Form I-485, Application to register permanent residence or Adjust Status is the main uscis filing for getting a green card without leaving the united States. You file it when an immigrant visa number is available for your category, and you are otherwise eligible to adjust status.
For many India-born applicants in family and employment categories, the biggest question is timing. That timing depends on the Visa Bulletin and the chart USCIS tells you to use.
The U.S. Department of state publishes two visa bulletin charts each month. They are called Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing. These charts look similar, but they do different things. Using the wrong chart can cause a rejection and lost time.
⏱️ Chart Rule That Controls Filing: Unless USCIS says otherwise for that month, adjustment applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart to decide if they can file Form I-485.
Quick reference: Form I-485
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Form number | I-485 |
| Full name | Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status |
| Purpose | Apply for a green card in the U.S. |
| Current fee | Verify at uscis.gov/fees (fees changed in 2024 and can change again) |
| Biometrics fee | Often required, depending on category and age. Verify in the USCIS fee schedule. |
| Where to file | Usually a USCIS lockbox. Depends on basis (family, employment, asylum, etc.). Follow the I-485 “Where to File” instructions. |
| Typical processing | Varies by basis and field office. Check egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/ (estimates), as of January 2026. |
💰 Current Fee: USCIS fees can change. Always confirm the exact Form I-485 fee and any biometrics fee at uscis.gov/fees before mailing. A wrong fee can cause a rejection.
Who should file Form I-485
You generally file Form I-485 if all of these are true:
- You are physically present in the United States.
- You have an approved immigrant petition, or you can file it together in an allowed category.
- An immigrant visa number is available for your category and country.
- You meet adjustment rules, including inspection and admission or parole, unless an exception applies.
For India-born applicants, visa availability is often the limiting factor. That is where the Visa Bulletin charts matter.
Final Action Dates vs Dates for Filing: what they mean
Final Action Dates
Final Action Dates control when USCIS can approve your Form I-485. They are the “hard stop” dates for green card issuance. If your priority date is not earlier than the listed Final Action Date, a visa number is not available for approval.
In backlogged categories, Final Action Dates move slowly. They can also retrogress.
Dates for Filing
Dates for Filing can allow you to start the last stage earlier. For consular processing, that means submitting documents to the National Visa Center. For adjustment, that can mean filing Form I-485 earlier.
But this only works if USCIS authorizes use of the Dates for Filing chart for that month. If USCIS does not authorize it, you cannot file I-485 using that chart.
The practical impact for India
Many India categories show a gap between the two charts. That gap can be months or years. If USCIS allows Dates for Filing, you may file I-485 earlier. You still cannot be approved until the Final Action Date is current.
⚠️ Common Mistake: Filing Form I-485 using Dates for Filing without checking USCIS’s monthly chart selection. This can lead to a rejection and returned packet.
February 2026 Visa Bulletin snapshots for India (examples)
Below are selected India cut-off dates from the February 2026 bulletin. These examples show why chart selection matters.
Family-sponsored (India) – February 2026
Final Action Dates:
- F1: 08NOV2016
- F2A: 01FEB2024
- F2B: 01DEC2016
- F3: 08SEP2011
- F4: 01NOV2006
Dates for Filing:
- F1: 01SEP2017
- F2A: 22JAN2026
- F2B: 15MAR2017
- F3: 22JUL2012
- F4: 15DEC2006
Employment-based (India) – February 2026
Final Action Dates:
- EB-1: 01FEB2023
- EB-2: 15JUL2013
- EB-3: 15NOV2013
- EB-4 Certain Religious Workers: Unavailable
- EB-5 Unreserved: 01MAY2022
- EB-5 Set-Asides (Rural, HUA, Infrastructure): Current
Dates for Filing:
- EB-1: 01AUG2023
- EB-2: 01DEC2013
- EB-3: 15AUG2014
- EB-4: 15MAR2021
- EB-5 Set-Asides: Current
These dates show why many India applicants focus on Dates for Filing. It can open the door to work and travel benefits. The door only opens if USCIS allows it that month.
How to decide which chart to use for Form I-485
Follow this order every month.
- Find your priority date. For employment cases, it is often the PERM filing date or I-140 priority date. For family cases, it is usually the I-130 receipt date.
- Identify your category and country. Category depends on the approved petition. Country is usually your country of birth.
- Check USCIS’s monthly Visa Bulletin chart announcement. USCIS posts whether you must use Final Action Dates or Dates for Filing for that month.
- Compare your priority date to the correct chart. Your priority date must be earlier than the listed cut-off date.
If you file when your date is not current under the chart USCIS requires, USCIS can reject the application at intake.
Eligibility requirements for Form I-485 (general)
Most applicants must meet these baseline requirements. Some categories have special rules.
- You are in the U.S. at the time you file.
