to a
business that is ve percent or more owned by your family.
B. Conrmation of Bona Fide Job Oer or Request for Job Portability Under INA Section 204(j)
(Supplement J)
If your Form I-485 is related to an employment based visa petition (Form I-140) led in an employment-based
immigrant visa category that requires a job oer, and you are ling Form I-485 after the employer led the Form
I-140 on your behalf, you must le Form I-485 Supplement J, Conrmation of Bona Fide Job Oer or Request for
Job Portability under INA Section 204(j) (Supplement J), together with your Form I-485. For more information
about this requirement, please read the instructions to Supplement J. If you are ling Form I-485 together with
a Form I-140 led on your behalf, you do not need to le Supplement J at this time. At any time during the
adjudication process, USCIS may request that you le Supplement J.
NOTE: Individuals seeking or granted a National Interest Waiver of the job oer requirement and individuals
seeking or granted classication as an alien of extraordinary ability under INA section 203(b)(1)(A) do not need to
le Supplement J. Because these employment-based immigrant visa categories are not tied to a specic job oer,
individuals seeking or granted classication as an alien of extraordinary ability, or seeking or granted a National
Interest Waiver of the job oer requirement, do not have to le Supplement J when ling Form I-485 or to request job
portability under INA section 204(j).
If you led Form I-140 as a self-petitioner, you must intend to work in the occupational eld specied in the Form
I-140. You must provide a signed statement conrming this intent, unless you are ling Form I-485 together with
your Form I-140.
Job Portability. If you properly led Form I-485 and it remains pending with USCIS for 180 days or more after
ling, you may be eligible to “port” to a job other than the one oered in the Form I-140. The new job oer must be
for a permanent, full-time position in the same or similar occupational classication as the job oered in the Form
I-140 that is the basis of your Form I-485. You must le Supplement J in order to request such job portability. For
more information, please read the instructions to Supplement J. You may also visit the USCIS website at
www.uscis.gov.
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 14 of 42
9. Evidence of Financial Support
In general, you must demonstrate that you are not likely to become a public charge. This means you must show that
you will be able to nancially support yourself as a lawful permanent resident living indenitely in the United States.
Generally, all immediate relative and family-based adjustment applicants (beneciaries of Form I-129F, Petition
for Alien Fiancé(e), and Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative) must have a Form I-864. Some employment-
based applicants must also have a Form I-864, Adavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act (whether they
are beneciaries of a Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, or a Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian,
Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, if led in relation to certain employment-based immigrant visa classications).
See the Instructions for Form I-864 to determine when Form I-864 is required and whether an exemption may be
available. If you are exempt from the Adavit of Support requirement, you may need to le Form I-864W, Intending
Immigrant’s Adavit of Support Exemption.
For more information about Form I-864 requirements, visit www.uscis.gov/i-864. For more information about the
Form I-864W, visit www.uscis.gov/i-864w. For more information on how receiving public benets may impact how
USCIS determines if you are likely to become a public charge, visit www.uscis.gov.
10. Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (Form I-693)
Form I-485 applicants for adjustment of status are required to have a medical examination to show that they are free
from health conditions that would make them inadmissible. This does not apply to registry applicants and individuals
born under diplomatic immunity in the United States. If you are ling Form I-485 under the nonimmigrant ancé(e),
asylee, or refugee category, see the Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record,
Instructions for more information on whether you need to submit the full Form I-693 or only certain parts because you
already had a medical examination overseas.
Only a USCIS designated civil surgeon can perform this medical examination in the United States. The civil surgeon
must document the results of your medical examination on Form I-693. For more information on the medical
examination, see the Form I-693 Instructions.
You are NOT required to submit Form I-693 at the time you le your adjustment application, but may do so if you
wish. Because of the time-limited validity of Form I-693, you may choose to submit your Form I-693 after you le
your Form I-485. You may also submit Form I-693 in person at an interview in a USCIS eld oce, if an interview is
required. By waiting to submit Form I-693, you may avoid having to repeat the immigration medical examination.
For more information about Form I-693 requirements, visit www.uscis.gov/i-693.
11. Certied Police and Court Records of Criminal Charges, Arrests, or Convictions
You must submit certied police and court records for any criminal charges, arrests, or convictions you may have.
A. If you were EVER arrested or detained by a law enforcement ocer for any reason anywhere in the world,
including the United States, and no criminal charges were led, you must submit:
(1) An original or certied copy of the complete arrest report; and
(2) Either an ocial statement by the arresting or detaining agency or prosecutor’s oce OR an applicable court
order that indicates the nal disposition of your arrest or detention;
B. If you were EVER charged for any reason (even if you were not arrested) anywhere in the world, including the
United States, you must submit:
(1) An original or certied copy of the complete arrest report; and
(2) Certied copies of BOTH the indictment, information, or other formal charging document AND the nal
disposition of each charge (for example, a dismissal order or acquittal order);
C. If you were EVER convicted or placed in an alternative sentencing or rehabilitative program (such as probation,
drug treatment, deferred adjudication, or community service program) anywhere in the world, including the
United States, you must submit:
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 15 of 42
(1) An original or certied copy of the complete arrest report;
(2) Certied copies of the following: the indictment, information, or other formal charging document; any plea
agreement, whether in the form of a court ling or recording in a hearing transcript; and the nal disposition
for each incident (for example, conviction record, deferred adjudication order, probation order); and
(3) Either an original or certied copy of your probation or parole record showing that you completed the
mandated sentence, conditions set for the deferred adjudication, or rehabilitative program OR documentation
showing that you completed the alternative sentencing or rehabilitative program; or
D. If you EVER had any arrest or conviction vacated, set aside, sealed, expunged, or otherwise removed from your
record anywhere in the world, you must submit:
(1) An original or certied copy of the complete arrest report; the indictment, information, or other formal
charging document; any plea agreement, whether in the form of a court ling or recording in a hearing
transcript; and the nal disposition for each incident (for example, conviction record, deferred adjudication
order, probation order); and
(2) A certied copy of the court order vacating, setting aside, sealing, expunging, or otherwise removing the
arrest or conviction.
You must disclose all arrests and charges, even if the arrest occurred when you were a minor. An adjudication of
juvenile delinquency is not a “conviction” under U.S. immigration law, but a juvenile can be charged as an adult for
an oense committed while a juvenile. If you were convicted as an adult, there is a conviction, regardless of whether
you were tried before a criminal court or a juvenile court. An adjudication of juvenile delinquency could also be
relevant to the exercise of discretion. If you claim that an arrest resulted in adjudication of delinquency, and not in a
conviction, you must submit a copy of the court document that establishes this fact.
In general, you do not need to submit documentation relating to trac nes and incidents that did not involve an
actual physical arrest if the penalty was only a ne of less than $500 or points on your driver’s license. However,
you must submit such documentation if the trac incident resulted in criminal charges or involved alcohol, drugs, or
injury to a person or property.
If you are not able to obtain certied copies of any court disposition relating to Items 11.A. - 11.D., please submit:
A. An explanation of why the documents are not available, including (if possible) a certicate from the custodian of
the documents explaining why the documents are not available;
B. Any secondary evidence that shows the disposition of the case; or
C. If secondary evidence is also not available, one or more written statements, signed under penalty of perjury under
28 U.S.C. section 1746, by someone who has personal knowledge of the disposition.
12. Waiver of Inadmissibility
If you are inadmissible to the United States based on one or more grounds of inadmissibility outlined in INA section
212(a), you cannot adjust status unless you qualify for a waiver of inadmissibility or other form of relief. Whether or
not you qualify for a waiver or other form of relief depends on the grounds of inadmissibility that apply to you and the
specic immigrant category you are applying under.
If USCIS (or the Immigration Court, if you are in deportation, exclusion, or removal proceedings) determines that
none of the grounds of inadmissibility apply to you, then you are admissible to the United States and there is no need
for you to le a waiver of inadmissibility or other form of relief.
If USCIS (or the Immigration Court, if you are in deportation, exclusion, or removal proceedings) determines that
a ground of inadmissibility does apply to you, you may need to seek a waiver or other form of relief that would
eliminate the inadmissibility.
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 16 of 42
You can learn more about waivers and other forms of relief by reading the Instructions for Form I-601, Application
for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility, at www.uscis.gov/I-601, and Form I-212, Application for Permission to
Reapply for Admission into the United States After Deportation or Removal, at www.uscis.gov/I-212. Refugee and
asylee applicants for adjustment of status should also see Form I-602, Application by Refugee for Waiver of Grounds
of Excludability, at www.uscis.gov/I-602.
13. Documentation Regarding J-1 or J-2 Exchange Visitor Status
If you previously held or currently hold J-1 (principal) or J-2 (dependent) nonimmigrant exchange visitor status,
you must submit copies of all relevant Forms IAP-66 and/or Forms DS-2019, Certicate of Eligibility for Exchange
Visitor (J-1) Status, ever issued to you (if available). You must also submit copies of all available J-1 or J-2
nonimmigrant visas issued to you, and copies of all available Form I-94 and passport pages with entry stamps
showing your admission to the United States in J-1 or J-2 status.
