USCIS Releases New Edition of Form I-485

On 10.Dec.2024, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced new instructions and a new edition of the application to register permanent residence or adjust status (form I-485), which applicants must start using, effective 10.Feb.2025.  Similarly, the other forms related to form I-485, such as the I-485 supplement J, and form I-485 supplement A, were also updated and must be used beginning 10.Feb as well. The USCIS will reject any older editions of these forms postmarked on or after 10.Feb.2025.

Significant Changes to Form I-485

Public Charge

In the updated edition of the I-485 form, the questions are grouped for clarity. One group of questions relates to a public charge ground of inadmissibility. The form provides a list of exceptions to determine if the applicant is exempt from the public charge determination. If no exception/s apply, the applicant must respond to several questions related to this inadmissibility ground.

Affidavit of Support

The requirement to submit an affidavit of support (form I-864) applies to many, but not all, types of I-485 applications. To determine whether the applicant may be subject to the I-864 requirement, the new form I-485 now provides a complete list of exceptions that the applicant may use to claim an exemption from the requirement. Because qualifying employment is listed as one of the exemptions, form I-864W is no longer required.

Other Changes

Additional changes include a question as to whether the applicant has ever used more than one date of birth, whether the applicant is in removal, exclusion, rescission or deportation proceedings, if the form I-485 is being filed by the principal or derivative applicant, and if the applicant has ever been an alien crewman. The I-485 also contains a question as to whether dependent children are protected under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA).

Among the new questions is whether the applicant has ever previously applied for permanent residence while in the United States, and/or held lawful permanent resident status that was later rescinded. The applicant also must list any source of financial support for any period of unemployment or retirement.

Changes to the I-485 Instructions

The main change in instructions is a requirement that the report of immigration medical examination and vaccination record (form I-693) be filed with the I-485 form or risk it be rejected. This change was announced previously (on 02.Dec.2024), but is now incorporated into the instructions.

Conclusion

The I-485 application is the last step in the green card process. The new edition of the I-485 and related forms reflect efforts by the USCIS to collect more detailed information about the applicant’s background and eligibility while providing more precise instructions that the applicant must follow.

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