U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that it will publish a revised edition of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, on September 18, 2026. The updated form is being issued to align with the final rule on the public charge ground of inadmissibility.
What Is Changing
Form I-485 is the application used by individuals physically present in the United States to apply for lawful permanent resident status (a “green card”) without having to leave the country. The new edition will incorporate changes tied to how USCIS evaluates public charge inadmissibility as part of the adjustment of status process.
Key Date: September 18, 2026
Beginning September 18, 2026, USCIS will only accept the new edition of Form I-485. There will be no grace period for filing older versions of the form. Any application submitted using a prior edition on or after this date will be rejected, regardless of when it was printed, downloaded, or completed.
What This Means for Applicants
Anyone preparing to file Form I-485 on or after September 18, 2026 should:
- Confirm they are using the correct, current edition of the form before submitting.
- Check the edition date printed on the form itself against the version USCIS has posted for that filing date.
- Avoid using saved or previously downloaded copies of the form without first verifying they are current.
Applications submitted with the wrong edition will not be processed and may need to be refiled, which can delay a case.
Next Steps
If you have a pending or upcoming Form I-485 filing, our office can help confirm you are using the correct edition and that your application reflects the current public charge requirements. Contact Ayoub & Associates, P.C. to discuss your case.
Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services