In addition, if your J status made you subject to the 2-year foreign residence requirement of INA section 212(e), you
must submit documentation to show that you complied with the foreign residence requirement, have been granted a
waiver of the requirement before ling Form I-485, or were issued a favorable waiver recommendation letter from
DOS before ling Form I-485. You can show you complied with the requirement by submitting evidence to prove
you resided in the appropriate home country for at least two years since your exchange visitor program ended. For
information about waiver of the requirement, see the Instructions for Form I-612, Application for Waiver of the
Foreign Residence Requirement.
14. Waiver of Diplomatic Rights, Privileges, Exemptions, and Immunities
If you currently hold A, G, or E nonimmigrant status and you enjoy certain diplomatic privileges and immunities
as a result of that status, you must submit Form I-508, Application for Waiver of Rights, Privileges, Exemptions
and Immunities (and Form I-508F for French nationals) with your Form I-485. In addition, if you have A, G, or
NATO nonimmigrant status, you must le Form I-566, Interagency Record of Request - A, G or NATO Dependent
Employment Authorization or Change/Adjustment to/from A, G or NATO Status, with your Form I-485.
15. Evidence relating to the Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility
Applicants, with one exception, are not required to provide any initial evidence relating to the public charge ground of
inadmissibility with their adjustment of status application. If you believe that your institutionalization violated federal
law, including the American Disabilities Act or the Rehabilitation Act, you must submit documentation to support
your claim. If USCIS requires additional evidence to determine if you are inadmissible under the public charge
ground of inadmissibility, it will issue a Request for Evidence and consider all evidence that you provide in response.
Where To File?
Please see our website at www.uscis.gov/i-485 for the most current information about where to le this application.
If you are in proceedings in Immigration Court (that is, if you have been served with Form I-221, Order to Show Cause
and Notice of Hearing; Form I-122, Notice to Applicant for Admission Detained for Hearing Before an Immigration
Judge; Form I-862, Notice to Appear; or Form I-863, Notice of Referral to Immigration Judge, that DHS led with the
Immigration Court), you should le this application with the appropriate Immigration Court. The DHS attorney will
provide you with pre-order ling instructions regarding background and security investigations.
Address Change
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must notify USCIS of your new address within 10 days of moving
from your previous residence. For information on changing your address, go to our website at
www.uscis.gov/addresschange, or call the USCIS Contact Center.
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 17 of 42
If you are already in proceedings in Immigration Court, you must also notify the Immigration Court
on EOIR Form 33/IC, Alien’s Change of Address Form/Immigration Court, of any changes of address
within five days of the change in address. The EOIR Form 33/IC is available on the EOIR website at
www.justice.gov/eoir/form-eoir-33-eoir-immigration-court-listing.
NOTE: Do not submit a change of address request to the USCIS Lockbox.
Processing Information
You must be physically present in the United States and provide a United States address to le this application.
Initial Processing. Once USCIS accepts your application, we will check it for completeness. If you do not properly
complete this application, you will not establish a basis for your eligibility and we may reject or deny your application.
Requests for More Information. We may request that you provide more information or evidence to support your
application. We may also request that you provide the originals of any copies you submit. If USCIS or the Immigration
Court requests an original document from you, we will return it to you after USCIS or the Immigration Court determines
it no longer needs your original.
Requests for Interview. We may request that you appear at a USCIS oce for an interview based on your application.
During your interview, USCIS may require you to provide your biometrics to verify your identity and/or update
background and security checks.
Decision. The decision on Form I-485 involves a determination of whether you have established eligibility for the
immigration benet you are seeking. USCIS or the Immigration Court will notify you of our decision in writing.
If You Leave the United States While Your Application Is Pending
If you are applying for adjustment of status under INA section 245, and you travel anywhere outside the United States
(including brief visits to Canada or Mexico) while your application is pending, USCIS will deny your Form I-485 unless:
1. Before you leave the United States, you obtain a grant of advance parole by ling Form I-131, you depart and return
to a U.S. port of entry while the Advance Parole Document is valid, and you are paroled into the United States upon
your return; or
2. You are an H, L, V, or K3/K4 nonimmigrant who is maintaining lawful nonimmigrant status and you return with a
valid H, L, V, or K3/K4 nonimmigrant visa.
If you are applying for adjustment of status under INA section 209 because you were admitted as a refugee or granted
asylum, you may travel abroad and return to the United States with a refugee travel document. You may obtain a refugee
travel document by ling Form I-131 as specied in the Form I-131 Instructions. However, see Form I-131 Instructions
for a travel warning regarding voluntary re-availment.
If you are applying for registry under INA section 249 and 8 CFR 249, you do not abandon your registry application
by traveling abroad while it is pending. However, if you do not obtain an Advance Parole Document, you may not be able
to return lawfully to the United States. You may obtain an Advance Parole Document by ling Form I-131 as specied in
the Form I-131 Instructions.
USCIS Forms and Information
To ensure you are using the latest version of this application, visit www.uscis.gov.
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 18 of 42
Penalties
If you knowingly and willfully falsify or conceal a material fact or submit a false document with your Form I-485, we will
deny your Form I-485 and may deny any other immigration benet. In addition, you will face severe penalties provided
by law and may be subject to criminal prosecution.
USCIS Compliance Review and Monitoring
By signing this application, you have stated under penalty of perjury (28 U.S.C. section 1746) that all information and
documentation submitted with this application are complete, true, and correct. You also authorize the release of any
information from your records that USCIS may need to determine your eligibility for the immigration benet you are
seeking and consent to USCIS verifying such information.
DHS has the authority to verify any information you submit to establish eligibility for the immigration benet you are
seeking at any time. Our legal authority to verify this information is in 8 U.S.C. sections 1103, 1155, and 1184, and 8
CFR parts 103, 204, 205, and 214. To ensure compliance with applicable laws and authorities, we may verify information
before or after your case is decided.
Agency verication methods may include, but are not limited to: reviewing public records and information; contacting
through written correspondence; using the internet, fax, other electronic transmission, or telephone; making unannounced
physical site inspections of residences and locations of employment; and interviewing people. USCIS will use the
information we obtain to assess your compliance with the laws and to determine your eligibility for an immigration
benet.
Subject to the restrictions under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(16), USCIS will provide you with an opportunity to address any adverse
or derogatory information that may result from a USCIS compliance review, verication, or site visit before a decision is
made on your request or after the agency has initiated an adverse action which may result in rescission or termination of
lawful permanent resident status. For a visit after your request is approved, USCIS will provide you with an opportunity
to address any adverse or derogatory information which may result in revocation or termination of an approval.
USCIS Privacy Act Statement
AUTHORITIES: The information requested on this application, and the associated evidence, is collected under INA
sections 101 et seq., as amended, and related public laws and regulations.
PURPOSE: The primary purpose for providing the requested information on this application is to determine if you have
established eligibility to adjust status to that of a permanent resident of the United States or register permanent residence.
DHS will use the information you provide to grant or deny your application to adjust status to lawful permanent resident.
DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested information, and
any requested evidence, may delay a nal decision in your case or result in denial of your application.
ROUTINE USES: DHS may share the information you provide on this application with other Federal, state, local,
and foreign government agencies and authorized organizations. DHS follows approved routine uses described in the
associated published system of records notices [DHS/USCIS-007 - Benets Information System and DHS/USCIS-001
- Alien File, Index, and National File Tracking System of Records] which you can nd at www.dhs.gov/privacy. DHS
may also share the information, as appropriate, for law enforcement purposes or in the interest of national security.
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 19 of 42
Paperwork Reduction Act
USCIS may not conduct or sponsor an information collection, and you are not required to respond to a collection of
information, unless it displays a currently valid Oce of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The public
reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated at 6.987 hours minutes per response, including the time
for reviewing instructions, gathering the required documentation and information, completing the application, preparing
statements, attaching necessary documentation, and submitting the application. The collection of biometrics is estimated
to require 1.17 hours. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information,
including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Oce of Policy and
Strategy, Regulatory Coordination Division, 5900 Capital Gateway Drive, Mail Stop #2140, Camp Springs, MD 20588-
0009; OMB No. 1615-0023. Do not mail your completed Form I-485 to this address.
Checklist
I have signed Form I-485 in Part 10., Item Number 6.a.
I have included the appropriate fee, if not exempted or waived.
I have read these Instructions and the following Additional Instructions (if any) relating to my specic immigrant
category.
I have included all of the required documentation listed in these Instructions and in the following Additional
Instructions (if any) relating to my specic immigrant category.
Additional Instructions
The purpose of these additional instructions is to provide more specic information on each immigrant category. You
must read the additional instructions that apply to your specic immigrant category as well as the previous main
instructions for Form I-485. If your immigrant category is not discussed here, it is because there are no additional
instructions for that category.
Additional Instructions for Family-Based Applicants
Immediate relative of a U.S. citizen (Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative)
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens include the following relatives of U.S. citizens: spouses, unmarried children under 21
years of age, and parents (if the U.S. citizen is 21 years of age or older).
Immediate relatives do not have to wait until Form I-130 is approved to le Form I-485. You may le your Form I-485
together with your Form I-130, while Form I-130 is pending, or after your Form I-130 is approved. Immediate relatives
always have a visa available once Form I-130 is approved.
Derivative applicants are not allowed in this category.
