Instructions For Application To Register Permanent Residence Or Adjust Status (Form I-485) (Page 2 of 42) in pdf

Who May File Form I-485?

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and certain other Federal laws provide many different ways to adjust status to

that of a lawful permanent resident. This is often informally referred to as applying for a “green card.”

The eligibility requirements for adjustment of status may vary depending on the immigrant category you are applying

under. For more information on adjustment of status eligibility and discretion, go to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration

Services (USCIS) website at

Furthermore, you must be physically present in the United States to file this application.

You may apply as the person who directly qualifies for an immigrant category (“principal applicant”) or, in some cases, as

a family member of the principal applicant (“derivative applicant”). Whether you are a principal or derivative applicant,

you must file your own Form I-485.

1. Principal Applicant

The principal applicant is usually the individual named as the beneficiary of an immigrant petition or who is otherwise

qualified to adjust status. A principal applicant must designate which immigrant category he or she is applying under

by selecting the appropriate box listed on Form I-485, Part 2. Application Type or Filing Category, Item Numbers

1.a. - 1.g.

Each category has specific requirements for adjustment of status. In addition to these Instructions, read the

Additional Instructions (found after the Form I-485 Main Instructions) for your immigrant category to determine

if any additional requirements apply to you.

2. Derivative Applicant (files based on a principal applicant)

A principal applicant’s spouse and children, who are not beneficiaries of their own immigrant petition, may be eligible

to apply for adjustment under the same immigrant category as the principal applicant. These family members are

called “derivative applicants.” A derivative applicant must designate which immigrant category he or she is applying

under by selecting the appropriate box listed on Form I-485, Part 2. Application Type or Filing Category, Item

Numbers 1.a. - 1.g.

Some immigrant categories do not allow for derivative applicants, while a few categories allow additional family

members to apply as derivative applicants. See the Additional Instructions for more details.

Under U.S. immigration law, you are a “child” if you are unmarried, under 21 years of age, and meet the definition of

“child” found in the INA and USCIS policy guidance. Visit

for more information on

the definition of “child.” You may still be considered a child for immigration purposes even after turning 21 years of

age if you qualify under the provisions of the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA). For more information on CSPA,

see

protection-act-cspa.

3. Other Immigrant Categories

If you are filing for adjustment of status based on an immigrant category not listed in Part 2., Item Numbers

1.a. - 1.g., select the “Other Eligibility” box in Item Number 1.g. and type or print the immigrant category you are

applying under. These immigrant categories include, but are not limited to:

A. Special immigrants not listed in Part 2., Item Number 1.c. (for example, certain U.S. armed forces members,

Panama Canal Zone employees, and physicians);

B. Polish or Hungarian parolee;

C. Private immigration bill signed into law; and

D. Registration of lawful permanent residence status based on a presumption of lawful admission.

Form I-485 Instructions 06/26/17 N

Page 2 of 42

Instructions For Application To Register Permanent Residence Or Adjust Status (Form I-485) Page 2