The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that a revised green card application form will be introduced next month, with applications submitted using the previous version being rejected from September 18, according to PTI.
Form I-485 is used by eligible individuals already in the US to apply for lawful permanent residency, commonly referred to as a Green Card.
No grace period for accepting the revised edition
The updated Form I-485, used to apply for permanent residence or adjust immigration status, will replace the edition dated January 20, 2025. According to the , the revised form has been updated to reflect new public charge regulations that will take effect on September 18.
Applications using the January 20, 2025 version will not be accepted if they are postmarked or filed electronically on or after September 18, the agency said.
USCIS has released a preview of the updated Form I-485 and accompanying instructions to help applicants prepare, particularly because the agency will not provide any grace period for the transition to the new edition.
The USCIS has advised applicants to not submit the updated version of Form I-485 before September 18, when the revised form officially comes into effect.
The existing version will continue to be accepted only if applications are postmarked or filed electronically before September 18.
The change follows the ’s expansion of the definition of a “public charge”, under which immigration applications can be denied if applicants are deemed likely to depend on certain government benefits, including Medicaid, food assistance or other forms of public support.
The revised “public charge” rules are set to take effect on September 18.
The revised Form I-485 has been introduced to align the adjustment-of-status process with the recently issued final rule governing inadmissibility on public-charge grounds, according to USCIS.
The public-charge assessment is used to determine whether an applicant is likely to depend primarily on government assistance for their livelihood. The criteria have changed under different administrations and continue to be a contentious issue in US immigration policy.
USCIS did not announce any changes to filing fees or application deadlines as part of the update. The agency has advised applicants to visit the Form I-485 webpage for a preview of the new form and detailed filing instructions.
Applicants who file Form I-485 can also apply for work and travel permits while their adjustment-of-status cases are being processed.
Indians in focus
Meanwhile, the change is likely to be closely watched by Indian nationals pursuing employment- or family-based permanent residency, especially those who have faced prolonged waits for an immigrant visa number to become available, as per ANI.
Indian professionals account for a significant portion of the employment-based immigration pool in the US, particularly in fields such as technology, healthcare, engineering and other specialised industries. Many have been waiting years for permanent residency due to annual country-specific limits on immigrant visas.