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 20 of 42
Other relative of a U.S. citizen or relative of a lawful permanent resident under the family-based
preference categories (Form I-130)
Family-based preference categories include: unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of U.S. citizens;
spouses, unmarried children (under 21 years of age) and unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of
lawful permanent residents; married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens; and brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (if the
U.S. citizen is 21 years of age or older).
If a visa is immediately available, applicants ling under a family-based preference immigrant category do not have to
wait until Form I-130 is approved to le Form I-485. If a visa is immediately available, you may le your Form I-485
together with your Form I-130, while Form I-130 is pending, or after your Form I-130 is approved. Otherwise, you may
le your Form I-485 only after your Form I-130 is approved and a visa is immediately available. See the When Should I
File Form I-485 section for more information.
Person admitted to the United States as a ancé(e) or child of a ancé(e) of a U.S. citizen (Form I-129F)
(K-1/K-2 nonimmigrant)
Nonimmigrant ancé(e) beneciaries of Form I-129F always have a visa available, but may le Form I-485 only after
marrying the U.S. citizen (Form I-129F petitioner) within the requisite 90-day period after admission to the United States
on a K-1 visa.
In addition to the evidence listed in the What Evidence Must You Submit with Form I-485 section, you must submit
a copy of the marriage certicate to show that the K-1 nonimmigrant ancé(e) married the U.S. citizen (Form I-129F
petitioner) in the 90-day period. This additional requirement applies to both K-1 principal and K-2 derivative applicants.
Widow or widower of a U.S. citizen
If you are the widow(er) of a deceased individual who was a U.S. citizen at the time of death, you may be eligible to le
Form I-485.
If your deceased citizen spouse did not le Form I-130 for you before dying, you may le Form I-360 as long as you le
Form I-360 no more than two years after the date your spouse died. You do not have to wait until Form I-360 is approved
to le Form I-485. You may le your Form I-485 together with your Form I-360, while your Form I-360 is pending, or
after your Form I-360 is approved. Widow(er)s always have a visa available once Form I-360 is approved.
Your deceased citizen spouse may have led Form I-130 for you before dying. In this case, you may le Form I-485
while Form I-130 is pending or after it is approved. If Form I-130 is approved, it will be considered an approved Form
I-360.
When ling your Form I-485, you should provide a copy of the Form I-797 Approval Notice or Receipt for the Form
I-130 led on your behalf or the Form I-360 you led (unless you are ling Form I-360 together with your Form I-485).
See the When Should I File Form I-485 section above for more information.
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 21 of 42
VAWA self-petitioner (Form I-360)
You may le under this category if you are the victim of battery or extreme cruelty by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent
resident who is your spouse (or former spouse) or parent, OR if you are the victim of battery or extreme cruelty by a
U.S. citizen who is your son or daughter and is at least 21 years of age. Special condentiality protections (described at
8 U.S.C. section 1367) apply to you as the VAWA self-petitioner. 8 U.S.C. section 1367 provides two forms of critical
protection for VAWA self-petitioners. The rst form of protection is a prohibition on adverse determinations against
the victim based on information provided solely by their abuser and other prohibited sources. The second form of
protection is a prohibition on disclosure of any information about the victim to third parties, except in certain very limited
circumstances.
If a visa is immediately available, applicants ling as VAWA self-petitioners do not have to wait until Form I-360 is
approved to le Form I-485. If a visa is immediately available, you may le your Form I-485 together with your Form
I-360, while your Form I-360 is pending, or after your Form I-360 is approved. Otherwise, you may le your Form I-485
only after your Form I-360 is approved and a visa is immediately available. See the When Should I File Form I-485
section above for more information.
NOTE: VAWA-based applicants for adjustment of status are exempt from Adavit of Support requirements; however,
each applicant must include Form I-864W with the adjustment application.
NOTE: USCIS will not accept requests for Change of Address submitted online, mailed to USCIS Lockbox facilities, or
by telephonic requests at the USCIS Contact Center for adjustment of status applications led by VAWA self-petitioners.
For information on ling a change of address go to the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/addresschange or contact the
USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283. For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) call: 1-800-767-1833.
Derivative Applicants
Children of principal applicants may le as derivative applicants. However, you may not le as a derivative if the
principal applicant is a self-petitioning parent of an abusive U.S. citizen son or daughter.
Additional Instructions for Employment-Based Applicants
Alien worker (Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker)
This category applies to the following employment-based immigrant preference classications: rst preference --
including foreign nationals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, or certain multinational
executives and managers; second preference -- members of the professions holding advanced degrees or foreign nationals
of exceptional ability; and third preference -- skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.
If a visa is immediately available, an applicant in the employment-based preference immigrant category does not have to
wait until Form I-140 is approved to le Form I-485. If a visa is immediately available, you may le your Form I-485
together with your Form I-140, while your Form I-140 is pending, or after your Form I-140 is approved. Otherwise, you
may le your Form I-485 only after your Form I-140 is approved and a visa is immediately available. See the When
Should I File Form I-485 section above for more information.
Evidence of Financial Support
In general, if you are ling Form I-485 based on employment, you do not need to submit Form I-864, Adavit of Support
Under Section 213A of the Act. However, you must le Form I-864 if your Form I-140 was led by a relative who is
a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident or by a for-prot entity if 5% or more of the ownership interest is held by
a relative who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. In this context, “relative” means a U.S. citizen or lawful
permanent resident who is your husband, wife, father, mother, child, adult son, adult daughter, or a U.S. citizen who is
your brother or sister.
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 22 of 42
Request for Job Portability
If you properly led Form I-485 and it remains pending with USCIS for 180 days or more after ling, you may be eligible
to “port” to a job other than the one oered in Form I-140, under the authority of INA section 204(j). The new job oer
must be for a permanent, full-time position in the same or similar occupational classication as the job oered in the Form
I-140 that is the basis of your Form I-485. You may request such job portability by sending a typed or printed request to
USCIS which includes a letter from the new employer providing details about the new job and any other documentation
needed to establish eligibility for portability. For more information, visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov.
National Interest Waiver (NIW) Physicians
You may qualify for a National Interest Waiver if you worked full time as a physician for a total of ve years (not
including work while in J-1 status) in a designated medical shortage area or at a Veterans Administration healthcare
facility, and a Federal agency or state department of public health has determined such work is in the public interest.
USCIS will not approve your Form I-485 as an NIW physician until you submit evidence showing you have completed
the full ve years of required employment. You must submit evidence within 120 days of completing the ve years of
required employment. USCIS will consider your Form I-485 ready for nal processing and adjudication once you submit
this evidence.
Alien entrepreneur (Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur)
Alien entrepreneurs are foreign nationals who have invested, or are actively in the process of investing, $1 million (or
$500,000 in a rural or high unemployment area) in a new commercial enterprise which will benet the U.S. economy and
create at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and certain other authorized workers.
If you are ling your Form I-485 under the alien entrepreneur (immigrant investor) category, you may not le your Form
I-485 until USCIS rst approves your Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur, and a visa is immediately
available.
Evidence of Financial Support
If you are ling Form I-485 as an immigrant investor, you do not need to submit evidence of nancial support.
Additional Instructions for Special Immigrants
Religious worker (Form I-360)
Special immigrant religious workers are members of a religious denomination who will be working as a minister or in
another professional capacity in a religious vocation or occupation for the denomination’s bona de nonprot religious
organization in the United States.
If you are ling your Form I-485 under the special immigrant religious worker category, you may not le your Form I-485
until USCIS rst approves your Form I-360, and a visa is immediately available.
Except for ministers, all other religious workers and their derivatives must have their Form I-485 approved on or before
the end date of this program (sunset date). Statutory amendments may extend this date. For information on the sunset
date, please visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/permanent-workers/employment-based-
immigration-fourth-preference-eb-4/special-immigrant-religious-workers.
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 23 of 42
Special immigrant juvenile (Form I-360)
Special immigrant juveniles are unmarried, under 21 years of age at the time of ling Form I-360, and have a qualifying
order from a state juvenile court (see 8 CFR 204.11(a) for the denition of a juvenile court) that makes the ndings
required under INA section 101(a)(27)(J).
If an employment-based fourth preference (EB-4) immigrant visa is immediately available, applicants ling as special
immigrant juveniles do not have to wait until Form I-360 is approved to le Form I-485. If a visa is immediately
available, you may le your Form I-485 together with your Form I-360, while your Form I-360 is pending, or after your
Form I-360 is approved. Otherwise, you may le your Form I-485 only after your Form I-360 is approved and a visa is
immediately available. See the When Should I File Form I-485 section above for more information.
NOTE: USCIS considers anyone granted special immigrant juvenile classication to have been paroled into the United
States for the purpose of special immigrant juvenile based adjustment, regardless of how you actually arrived in the
United States. When lling out Part 1. Information About You of the Form I-485, please list how you actually arrived
in the United States.
Derivative applicants are not allowed in this category.
Evidence of Financial Support
If you are ling Form I-485 as a special immigrant juvenile, you do not need to submit evidence of nancial support.
Certain Afghan or Iraqi national (Form I-360)
Special immigrant Afghan or Iraqi nationals are: nationals of Afghanistan or Iraq who worked with the U.S. armed forces
or U.S. Coast Guard as translators; Iraqi nationals who were employed by or on behalf of the U.S. Government; or Afghan
nationals who were employed by or on behalf of the U.S. Government in Afghanistan, in the International Security
Assistance Force (ISAF), or in a successor mission to ISAF.
