Washington, August 21, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will introduce a revised version of the key application form used by eligible immigrants to seek permanent residency, warning applicants that the older edition will be rejected if submitted after the new form takes effect.
The new edition of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, will be published on September 18, 2026, the agency said in an official notification.
Form I-485 is used by eligible applicants already in the US to apply for lawful permanent resident status, commonly known as a Green Card. The change is expected to be closely watched by Indian nationals pursuing employment- and family-based permanent residency, many of whom face lengthy waits for immigrant visa numbers.
USCIS said the revised form will carry an edition date of September 18, 2026, replacing the current edition dated January 20, 2025. The agency has made a preview of the revised form and accompanying instructions available to applicants and immigration attorneys.
Importantly, USCIS said there will be no grace period during which both editions can be used.
The January 20, 2025, edition will continue to be accepted if it is postmarked or electronically submitted before September 18. Applications using that edition and submitted on or after September 18 will be rejected.
Similarly, applicants must not use the September 18, 2026, edition before the effective date. USCIS will accept the revised edition only when it is postmarked or electronically submitted on or after September 18.
The change makes the filing date particularly important, as using an incorrect edition could result in the application being rejected before USCIS assesses the case on its merits.
According to USCIS, the revised Form I-485 has been prepared to align the adjustment-of-status process with a recently announced final rule concerning the public-charge ground of inadmissibility. The provision is used to assess whether an applicant is likely to become primarily dependent on the government for subsistence.
USCIS did not announce a separate change to the filing fee or filing date in its notification. Applicants have been advised to consult the Form I-485 webpage for the preview version and detailed instructions.
The development is particularly relevant for Indian professionals in technology, medicine, engineering and other specialised fields, many of whom face prolonged waits for employment-based permanent residency because of annual immigrant visa limits and per-country quotas.
Applicants filing Form I-485 may also be eligible to apply for employment authorisation and travel documents while their permanent residency applications remain pending.
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