USCIS to Release Updated Form I-485 on September 18

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will release an updated Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, on September 18, 2026. This revised version supersedes the January 20, 2025, edition and aligns adjustment-of-status procedures with a final rule regarding public-charge grounds of inadmissibility, which assesses whether an applicant is likely to rely on government support.

USCIS officials warned that no grace period will be provided for the transition. Applications postmarked or electronically submitted on or after September 18 must use the new edition or face immediate rejection. The agency also stated that the new form will not be accepted if submitted before the effective date.

While the agency has provided a preview of the form and online guidance, it confirmed that filing fees and submission timelines remain unchanged. The update is expected to particularly affect Indian nationals in specialized sectors who are currently facing significant backlogs for family- and employment-based Green Cards.