If you are ling your Form I-485 under the special immigrant Afghan or Iraqi national category, you may not le your
Form I-485 until USCIS rst approves your Form I-360 and a visa is available immediately.
Certain G-4 international organization or NATO-6 employee or family member (Form I-360)
Special immigrant G-4 or NATO-6 employees or family members include: retired ocers or employees of an
international organization or NATO (and spouses), surviving spouses of deceased ocers or employees of an international
organization or NATO, and unmarried sons or daughters of current or retired ocers or employees of an international
organization or NATO.
If a visa is immediately available, a special immigrant G-4 international organization or NATO-6 employee or family
member does not have to wait until Form I-360 is approved to le Form I-485. If a visa is immediately available, you
may le your Form I-485 together with your Form I-360, while your Form I-360 is pending, or after your Form I-360 is
approved. Otherwise, you may le your Form I-485 only after your Form I-130 is approved and a visa is immediately
available. See the When Should I File Form I-485 section above for more information.
Additional Evidence Requirements
As a special immigrant G-4 international organization or NATO-6 employee or family member, you must submit evidence
showing you meet certain requirements specic to this immigrant category. Therefore, in addition to the evidence listed in
the What Evidence Must You Submit with Form I-485 section, the principal applicant must also submit:
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 24 of 42
1. A copy of every page of your passport and any other document showing residence and physical presence in the U.S.
for the required time period (see www.uscis.gov/greencard for more information); and
2. Evidence that you maintained your G-4, N, or NATO-6 nonimmigrant status since your last entry into the United
States.
Additional Instructions for Human Tracking Victims and Crime Victims
Human tracking victim (T Nonimmigrant, Form I-914) or derivative family member (Form I-914A)
You may apply to adjust status under INA section 245(l) if you are a victim of human tracking who was admitted to the
United States in T nonimmigrant status, maintained continuous physical presence for the required period of time, and are
a person of good moral character. You must also establish one of the following: you complied with reasonable requests
to assist law enforcement authorities in the investigation or prosecution of acts of tracking, you would suer extreme
hardship involving unusual and severe harm upon removal from the United States, you were under 18 years of age at the
time of the victimization that qualied you for T nonimmigrant status, or you were unable to cooperate with a reasonable
request for assistance due to trauma. Special condentiality protections (described at 8 U.S.C. section 1367) apply to
you as a human tracking victim. 8 U.S.C. section 1367 provides two forms of critical protection for human tracking
victims. The rst form of protection is a prohibition on adverse determinations against the victim based on information
provided solely by their abuser and other prohibited sources. The second form of protection is a prohibition on disclosure
of any information about the victim to third parties, except in certain very limited circumstances.
If you are a principal applicant (T-1 nonimmigrant), you may le Form I-485 only after you have been in the United States
for the following time period, whichever is less:
1. A continuous period of at least three years since you were admitted as a T-1 nonimmigrant; or
2. A continuous period during the investigation or prosecution of acts of tracking, and the Attorney General has
determined the investigation or prosecution is complete.
If you are a derivative applicant (T-2 through T-6 nonimmigrant), you may le Form I-485 only once the principal
applicant has met one of the above physical presence requirements.
Evidence of Financial Support
If you are ling Form I-485 as a T nonimmigrant, you do not need to submit evidence of nancial support.
Additional Evidence Requirements
As a human tracking victim, you must submit evidence showing you meet certain requirements specic to this
immigrant category. Therefore, in addition to the evidence listed in the main instructions, principal and derivative
applicants must also submit:
1. Evidence you were lawfully admitted in T nonimmigrant status and continue to hold such status at the time you le
Form I-485; and
2. Evidence that adjustment of status is warranted as a matter of discretion.
In addition, principal applicants must also submit:
1. Evidence of continuous physical presence;
2. Evidence of good moral character; and
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 25 of 42
3. Evidence you complied with reasonable requests for assistance in the investigation or prosecution of the acts of
tracking, evidence that you were under 18 years of age at the time of the victimization that qualied you for T
nonimmigrant status, evidence you were unable to cooperate with a reasonable request for assistance due to trauma,
or evidence that you would suer extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm upon removal from the United
States.
Evidence of Continuous Physical Presence
You do not need to submit documentation showing that you were present in the United States on every single day during
the requisite period of physical presence, but you should not have signicant chronological gaps in your documentation.
To show continuous physical presence, you must submit Items 1. - 3. below.
1. Copies of every page of your passport or equivalent travel document (or valid explanation of why you do not have
such a document).
2. Documentation of any departure from, and return to, the United States while in T-1 nonimmigrant status, including:
A. Date of departure;
B. Place of departure;
C. Length of departure;
D. Manner of departure (plane, boat, etc.);
E. Date of return;
F. Place of return; and
G. Adavit
3. Evidence establishing continuous physical presence, which may include, but is not limited to:
A. Documentation issued by any governmental or nongovernmental authority, provided the documentation contains
your name, was dated at the time it was issued, and contains the normal signature, seal, or other authenticating
instrument of the authorized representative of the issuing authority;
B. Educational documents;
C. Employment records;
D. Certication that you led Federal or state income tax returns showing that you attended school or worked in the
United States throughout the entire continuous physical presence period;
E. Documents showing installment payments, such as a series of monthly rent receipts or utility bills;
F. A list of the type and date of documents already contained in your DHS le that establishes physical presence,
such as, but not limited to, a written copy of a sworn statement given to a DHS ocer, a document from the
law enforcement agency attesting to the fact that you have continued to comply with requests for assistance, the
transcript of a formal hearing, and Form I-213, Record of Deportable-Inadmissible Alien; or
G. Your own adavit attesting to your continuous physical presence.
NOTE: If you do not have documentation to establish continuous physical presence, you must explain why in an adavit
and provide additional adavits from others with rst-hand knowledge who can attest to your continuous physical
presence with specic facts. Your adavit alone is not sucient to show continuous physical presence.
NOTE: Generally, if you departed from the United States for any trip that lasted longer than 90 days or for multiple trips
that together exceeded 180 days, you failed to maintain continuous physical presence unless you can establish that:
1. Your absence was necessary to assist in the investigation or prosecution of acts of tracking; or
2. An ocial involved in the investigation or prosecution of acts of tracking certies that the absence was otherwise
justied.
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 26 of 42
NOTE: If you have less than three years of continuous physical presence since you were admitted as a T-1 nonimmigrant,
you must submit a document signed by the Attorney General of the United States (or designee) stating that the
investigation or prosecution is complete.
Evidence of Good Moral Character
Before USCIS can approve your application, USCIS must nd that you are a person of good moral character according to
INA section 101(f).
In order to demonstrate good moral character, you must submit:
1. Your own adavit attesting to your good moral character; and
2. A local police clearance or a state-issued criminal background check from each locality or state in the United States
that you have resided in for six or more months while you were in T-1 nonimmigrant status. If local police clearances,
criminal background checks, or similar reports are not available for any location where you resided, you may include
an explanation and submit other evidence about your good moral character while you resided at that location.
You may also submit other credible evidence of good moral character, such as adavits from responsible persons who can
knowledgeably attest to your good moral character.
If you are under 14 years of age, you do not need to submit evidence of good moral character. However, if there is reason
to believe that you may lack good moral character, USCIS may require evidence of good moral character.
Evidence of Compliance with Reasonable Requests for Assistance in the Investigation or Prosecution OR Evidence
That You Were Under 18 Years of Age at the Time of the Victimization OR Evidence That You Were Unable to
Cooperate with a Reasonable Request for Assistance Due to Trauma OR Evidence of Extreme Hardship Involving
Unusual and Severe Harm
You must submit evidence that shows you:
1. Complied with any reasonable request for assistance in the investigation or prosecution of acts of tracking;
2. Were under 18 years of age at the time of the victimization that qualied you for T nonimmigrant status; or
3. Were unable to cooperate with a reasonable request for assistance due to trauma; or
4. Would suer extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm if removed from the United States.
Evidence of Compliance with Reasonable Requests for Assistance
Evidence that you continue to comply with any reasonable request for assistance in the investigation or prosecution of
tracking in persons includes, but is not limited to:
1. Your own adavit describing how you continue to comply with any reasonable requests;
2. A statement from a Federal, state, Tribal, or local law enforcement ocial describing how you complied with any
reasonable requests;
3. A re-signed and dated Form I-914, Supplement B;
4. Trial transcripts;
5. Court documents;
6. Police reports; and
7. News articles.
If you assisted law enforcement when you received your T-1 nonimmigrant status and are no longer assisting law
enforcement, you should describe in a written statement why you are no longer assisting. Reasons may include, but are
not limited to:
1. The investigation or prosecution is complete;
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 27 of 42
2. Your T-1 nonimmigrant status is based on your willingness to assist but you were not needed, and you continue to be
willing to assist but your assistance is still not needed;
3. You were not asked to assist after being granted T-1 nonimmigrant status; or
4. A request for assistance was not reasonable (See 8 CFR Section 214.208(c) for more information).
USCIS may consult the Attorney General of the United States if appropriate.
