USCIS Now Requires the New Form I-485 Edition Dated 09/18/26
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has published a revised edition of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Effective September 18, 2026, applicants must use the new edition dated 09/18/26. USCIS will reject the prior 01/20/25 edition if it is postmarked or electronically submitted on or after September 18, 2026.
This change took effect immediately. There is no grace period during which USCIS will accept both editions.
Which Edition Will USCIS Accept?
The controlling date is the date the application is postmarked or electronically submitted.
Before September 18, 2026: USCIS accepted the 01/20/25 edition.
On or after September 18, 2026: USCIS accepts only the 09/18/26 edition.
An applicant who uses the 01/20/25 edition on or after September 18 should expect USCIS to reject the filing package, even if the form was prepared or signed before the deadline.
Why Did USCIS Revise Form I-485?
USCIS revised Form I-485 to align it with the recently announced final rule concerning the public-charge ground of inadmissibility. Applicants should carefully review the new questions and updated instructions rather than copying answers from an older form.
The revision does not change the basic purpose of Form I-485. The form is still used by eligible applicants who are physically present in the United States to request lawful permanent resident status without completing immigrant-visa processing abroad. Eligibility and required evidence continue to depend on the applicant’s immigration category and individual circumstances.
Why a Rejection Can Be Serious
A rejection is different from a denial on the merits. When USCIS rejects an application, it generally does not accept the case for processing. The applicant must correct the problem and file again.
Even a short delay can matter when a case involves a filing deadline, visa availability, expiring status, employment authorization, travel plans, or a child approaching an age-related eligibility limit. Using the wrong edition can therefore create consequences beyond the inconvenience of preparing a replacement package.
Before Filing Form I-485
Applicants should take the following precautions:
Download a fresh copy of Form I-485 and its instructions from the official USCIS website.
Confirm that 09/18/26 appears as the edition date at the bottom of the form.
Make sure every page comes from the same edition. Missing pages or pages from a different edition may result in rejection.
Review the revised public-charge questions carefully and provide all evidence required for the applicant’s circumstances.
Confirm the correct filing fee, filing address, signatures, and supporting forms immediately before submission.
USCIS forms and filing instructions can change without a lengthy transition period. Applicants should not rely on a previously downloaded form, a saved template, or a form obtained from an unofficial website.
Speak With an Immigration Attorney
Adjustment of status is more than a form-filing process. A complete legal review may identify inadmissibility concerns, status violations, prior immigration history, public-charge issues, or category-specific requirements before the application is submitted.
Li Law Group, LLC assists individuals and families with adjustment-of-status and other immigration matters. To discuss your case, call 402-224-6588.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Immigration law and USCIS procedures may change, and each case should be evaluated on its own facts.
Official source: USCIS alert regarding the revised Form I-485
