Forum I-485 (2024)

FAQs

Is there a way to speed up I-485? ›

If you have a USCIS online account and have access to secure messaging, you may select “expedite” as the reason for your inquiry and submit your request there. You generally need to justify your expedite request with evidence. When communicating with the Contact Center, you will be asked about supporting documentation.

For those filing for employment based green card with an Adjustment of Status it is possible to obtain an interview waiver from USCIS and not attend a formal interview with an USCIS officer.

The processing time for Form I-485 for family-based applications is currently 10–23 months (Boundless updates these figures monthly, based on analysis of USCIS data). Processing times for Form I-485 vary depending on your category of adjustment and which USCIS field office is processing the application.

For some, they will, unfortunately, face denials. There are a number of options individuals can take if their I-485 adjustment of status application is denied, however, it will depend on the specific circ*mstances of the case, the procedural posture of the case, and the reason for denial.

After your I-485 form status updates to “Case is being actively reviewed by USCIS,” the time to the next step can vary. If USCIS approves your application, you might get an approval notice within a few months, but it could take longer. If USCIS needs more information, they'll send you a Request for Evidence (RFE).

Many factors may affect how long it takes USCIS to complete an application, petition or request, such as the number of applications, petitions, or requests we receive, workload and staffing allocations, the time a benefit requestor takes responding to a request for more information, as well as policy and operational ...

The authority to waive in-person interviews is set to begin on January 1, 2024, and will undergo annual reviews. Importantly, this policy will remain in effect until further notice.

If you file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, you typically must undergo an immigration medical examination and receive vaccinations against vaccine-preventable diseases.

USCIS will send you a decision by mail. If it's been 90 days since your I-485 interview and you still don't have a decision, contact USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 to request an in-person InfoPass appointment. It's important to follow up.

Case Status Updates

Go to our Case Status Online page and use your Form I-485 receipt number to look up your case status. Submit a case inquiry if you think your application is outside of our normal processing times. Call our USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283.

Which gets approved first, I-130 or I-485? ›

Second, an I-130 should be either (1) filed simultaneously with the I-485, if the eligibility is immediately available; (2) filed first, approved, and then the I-485 is filed; or (3) filed first, pending, and if immediate eligibility is acquired while pending, the I-485 should be filed.

Can You Stay in US While I-485 Is Pending? After filing Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status you have the liberty to stay in the U.S. while the application is pending. If the USCIS denies your I-485 Application to Adjust Status you may be forced to leave the U.S. immediately.

Interviews can be waived for the following employment-based I-485 cases: You are still employed by the petitioner who submitted the approved employment-based visa petition. You were approved as an alien of extraordinary ability or alien of exceptional ability and you are otherwise qualified for a green card.

While you are waiting for the I-485 decision, make sure to renew your L-1B before it expires on March 2020. If you do get an I-485 denial, you should not be stuck with an expired visa. Otherwise, the denial could force you to leave the U.S. within 30 days.

A person who has filed for an I-485 and who uses an EAD will lose valid non-immigrant status. An F-1 student or H-1B visa holder who does this will be considered to be in I-485 pending status and out of F-1 or H-1B status. If the I-485 is denied, then the applicant cannot remain in the U.S. and will have to leave.

USCIS Expedite Request Fees: What You Need to Know

Immigrating to the U.S. can be a long process. But you can speed it up by submitting an expedite request to the USCIS. Before submitting an expedite request to the USCIS, it is important to be aware of any associated filing fees.

USCIS considers all requests for expedited processing on a case-by-case basis. USCIS may consider expediting your application under the following circ*mstances: Severe financial hardship, such as situations where you or your family members face imminent eviction, foreclosure, or loss of essential services.

An applicant may demonstrate urgency by establishing a reason to be in the United States that calls for immediate or other time-sensitive action, including (but not limited to) critical medical treatment, or the need to visit, assist or support a family member who is at an end-of-life stage of an illness or disease.

Speed & Efficiency

Filing both forms together offers significant advantages in streamlining the immigration process. You can avoid the waiting period for Form I-130 approval before filing Form I-485. This approach can expedite the overall processing time, allowing you to obtain a decision on your case more quickly.