NOTE: If you were not required to comply with any reasonable requests for assistance in the investigation or prosecution
when you received your T-1 nonimmigrant status (because you were under 18 years of age or suered trauma at the time
of victimization that excepted you from the compliance requirement), you should include an adavit stating that you were
not subject to the compliance requirement.
Evidence of Extreme Hardship Involving Unusual and Severe Harm
Alternatively, you may also submit evidence that you will suer extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm if
you are removed from the United States. Proving extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm requires you to
meet a higher standard of proof than other extreme hardship standards in immigration law. The extreme hardship cannot
be based on current or future economic harm, or the lack of or disruption to social or economic opportunities. USCIS may
consider both traditional extreme hardship factors and the factors associated with having been a victim of a severe form of
tracking in persons, as well as relevant country condition reports or any other public or private sources of information.
Hardship to persons other than you will only be considered in determining whether you would suer the requisite hardship
if the evidence demonstrates specically that you will suer extreme hardship upon removal as a result of hardship to
someone else. See 8 CFR 214.209 for a list of factors.
You should include evidence to document all factors that are relevant to you. However, if the basis of your current
extreme hardship claim is a continuation of the extreme hardship claimed in your application for T-1 nonimmigrant status,
you do not need to re-document the entire claim. Instead, submit evidence to establish that your previously established
extreme hardship is ongoing.
NOTE: USCIS is not bound by its previous extreme hardship determination.
Discretion
Adjustment of status based on T nonimmigrant status is not an automatic benet, so you bear the burden of showing that
USCIS should use its discretion to approve your adjustment of status application. When making a discretionary decision
on your application, USCIS may take into account all factors, including those acts that would otherwise make you
inadmissible.
Generally, favorable factors such as family ties, hardship, and length of residence in the United States, may be sucient
for USCIS to use its discretion to approve your application. However, when adverse factors are present in your case, you
may oset these by submitting supporting documentation of favorable factors you wish USCIS to consider. See 8 CFR
245.23(e)(3).
Crime victim (U Nonimmigrant, Form I-918), derivative family member (Form I-918A), or qualifying
family member (Form I-929)
You may apply to adjust status under INA section 245(m) if you are a victim of certain specied crimes who was admitted
to the United States in U nonimmigrant status, maintained continuous physical presence for the required period of time,
and have complied with reasonable requests to assist law enforcement authorities in the investigation or prosecution of
the criminal activity. Special condentiality protections (described at 8 U.S.C. section 1367) apply to you as a crime
victim. 8 U.S.C. section 1367 provides two forms of critical protection for crime victims. The rst form of protection is
a prohibition on adverse determinations against the victim based on information provided solely by their abuser and other
prohibited sources. The second form of protection is a prohibition on disclosure of any information about the victim to
third parties, except in certain very limited circumstances.
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 28 of 42
Both principal and derivative applicants may le Form I-485 only after they have been physically present in the United
States for a continuous period of at least three years since being admitted as a U nonimmigrant. Applicants must continue
to be physically present through the date that USCIS makes a decision on this application.
Additionally, certain qualifying family members may also apply for adjustment of status. Your approved Form I-929,
Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1 Nonimmigrant, conrms that you are a qualifying family member who
may le Form I-485. You must also show that the qualifying family relationship that formed the basis of your Form I-929
approval exists at the time the principal applicant (U-1 nonimmigrant) becomes a lawful permanent resident and continues
to exist until USCIS makes a decision on your Form I-485.
Evidence of Financial Support
If you are ling Form I-485 as a U nonimmigrant, you do not need to submit evidence of nancial support.
Additional Evidence Requirements
As a U nonimmigrant, you must submit evidence showing you meet certain requirements specic to this immigrant visa
category. Therefore, in addition to the evidence listed in the main instructions, principal and derivative applicants must
also submit:
1. Evidence of continuous physical presence; and
2. Evidence that adjustment of status is warranted as a matter of discretion.
In addition, principal applicants must also submit evidence that they complied with reasonable requests for assistance in
the investigation or prosecution of the qualifying criminal activity.
Evidence of Continuous Physical Presence
You do not need to submit documentation showing that you were present in the United States on every single day of the
three-year U nonimmigrant status period, but you should not have signicant chronological gaps in your documentation.
To show continuous physical presence, you must submit Items 1. - 4. below:
1. Copies of every page of your passports or equivalent travel documents (or valid explanation of why the applicant does
not have such a document);
2. Documentation of any departure from, and return to, the United States while in U nonimmigrant status, including:
A. Date of departure;
B. Place of departure;
C. Length of departure;
D. Manner of departure (plane, boat, etc.);
E. Date of return; and
F. Place of return;
3. Evidence establishing continuous physical presence, including but not limited to:
A. Documentation issued by any governmental or nongovernmental authority as long as the documentation contains
your name, was dated at the time it was issued, and contains the normal signature, seal, or other authenticating
instrument of the authorized representative of the issuing authority;
B. Educational documents;
C. Employment records;
D. Certication that you led Federal or state income tax returns showing that you attended school or worked in the
United States throughout the entire continuous physical presence period;
E. Documents showing installment payments, such as a series of monthly rent receipts or utility bills; or
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 29 of 42
F. A list of the type and date of documents already contained in your DHS le that establishes physical presence,
such as, but not limited to, a written copy of a sworn statement given to a DHS ocer, a document from the
law enforcement agency attesting to the fact that you have continued to comply with requests for assistance, the
transcript of a formal hearing; and Form I-213, Record of Deportable-Inadmissible Alien; and
4. Your own adavit attesting to your continuous physical presence.
If you do not have documentation to establish continuous physical presence, you must explain why in an adavit and
provide additional adavits from others with rst-hand knowledge who can attest to your continuous physical presence
with specic facts. Your adavit alone is not sucient to show continuous physical presence.
Generally, you have failed to maintain continuous physical presence if you departed from the United States for any
trip that lasted longer than 90 days or for multiple trips that together exceeded 180 days. To show that you maintained
continuous physical presence despite taking these trips, you must submit a certication from the agency that signed Form
I-918, Supplement B, in support of your U nonimmigrant status stating that:
1. Your absence was necessary in order to assist in the investigation or prosecution of the qualifying criminal activity; or
2. Your absence was otherwise justied.
Evidence of Compliance with Reasonable Requests for Assistance in the Investigation or Prosecution of the
Qualifying Criminal Activity
You are required to provide ongoing assistance, as needed, to law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation or
prosecution of the qualifying criminal activity. 8 CFR 245.24(a)(5) denes “refusal to provide assistance in a criminal
investigation or prosecution” as a refusal by the U nonimmigrant to provide assistance to law enforcement authorities after
being granted U nonimmigrant status.
To show you have met this requirement, you must submit evidence that, from the time you led for U nonimmigrant status
until you le Form I-485, you have complied with (or did not unreasonably refuse to comply with) reasonable requests
for assistance in the investigation or prosecution of the qualifying criminal activity. You are required to provide ongoing
assistance until USCIS adjudicates your Form I-485.
The evidence may include:
1. A newly executed Form I-918, Supplement B, U Nonimmigrant Status Certication;
2. A photocopy of the original Form I-918, Supplement B, with a new date and signature from the certifying agency;
3. Documentation on ocial letterhead from the certifying agency stating that you have not unreasonably refused to
cooperate in the investigation or prosecution of the qualifying criminal activity;
4. An adavit describing any eorts you made to obtain a newly executed Form I-918, Supplement B, or other evidence
describing whether you received any requests to provide assistance in the criminal investigation or prosecution of the
qualifying criminal activity, and your response to these requests; or
5. Court documents, police reports, news articles, copies of reimbursement forms for travel to and from court, and
adavits of other witnesses or ocials.
If you submit an adavit, it must include:
1. A description of all instances when you were requested to provide assistance in the criminal investigation or
prosecution of persons in connection with the qualifying criminal activity after you were granted U nonimmigrant
status and how you responded to such requests;
2. Any identifying information you have about the law enforcement personnel involved in the case;
3. Any information you have about the status of the criminal investigation or prosecution, including any charges led
and the outcome of any criminal proceedings, or whether the investigation or prosecution was dropped and the
reasons why; and
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 30 of 42
4. If you have refused a request for assistance in the investigation or prosecution, you must provide a detailed
explanation of why you refused to comply with requests for assistance and why you believed that the requests for
assistance were unreasonable.
NOTE: In certain cases, this requirement of ongoing assistance may require someone other than the principal applicant
to provide evidence to USCIS. For example, in some U nonimmigrant cases, the U-1 petitioner was a child (or
incompetent or incapacitated) and was not directly required to provide the assistance in an investigation or prosecution
of the qualifying criminal activity. In these cases, someone other than the child, such as a parent, guardian, or next
friend provided the assistance. This person may need to provide evidence of continued assistance (or that there was no
unreasonable refusal to comply) with an investigation or prosecution of the qualifying criminal activity.
Discretion
Adjustment of status based on U nonimmigrant status is not an automatic benet, so you bear the burden of showing that
USCIS should use its discretion to approve your adjustment of status application. When making a discretionary decision
on your application, USCIS may take into account all factors, including those acts that would otherwise make you
inadmissible.
Generally, favorable factors such as family ties, hardship, and length of residence in the United States, may be sucient
for USCIS to use its discretion to approve your application. However, when adverse factors are present in your case, you
may oset these by submitting supporting documentation of favorable factors you wish USCIS to consider. See 8 CFR
245.24(d)(11).
