On December 10, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced publication of a new edition of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Resident or Adjust Status. The new edition includes updates to questions and instructions. Starting February 10, 2025, USCIS will accept only the 10/24/24 edition of Form I-485 and will reject any older editions.

USCIS said the new edition of Form I-485:

  • Requires applicants who need to submit a Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, or a partial Form I-693 (such as a vaccination record), to submit the Form I-693 or partial Form I-693 with their Form I-485. If the applicant does not submit the Form I-693 with Form I-485 when it is required, the Form I-485 may be rejected;
  • Enables applicants who are exempt from the Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA, requirement to request the exemption on Form I-485 rather than submitting Form I-864W, Request for Exemption for Intending Immigrant’s Affidavit of Support, which has been discontinued;
  • Clarifies questions on the form about the public charge ground of inadmissibility. The questions now will require an applicant to identify their immigrant category so USCIS “can more easily determine whether or not they are exempt from this ground of inadmissibility and can adjudicate the application accordingly”; and
  • Streamlines the collection of information and consolidates and clarifies instructions and requirements.