- You have an immigrant basis, such as:
- Approved Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, or
- Approved Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, or
- Another eligible basis.
- An immigrant visa number is available under the chart USCIS requires that month.
- You are admissible to the U.S., or you qualify for a waiver when allowed.
- You did not violate status in a way that bars adjustment, unless an exception applies.
- You can provide required medical and identity documents.
Employment-based applicants from India often worry about maintenance of status. Many EB applicants rely on INA 245(k) rules. That analysis is case-specific.
Step-by-step: how to file Form I-485 correctly
- Confirm visa availability using the correct chart. Start with USCIS’s chart selection for that month. Then use the matching dates in the Visa Bulletin.
- Download the current editions of all forms. Use uscis.gov/forms. Do not use saved copies from old filings.
- Prepare Form I-485 carefully. Match names across passports, I-94, and prior filings. List all prior U.S. entries.
- Get your immigration medical exam. Use a USCIS-designated civil surgeon. Follow the USCIS I-693 instructions.
- Add optional benefit filings if eligible. Many applicants file:
- Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization (EAD)
- Form I-131, Application for Travel Document (Advance Parole)
- Assemble your supporting evidence and fee payment. Use the exact fee on uscis.gov/fees. Make payment in the accepted format.
- Mail to the correct USCIS filing address. The address depends on your basis and location. Use the I-485 “Where to File” page.
- Track receipts and attend biometrics. After filing, watch for Form I-797 receipt notices and biometrics instructions.
- Prepare for a possible interview. Many family cases are interviewed. Many employment cases can be interviewed too.
✅ Pro Tip: If you plan international travel, do not leave the U.S. after filing Form I-485 unless you have the right travel authorization. Many applicants wait for Advance Parole.
Required supporting documents (typical I-485 package)
Exact requirements vary by basis. These are common items USCIS requests.
| Document | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Form I-485 | Yes | Use the current edition from uscis.gov/forms |
| Government ID | Yes | Passport biographic page is standard |
| Birth certificate | Usually | Include certified translation if not English |
| I-94 record | Usually | Print from CBP site if applicable |
| Immigration medical (Form I-693) | Usually | Follow current USCIS instructions |
| Two passport-style photos | Sometimes | Follow form instructions |
| Proof of eligibility category | Yes | I-130/I-140 approval notice, or concurrent filing basis |
| Proof of lawful entry | Usually | Admission stamp, I-94, or parole evidence |
| Police/court records | If applicable | Required for arrests or charges, even if dismissed |
| Certified translations | If applicable | Any non-English document must include translation |
| Form I-765 (optional) | Optional | For EAD while I-485 is pending |
| Form I-131 (optional) | Optional | For Advance Parole while I-485 is pending |
Family-based cases often require Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, and tax documents. Employment-based cases generally do not use I-864. Some employment cases need Form I-485 Supplement J. Follow the I-485 instructions for your basis.
Common mistakes that cause rejection or delays
- Filing under the wrong Visa Bulletin chart for that month.
- Using an outdated form edition.
- Paying the wrong fee or using an incorrect payment method.
- Missing signatures on Form I-485 or related forms.
- Sending an incomplete medical or using the wrong format.
- Leaving out certified translations.
- Traveling outside the U.S. without proper authorization after filing.
- Not disclosing prior arrests or immigration violations.
Processing times and what affects them
USCIS processing times are estimates. They vary by form basis, service center, and local field office. Check the official tool at egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/. Use it for Form I-485 and related forms, as of January 2026.
Delays often happen due to:
- Requests for Evidence (RFEs)
- Interview backlogs at the local field office
- Background checks
- Visa retrogression after filing
Official USCIS form page
Download Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status from uscis.gov/forms. Make sure you also download any required supplements for your category.
Next steps (do these in order)
- Check USCIS’s monthly Visa Bulletin chart selection. Then compare your priority date to the correct chart.
- Download the current Form I-485 and any companion forms from uscis.gov/forms.
- Verify the exact filing fee and biometrics rules at uscis.gov/fees. Then assemble your complete packet.
- Mail the packet to the filing address listed in the I-485 instructions. Create or sign in to your account at my.uscis.gov to track notices.
📋 Official Resources: Download forms at [uscis.gov/forms](https://www.uscis.gov/forms). Check processing times at [egov.uscis.gov/processing-times](https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/). Fees and processing times are subject to change—always verify current information at [uscis.gov](https://www.uscis.gov).
This guide details the Form I-485 process for obtaining a U.S. Green Card through adjustment of status. It emphasizes the critical importance of the Visa Bulletin, specifically the distinction between Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing. Key requirements include physical presence in the U.S., a current priority date, and correct fee payment. It also lists necessary supporting documents and provides steps to avoid common rejection reasons.