Additional Instructions for Asylees and Refugees
If you are an asylee, you may be eligible to adjust status under INA section 209(b) if you have been physically present in
the United States for one year after your grant of asylum, your status has not been terminated, and you still qualify as an
asylee or the spouse or child of an asylee.
Derivative Applicants
Asylee derivative applicants may le Form I-485 with the principal applicant or independently from the principal
applicant. However, asylee derivative applicants should submit proof of relationship to the principal applicant. See the
Marriage Certicate and Other Proof of Relationship section in the What Evidence Must You Submit with Form
I-485 section.
Evidence of Financial Support
If you are ling Form I-485 as an asylee, you do not need to submit evidence of nancial support.
Additional Evidence Requirements
As an asylee, you must submit evidence showing you meet certain requirements specic to this immigrant category.
Therefore, in addition to the evidence listed in the What Evidence Must You Submit with Form I-485 section, principal
and derivative applicants must also submit evidence of asylum status (such as a copy of the asylum approval notice from
USCIS or the immigration court order granting you asylum).
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 31 of 42
Refugee Status
If you were admitted as a refugee, you may be eligible to adjust status under INA section 209(a) once you have been
physically present in the United States for one year after being admitted to the United States in refugee status and if your
status has not been terminated.
Derivative Applicants
Refugee derivative applicants may le Form I-485 with the principal applicant or independently from the principal
applicant.
Evidence of Financial Support
If you are ling Form I-485 as a refugee, you do not need to submit evidence of nancial support.
Additional Evidence Requirements
As a refugee, you must submit evidence showing you meet certain requirements specic to this immigrant category.
Therefore, in addition to the evidence listed in the What Evidence Must You Submit with Form I-485 section, principal
and derivative applicants must also submit evidence of refugee status, such as a Form I-94 or a Refugee Travel Document
(Form I-571).
Additional Instructions for Applicants Filing Under Special Adjustment Programs
Cuban Adjustment Act (CAA)
You may apply for adjustment of status if you are a native or citizen of Cuba who was inspected and admitted or paroled
into the United States after January 1, 1959, and you have been physically present in the United States for at least one year
or if you are a spouse or unmarried child of a Cuban described above (regardless of your nationality or place of birth) who
was inspected and admitted or paroled after January 1, 1959, and you have been physically present in the United States for
at least one year.
Derivative Applicants
As a spouse or child of a qualifying CAA applicant, you may le to adjust status as a derivative applicant under the CAA
regardless of your nationality or place of birth. Furthermore, you may apply under the CAA regardless of how long your
relationship with the qualifying CAA applicant has existed. Whether your relationship began before or after your Cuban
spouse or parent became a lawful permanent resident does not matter.
Evidence of Financial Support
If you are ling Form I-485 based on the CAA, you do not need to submit evidence of nancial support.
Additional Evidence Requirements
As a CAA applicant, you must submit evidence showing you meet certain requirements specic to this immigrant
category. Therefore, in addition to the evidence listed in the What Evidence Must You Submit with Form I-485
section, principal applicants must also submit:
1. Evidence of being a native or citizen of Cuba; and
2. Evidence that you have been physically present in the United States for at least one year.
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 32 of 42
Evidence of Being a Cuban Native (If You Were Born in Cuba)
Examples of evidence submitted by principal applicants that demonstrates being a Cuban native can include but are not
limited to:
1. An expired or unexpired Cuban passport (Pasaporte de la Republica de Cuba) that lists the holder’s place of birth as
being Cuba; and
2. A Cuban birth certicate issued by the appropriate civil registry in Cuba. (Note: A Cuban birth certicate
acknowledging a birth outside of Cuba or Cuban consular birth record issued for a principal applicant who was not
born in Cuba is not sucient to prove Cuban citizenship.)
Evidence of Cuban Citizenship (If You Were Born Outside of Cuba)
Examples of evidence submitted by principal applicants that demonstrates Cuban citizenship can include but are not
limited to:
1. An unexpired Cuban passport (Pasaporte de la Republica de Cuba);
2. Nationality Certicate (Certicado de Nacionalidad); and
3. Citizenship Letter (Carta de Ciudadania).
In addition to the evidence listed in the What Evidence Must You Submit with Form I-485 section, derivative
applicants must submit:
1. Evidence you have been physically present in the United States for at least one year; and
2. Evidence that you reside with the principal applicant.
If you are a derivative applicant, you do not need to submit evidence of Cuban birth or citizenship. As mentioned above,
you may le to adjust status as a derivative applicant under the CAA regardless of your nationality or place of birth.
Evidence of Physical Presence and Inspection and Admission or Inspection and Parole
CAA adjustment is available only to applicants who have been inspected and admitted or inspected and paroled into the
United States. If you are present in the United States without inspection, you are not eligible for CAA adjustment unless
you rst present yourself to USCIS and USCIS paroles you under INA section 212(d)(5)(A), pending a nal determination
of your admissibility.
If you are a Cuban native or citizen who has already been physically present in the United States for at least one year at
the time DHS paroles you, then you may apply for adjustment of status immediately after being paroled. The law does
not require the one-year period of physical presence to occur after your parole.
CAA for Abused Spouses and Children
You may apply for adjustment of status if you are an abused spouse or child of a CAA-eligible spouse or parent. Special
condentiality protections (described at 8 U.S.C. section 1367) apply to you as the abused spouse or child of a principal
CAA-eligible spouse or parent. 8 U.S.C. section 1367 provides two forms of critical protection. The rst form of
protection is a prohibition on adverse determinations against the victim based on information provided solely by their
abuser and other prohibited sources. The second form of protection is a prohibition on disclosure of any information
about the victim to third parties, except in certain very limited circumstances.
You may apply under the CAA for abused spouses and children regardless of how long your relationship existed. It also
does not matter whether your relationship began before or after your Cuban spouse or parent became a lawful permanent
resident.
Derivative applicants are not allowed in this category.
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 33 of 42
Evidence of Financial Support
If you are ling Form I-485 as an abused spouse or child under the CAA, you do not need to submit evidence of nancial
support.
Additional Evidence Requirements
As a CAA abused spouse or child, you must submit evidence showing you meet certain requirements specic to this
adjustment program. Therefore, in addition to the evidence listed in the What Evidence Must You Submit with Form
I-485 section, you must also submit:
1. Evidence that you resided with your abusive Cuban spouse or parent at some point during the qualifying relationship
as a spouse or child;
2. Evidence that you have been physically present in the United States for at least one year;
3. Evidence of battery or extreme cruelty;
4. Evidence that the termination of your marriage was connected to the abuse (if applicable); and
5. Evidence that the abusive Cuban spouse died within two years of when you led an application for adjustment of
status (if applicable).
Evidence of Physical Presence and Inspection and Admission or Inspection and Parole
The law does not require the one-year period of physical presence to occur after your parole.
Abused spouses and children of CAA-eligible applicants must have been inspected and admitted or inspected and
paroled into the United States. If you are present in the United States without inspection, you are not eligible for CAA
adjustment unless you rst present yourself to DHS and DHS paroles you under INA section 212(d)(5)(A), pending a nal
determination of your admissibility.
Evidence of Battery or Extreme Cruelty
Evidence of battery should show that your spouse or parent committed an intentional, non-consensual, harmful, or
oensive physical act of violence towards you or your child. Some examples include, but are not limited to, rape,
molestation, forced prostitution, punching, biting, kidnapping, kicking, choking, and sexual abuse.
Evidence of extreme cruelty should show that your spouse or parent committed non-physical acts of violence or threats
of violence demonstrating a pattern or intent to control you or gain your compliance. Some examples include, but are
not limited to, controlling what you do and who you see and talk to; denying access to food, family, or medical treatment;
threats of physical harm to you or your family; threats to commit suicide; or threats of deportation.
You must submit documentation demonstrating your CAA-eligible spouse or parent subjected you to battery or extreme
cruelty during the qualifying relationship. Evidence may include:
1. Reports and adavits from police, judges, or other court ocials;
2. Copies of legal documents related to orders of protection or other legal processes that address the abuse;
3. Adavits from persons who witnessed or have knowledge of the abusive acts;
4. Reports or adavits from medical personnel, school ocials, and clergy;
5. Reports or adavits from social workers or other social service agency personnel;
6. Documentation to show you sought safe haven in a family violence shelter or similar place; or
7. Photographs of injuries.
USCIS will consider any credible evidence, as dened in INA 204(a)(1)(J), that is relevant to the application. USCIS has
the sole discretion to determine what evidence is credible and what weight to give that evidence.
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 34 of 42
Evidence of Death of the Cuban Spouse (if applicable)
If your abusive Cuban spouse has died, you may le Form I-485 within two years of your abusive Cuban spouse’s death,
as long as you lived with your abusive Cuban spouse at some point during the qualifying relationship. You must submit
evidence of the death (such as a death certicate).
