Green card and Form I-485: USCIS will reject older versions starting September 18

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is set to implement a new edition of Form I-485, the application for a green card, on September 18. This updated version will incorporate questions related to the public charge assessment, and there will be no grace period between the old and new forms.

Applicants seeking a green card must pay close attention to the submission date. The current edition of Form I-485, dated January 20, 2025, will no longer be accepted for applications postmarked or electronically filed on or after September 18. The USCIS has stated, "Do not file the I-485 (edition of 09/18/2026) before September 18. It will only be accepted if the form is postmarked or electronically filed on or after that date."

Applicants filing before September 18 can use the January 20, 2025 edition, provided it is properly postmarked or electronically submitted by that date. After the updated form takes effect, USCIS will reject any submissions using the previous version.

The primary change in the new Form I-485 is related to the updated regulations concerning inadmissibility based on public charge. The form now includes questions designed to gather more detailed information about an applicant's financial status and circumstances. This includes data on household size, income ranges (from less than $27,000 to over $141,000 annually), and family assets within specified ranges. Applicants will also need to declare financial obligations, both secured and unsecured debts.