On Dec. 10, 2024, USCIS published a new edition of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Resident or Adjust Status, which includes updates to questions and instructions. Starting Feb. 10, 2025, USCIS will accept only the 10/24/24 edition of Form I-485 and will reject any older editions of Form I-485.
The new edition of Form I-485 features these major changes:
- Requires applicants who need to submit a Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, or a partial Form I-693 (such as a vaccination record), to submit the Form I-693 or partial Form I-693 with their Form I-485. If the applicant does not submit the Form I-693 with Form I-485 when it is required, the Form I-485 may be rejected;
- Enables applicants who are exempt from the Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA, requirement to request the exemption on Form I-485 rather than submitting Form I-864W, Request for Exemption for Intending Immigrant’s Affidavit of Support. Form I-864W has been discontinued and removed from uscis.gov;
- A clarification of the form questions about the public charge ground of inadmissibility. The questions now will require an applicant to identify their immigrant category so that USCIS can more easily determine whether or not they are exempt from this ground of inadmissibility and can adjudicate the application accordingly.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Please visit uscis.gov/i-485 for more information. Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.