Evidence of Termination of the Marriage (if applicable)
If the marriage ended in divorce or was annulled, you may le Form I-485 within two years of the termination of the
marriage as long as you demonstrate that:
1. You lived with your abusive Cuban spouse; and
2. The battery or extreme cruelty by your Cuban spouse and the termination of your marriage are connected.
Dependent Status under Haitian Refugee Immigrant Fairness Act (HRIFA)
Although the qualifying period has closed for principal HRIFA applicants, dependents of those principal applicants may
still le for adjustment of status if they meet certain requirements. You may apply if you are a Haitian national residing
in the United States who is a dependent spouse, child, or unmarried son or daughter of a HRIFA applicant. In addition,
your relationship to the principal must have existed at the time the principal applicant was granted adjustment of status
and must continue to exist at the time you are granted adjustment of status. You may not le under this category if you are
eligible for adjustment of status under any other provision of law.
Evidence of Financial Support
If you are ling Form I-485 as a dependent under the HRIFA, you do not need to submit evidence of nancial support.
Additional Evidence Requirements
As a HRIFA dependent, you must submit evidence showing you meet certain requirements specic to this immigrant
category.
In addition to the evidence listed in the What Evidence Must You Submit with Form I-485 section, unmarried sons or
daughters (21 years of age or older) applying as HRIFA dependents must also submit:
1. Evidence of Haitian nationality;
2. Evidence that the qualifying relationship to the principal existed at the time the principal was granted adjustment of
status and that the relationship still exists;
3. Evidence you have been physically present in the United States for a continuous period starting no later than
December 31, 1995, and continuing until you are granted adjustment of status; and
4. A statement that lists, and evidence of, all departures from and arrivals in the United States since December 31, 1995.
Evidence of Nationality
If you acquired Haitian nationality other than through birth in Haiti, provide a copy of the certicate of naturalization or
certicate of citizenship issued by the Haitian government.
Evidence of Continuous Physical Presence
If you are an unmarried son or daughter (21 years of age or older), you must submit evidence that you were physically
present in the United States for a continuous period since December 31, 1995. USCIS considers your physical presence to
be “continuous” despite: any absences from the United States that totaled 180 days or less in the aggregate; any absences
for which you received advance parole before departing the United States and you returned to the United States according
to the conditions listed on the advance parole document; or any absences from the United States occurring after October
21, 1988, and before July 12, 1999, provided you departed the United States before December 31, 1988.
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 35 of 42
HRIFA Eligibility for Abused Spouses and Children
You may apply to adjust status if you are an abused spouse or child of a HRIFA-eligible spouse or parent. Furthermore,
you may apply for adjustment of status as an abused spouse or child even if your principal HRIFA-eligible spouse or
parent has not led for adjustment of status. Special condentiality protections (described at 8 U.S.C. section 1367)
apply to you as the abused spouse or child of a qualifying HRIFA principal. 8 U.S.C. section 1367 provides two forms
of critical protection. The rst form of protection is a prohibition on adverse determinations against the victim based on
information provided solely by their abuser and other prohibited sources. The second form of protection is a prohibition
on disclosure of any information about the victim to third parties, except in certain very limited circumstances.
Derivative applicants are not allowed in this category.
Evidence of Financial Support
If you are ling Form I-485 as an abused spouse or child under the HRIFA, you do not need to submit evidence of
nancial support.
Additional Evidence Requirements
As an abused spouse or child under the HRIFA, you must submit evidence showing you meet certain requirements specic
to this immigrant category. Therefore, in addition to the evidence listed in the What Evidence Must You Submit with
Form I-485 section, you must also submit evidence of:
1. Haitian nationality; and
2. Evidence of battery or extreme cruelty.
Evidence of Nationality
You must submit evidence of your Haitian nationality. If you acquired Haitian nationality other than through birth in
Haiti, provide a copy of the certicate of naturalization or certicate of citizenship issued by the Haitian government.
Evidence of Battery or Extreme Cruelty
Evidence of battery should show that your spouse or parent committed an intentional, non-consensual, harmful, or
oensive physical act of violence towards you or your child. Some examples include, but are not limited to, rape,
molestation, forced prostitution, punching, biting, kidnapping, kicking, choking, and sexual abuse.
Evidence of extreme cruelty should show that your spouse or parent committed non-physical acts of violence or threats
of violence demonstrating a pattern or intent to control you or gain your compliance. Some examples include, but are
not limited to, controlling what you do and who you see and talk to; denying access to food, family, or medical treatment;
threats of physical harm to you or your family; threats to commit suicide; or threats of deportation.
You must submit documentation demonstrating your HRIFA-eligible spouse or parent subjected you to battery or extreme
cruelty during the qualifying relationship. Evidence may include:
1. Reports and adavits from police, judges, or other court ocials;
2. Copies of legal documents relating to orders of protection or other legal processes addressing the abuse;
3. Adavits from persons who witnessed or have knowledge of the abusive acts;
4. Reports or adavits from medical personnel, school ocials, and clergy;
5. Reports or adavits from social workers or other social service agency personnel;
6. Documentation to show you sought safe-haven in a family violence shelter or similar place; or
7. Photographs of injuries.
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 36 of 42
Former Soviet Union and Indochinese Parolee (Lautenberg Parolees)
If you are or were a national of the former Soviet Union, Vietnam, Cambodia, or Laos who was previously denied refugee
status but then was inspected and paroled into the United States for humanitarian reasons before September 30, 2012,
you may apply for adjustment of status if you have been physically present in the United States for one year after being
paroled.
Derivative applicants are not allowed in this category.
Evidence of Financial Support
If you are ling Form I-485 as a Lautenberg parolee, you do not need to submit evidence of nancial support.
Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (Form I-693)
You only need to submit the full Form I-693 if your medical examination was not completed overseas or you had a Class
A condition at the time of the overseas exam. If your medical examination was completed overseas, you did not have a
Class A condition at the time of the exam, and you are applying for adjustment within two years of parole into the United
States, then you only need to submit the vaccination portion of Form I-693. (You may submit Form I-693 with your Form
I-485 or at a later time. See the Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (Form I-693)
section in the What Evidence Must You Submit with Form I-485 for more information.)
Additional Evidence Requirements
As a Lautenberg parolee, you must submit evidence showing you meet certain requirements specic to this immigrant
category. Therefore, in addition to the evidence listed in the What Evidence Must You Submit with Form I-485
section, you must also submit evidence that:
1. You are or were a national of the former Soviet Union (including nationals of any of the currently independent
countries that formerly were members of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, as well as Estonia, Latvia, and
Lithuania), Vietnam, Laos, or Cambodia, if not contained in your birth certicate; and
2. You were denied refugee status.
Denied Refugee Status
Under the Lautenberg program, applicants must rst have been denied refugee status before their parole into the United
States. Provide evidence of denied refugee status, if available.
Diplomats or High Ranking Ocials Unable to Return Home (Section 13 of the Act of September 11, 1957)
You may apply for adjustment of status if you are a foreign national who entered the United States under diplomatic or
semi-diplomatic status and then failed to maintain lawful status, and you can demonstrate compelling reasons why you
cannot return to the country represented by the government which accredited you. Such persons are sometimes referred to
as Section 13 applicants.
Derivative Applicants
You may apply as a derivative if you are the immediate family member of a Section 13 applicant. The DOS denition
of immediate family member is broader for A and G nonimmigrants than other nonimmigrant classications. Immediate
family members are described in 22 CFR 41.21(a)(3) as the spouse and unmarried sons and daughters (whether by
blood or adoption) who are not members of some other household, and who will reside regularly in the household of the
principal. Furthermore, immediate family members also include individuals who:
1. Are not members of some other household;
2. Will reside regularly in the principal applicant’s household;
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 37 of 42
3. Are recognized by the sending government as immediate family members of the principal applicant as demonstrated
by eligibility for rights and benets, such as the issuance of a diplomatic or ocial passport, travel or other
allowances; and
4. Are individually authorized by DOS.
Additional Evidence Requirements
As a Section 13 applicant, you must submit evidence showing you meet certain requirements specic to this immigrant
category. Therefore, in addition to the evidence listed in the What Evidence Must You Submit with Form I-485 section,
principal applicants must also submit:
1. Evidence that you were admitted into the United States in A-1, A-2, G-1, or G-2 nonimmigrant status;
2. Evidence that you performed diplomatic or semi-diplomatic duties (custodial, clerical, or menial duties are not
sucient);
3. Evidence of compelling reasons why you or a member of your family is unable to return to the country represented by
the government which accredited you;
4. Evidence establishing that granting your adjustment of status would be in the national interest of the United States;
5. Form I-508, Waiver of Rights, Privileges, Exemptions and Immunities under INA section 247(b) (and Form I-508F, if
you are a French national); and
6. Form I-566, Interagency Record of Request.
In addition to the evidence listed in the What Evidence Must You Submit with Form I-485 section, derivative
applicants must also submit:
1. Evidence that you were admitted into the United States in A-1, A-2, G-1, or G-2 nonimmigrant status;
2. Evidence establishing that granting your adjustment of status would be in the national interest of the United States;
3. Form I-508, Waiver of Rights, Privileges, Exemptions and Immunities under INA section 247(b) (and Form I-508F, if
you are a French national); and
4. Form I-566, Interagency Record of Request.
Failing to Maintain Status
If you were admitted to the United States as an A or G nonimmigrant, you will maintain an A or G nonimmigrant status
as long as the U.S. Secretary of State recognizes you as being entitled to such status. Therefore, you maintain your status
until DOS terminates your diplomatic status.
DOS is responsible for terminating an individual’s diplomatic status and for determining the date of an individual’s
termination of status. DOS requires foreign missions to submit Form DS-2008 (Notice of Termination of Diplomatic,
Consular, or Foreign Government Employment) to DOS, without delay, when employees of foreign missions terminate
their employment status. For further information regarding termination of diplomatic status, please contact DOS.
DOS Consultation
After your adjustment of status interview with USCIS, USCIS will consult with DOS. DOS will make a recommendation
on the merits of your application. Once USCIS receives the recommendation, we will make a decision on your
application.
Visa Availability
Only 50 adjustments under this category are allowed per year. You may wish to consider applying under another
immigrant category, if possible, due to this category’s numerical limitation.
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 38 of 42
Indochinese Parole Adjustment Act of 2000
You may apply to adjust status if you are a national of Vietnam, Cambodia, or Laos who was inspected and paroled into
the United States before October 1, 1997 from Vietnam under the Orderly Departure Program (ODP), a refugee camp in
East Asia, or a displaced person camp administered by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in
Thailand.
Derivative applicants are not allowed in this category.
Evidence of Financial Support
If you are ling Form I-485 under the Indochinese Parole Adjustment Act, you do not need to submit evidence of nancial
support.
Additional Evidence Requirements
You must submit evidence showing you meet certain requirements specic to this immigrant category. Therefore, in
addition to the evidence listed in the What Evidence Must You Submit with Form I-485 section, you must also submit:
1. Evidence of Vietnamese, Cambodian, or Laotian citizenship or nationality; and
2. Evidence of physical presence in the United States before and on October 1, 1997.
Additional Categories
Diversity Visa Program
Certain foreign nationals who were selected in the Diversity Visa (DV) lottery (“selectee”) for the current scal year
may apply for adjustment of status. Your selection letter, provided by DOS, conrms that you may qualify to apply for
adjustment under this category.
Derivative applicants may le in this category only if they were listed as derivative family members in the principal’s DV
lottery application.
You may le Form I-485 only when a visa is immediately available. For information on visa availability for DV
applicants, visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/greencard.
You and your derivatives may only receive a DV through the end of the specic scal year for which you were selected.
USCIS cannot approve any DV adjustment application after September 30 of the relevant scal year. Beginning
October 1, USCIS must deny any DV adjustment application that remains pending from the prior scal year.
USCIS cannot guarantee that it will be able to adjudicate your application before the end of a scal year. Therefore, you
are encouraged to le as soon as you are eligible.
Evidence of Financial Support
If you are ling Form I-485 as a DV applicant, you do not need to submit evidence of nancial support.
Additional Evidence Requirements
As a DV applicant, you must submit evidence showing you meet certain requirements specic to this immigrant category.
Therefore, in addition to the evidence listed in the What Evidence Must You Submit with Form I-485 section, principal
and derivative applicants must also submit:
1. Evidence of the principal applicant’s selection in the DV lottery; and
2. Evidence that any derivative applicants were originally included in the DV lottery entry (if applicable).
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 39 of 42
In addition, principal applicants must also submit evidence of the required education or work experience to qualify for
adjustment as a DV applicant.
Evidence of Selection in DV Lottery
You must provide a copy of the principal applicant’s DOS Selection Letter for the DV lottery and a copy of the receipt
from DOS for the DV lottery processing fee.
Evidence of Relationship
If derivative applicants are ling Form I-485 based on the principal applicant’s Selection Letter, you must provide
evidence that the principal applicant included the derivative applicants in the entry when entering the DV lottery for the
current scal year.
If the DV selectee becomes a spouse or parent (whether of a natural, adopted, or stepchild) after submitting the qualifying
online DV lottery entry, the spouse and children are eligible for derivative status for immigration purposes. However, the
qualifying marriage, birth, or adoption must occur before the DV selectee becomes a lawful permanent resident. If the
qualifying marriage, birth, or adoption occurs after the DV selectee becomes a lawful permanent resident, then the DV
selectee may petition for eligible family members in an appropriate family-based category.
Evidence of Education or Work Experience
Principal applicants must provide one of the following:
1. A high school diploma or its equivalent (Successful completion of a 12-year course of elementary and secondary
education in the United States or successful completion of a formal course of elementary and secondary education in
another country that is comparable to a high school education in the United States. Only formal courses of study meet
this requirement. Correspondence programs or equivalency certicates, such as the General Equivalency Diploma
(GED), are not acceptable); or
2. Two years of work experience within the past ve years in an occupation requiring at least two years of training or
experience.
Continuous Residence in the United States Since Before January 1, 1972 (Registry)
Certain foreign nationals who entered the United States prior to January 1, 1972 and have maintained continuous U.S.
residence since then may apply to register their lawful permanent resident status.
Derivative applicants are not allowed in this category.
Evidence of Financial Support
If you are ling Form I-485 as an applicant for Registry, you do not need to submit evidence of nancial support.
Additional Evidence Requirements
As a Registry applicant, you must submit evidence showing you meet certain requirements specic to this registration
category. Therefore, in addition to the evidence listed in the What Evidence Must You Submit with Form I-485
section, you must also submit:
1. Evidence you entered the United States before January 1, 1972; and
2. Evidence establishing continuous residence since entry.
Evidence of Entry Before January 1, 1972
You may show evidence of entry by submitting at least one document showing presence in the United States before
January 1, 1972. You may submit as many documents as necessary.
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 40 of 42
Evidence of Continuous Residence
You may establish continuous residence even if you have made numerous brief departures from the United States.
You may submit as many documents as necessary to establish continuous residence during the period of time since your
claimed date of entry. Examples of the types of evidence you may submit include:
1. Copy of passport pages with nonimmigrant visa, admission, or parole stamps;
2. Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record;
3. Income tax records;
4. Mortgage deeds or leases;
5. Insurance premiums and policies;
6. Birth, marriage, and death certicates of immediate family members;
7. Medical records;
8. Bank records;
9. School records;
10. All types of receipts that contain identifying information about you;
11. Census records;
12. Social Security records;
13. Newspaper articles concerning you;
14. Employment records;
15. Military records;
16. Draft records;
17. Car registrations;
18. Union membership records; and
19. Adavits from credible witnesses having a personal knowledge of your residence in the United States, submitted with
the witness’ contact information.
Although you may submit adavits, you should provide some type of additional evidence to support the application.
Individual Born under Diplomatic Status in the United States
You may apply to register your lawful permanent resident status if you are a foreign national born in the United States to
a foreign diplomatic ocer accredited to the United States (listed in DOS’s Diplomatic List (“Blue List”)) and you have
maintained continuous residence in the United States since birth.
If you are under 18 years of age, your parent or legal guardian must prepare and sign Form I-485 on your behalf.
Derivative applicants are not allowed in this category.
Evidence of Financial Support
If you are ling Form I-485 as an individual born under diplomatic status in the United States, you do not need to submit
evidence of nancial support.
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 41 of 42
Additional Evidence Requirements
As an individual born in diplomatic status, you must submit evidence showing you meet certain requirements specic to
this registration category. Therefore, in addition to the evidence listed in the What Evidence Must You Submit with
Form I-485 section, you must also submit:
1. Ocial conrmation of the diplomatic classication and occupational title of your parent at the time of your birth;
2. A list of all your arrivals in and departures from the United States;
3. Proof of your continuous residence in the United States; and
4. Form I-508, Waiver of Rights, Privileges, Exemptions and Immunities under INA section 247(b) (and Form I-508F, if
you are a French national).
Evidence of Diplomatic Status
International law states that individuals born in the United States to a foreign diplomatic ocer accredited to the United
States are not subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. You are also not a U.S. citizen under the Fourteenth
Amendment to the Constitution. However, you may be considered a lawful permanent resident at birth.
If one of your parents was listed on the Blue List at the time you were born in the United States, you may le Form I-485
in this category. Both parents do not have to be listed on the Blue List. The Blue List is available at
https://www.state.gov/resources-for-foreign-embassies/diplomatic-list/. However, if one of your parents was a U.S.
citizen at the time of your birth, then you are already a U.S. citizen from birth and do not need to le this application.
Evidence of Continuous Residence
You must establish that you have not abandoned your residence in the United States. One of the tests for whether you
retained lawful permanent resident status is your continuous residence in the United States.
You may establish continuous residence in the United States since entry even if you have made numerous brief departures
from the United States. You may submit as many documents as necessary to establish continuous residence in the United
States. Examples of the types of evidence you may submit include:
1. Copy of passport pages with nonimmigrant visa, admission, or parole stamps;
2. Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record;
3. Income tax records;
4. Mortgage deeds or leases;
5. Insurance premiums and policies;
6. Birth, marriage, and death certicates of immediate family members;
7. Medical records;
8. Bank records;
9. School records;
10. All types of receipts that contain identifying information about you;
11. Census records;
12. Social Security records;
13. Newspaper articles concerning you;
14. Employment records;
15. Military records;
16. Draft records;
Form I-485 Instructions 08/28/24 Page 42 of 42
17. Car registrations;
18. Union membership records; and
19. Adavits from credible witnesses having a personal knowledge of your residence in the United States, submitted with
the witness’ contact information.
Although you may submit adavits, you should provide some type of additional evidence to support the application.
