USCIS Adjustment of Status Checklist (Form I-485)

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The whole I-485 checklist, on one page

I-485 runs differently depending on which of 12 case types you are on, so each one is listed separately below. The checklist above remembers where you are and what you have ticked; this is the same material in one piece, to read or print without ticking anything.

Case types covered: Spouse of a U.S. citizen · Spouse of a green card holder · Other family petition · Refugee (INA 209(a)) · Asylee (INA 209(b)) · VAWA self-petitioner · U nonimmigrant (245(m)) · T nonimmigrant (245(l)) · Special Immigrant Juvenile · Employment-based · Diversity Visa lottery · Cuban Adjustment Act

AOS-01Step 1 Confirm you can adjust inside the U.S.

The eligibility questions that decide whether this is the right filing at all.

Do this before you spend anything Adjustment of status is for people already in the United States. If any of these questions is uncertain, have a licensed immigration attorney look before you file. A refused I-485 is expensive and can create bigger problems.

Spouse of a U.S. citizen Married to a U.S. citizen

Immediate relative: a visa number is always available, and overstay or unauthorised work is generally forgiven. The case turns on whether the marriage is real.

Marriage certificateGovernment-issued. A religious or customary ceremony alone is not enough where registration was also required.
Petitioner's proof of U.S. citizenshipPassport biodata page, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate.
Proof every earlier marriage legally endedDivorce decree, annulment or death certificate, for both spouses, whichever applies.
Joint financial recordsJoint accounts, joint lease or mortgage, shared insurance, each named as the other's beneficiary. Ongoing and dated beats one-off.
Proof you live togetherLease or mortgage with both names, utility bills, mail at the same address, matching licences.
Children's birth certificates naming both parents, if any
Photographs across the whole relationshipDifferent times, places and people, not one event. Label them with dates.
Communication and travel historyMessages, call logs, tickets, itineraries, especially for time spent apart.
Sworn statements from people who know you bothSigned letters with the writer's own contact details.
If married under two years at approval: expect a conditional cardA two-year card means a Form I-751 later. Diary it now.

Spouse of a green card holder Married to a lawful permanent resident (F2A)

F2A is a preference category: a visa number must be available, and the forgiveness that immediate relatives get does not apply. Status gaps matter here.

Marriage certificateGovernment-issued.
Petitioner's green card, front and back
Proof every earlier marriage legally ended
Joint financial recordsJoint accounts, lease or mortgage, insurance beneficiaries.
Proof you live together
Photographs, messages and travel across the relationship
Children's birth certificates naming both parents, if any

Other family petition Parent, child or sibling of a U.S. citizen or LPR

Parents and unmarried children under 21 of a U.S. citizen are immediate relatives with no wait. Everyone else is a preference category and waits for a visa number.

Approved or filed Form I-130 for this relationshipReceipt or approval notice (Form I-797).
Birth certificates proving the qualifying relationshipParent–child chains need every link.
Petitioner's proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence
Name-change records where documents disagreeMarriage certificate, court order, or a sworn statement explaining the variation.
Check the Visa Bulletin before filing BLOCKINGImmediate relatives are exempt from the wait; every preference category is not.
Confirm no child has aged outRun the CSPA calculation for anyone approaching 21 before filing.

Refugee (INA 209(a)) Admitted to the U.S. as a refugee

The lightest path in this list: no fee, no sponsor, and usually no second medical exam. You are expected to apply one year after admission.

Copy of the I-94 showing refugee admissionPrint it from the CBP website if you do not have the paper card.
Copy of the refugee travel document or passport, if issued
Two passport-style photographs
Evidence of one year's physical presenceLeases, pay records, school letters, medical records, benefit letters: anything dated across the year.
Documents from the resettlement agency, if you have themAssurance and arrival paperwork can help establish the admission date.
Form I-602 waiver only if a ground of inadmissibility appliesNot part of a normal filing. Raise it with a preparer or attorney first.

Asylee (INA 209(b)) Granted asylum in the U.S.

Close to the refugee path (no sponsor, no visa number) but the medical exam is usually a full one, and the fee treatment is the part to verify before you send anything.

Copy of the asylum approval letter or judge's order BLOCKINGThe single most important document on this path.
Copy of the I-94 showing asylee status
Two passport-style photographs
Evidence of one year's physical presence since the grantLeases, pay records, school or medical records dated across the year.
Derivative family: proof of the qualifying relationshipMarriage or birth certificate showing how the derivative relates to the principal asylee.
Passport or travel document, if you have oneNot always available on this path. Its absence is normal and not a problem.

VAWA self-petitioner Abused spouse, child or parent: Form I-360

Filed on your own, confidentially. USCIS may not tell the abuser about the case, and the abuser is never asked to sponsor you.

Form I-360 approval or receipt notice
Evidence of the qualifying relationshipMarriage or birth certificate.
Evidence of the abuser's citizenship or LPR status, if availableNot always obtainable. Say so rather than delaying the filing.
Evidence of residence with the abuserLeases, mail, school or medical records.
Evidence of the abusePolice or court records, protective orders, medical or counselling records, sworn statements. Keep copies somewhere safe.
Evidence of good moral characterPolice clearances for places lived, and a personal statement.

U nonimmigrant (245(m)) Crime victim who helped law enforcement

Three years in U status is the gate, and continued cooperation with law enforcement is part of the test. No sponsor and no visa number.

Copy of the U approval notice and I-94
Evidence of three years' continuous presenceLeases, pay records, school or medical records dated across the whole period.
Statement about assistance to law enforcementDescribe any requests received since the certification and how you responded.
Law enforcement confirmation, if obtainableHelpful, not always available.
Derivative family: proof of the qualifying relationship

T nonimmigrant (245(l)) Trafficking victim

Either three years in T status, or the full length of the trafficking investigation or prosecution, whichever is shorter. No sponsor and no visa number.

Copy of the T approval notice and I-94
Evidence of continuous physical presenceDated records across the whole qualifying period.
Evidence of good moral characterPolice clearances for places lived, plus a personal statement.
Law enforcement statement, if the investigation has endedOr evidence of an exemption from the cooperation requirement.
Derivative family: proof of the qualifying relationship

Special Immigrant Juvenile Young person with a juvenile court finding

Built for young people who cannot be reunited with a parent. No sponsor, and a green card obtained this way can never be used to petition for those parents.

Form I-360 approval notice
Certified copy of the juvenile court order BLOCKING
Birth certificateWith certified translation where needed.
Evidence of the applicant's age at filing
Guardian or agency contact details for notices

Employment-based Employer-sponsored, after an I-140

The I-140 category and priority date drive everything. An I-864 is only involved where a relative filed the petition or owns a significant share of the employer.

Form I-140 approval or receipt notice
Evidence you meet the position's requirementsDegrees, transcripts, credential evaluation for foreign qualifications, licences, experience letters.
Evidence of maintained statusI-94s, approval notices, and pay records covering the whole period.
Consider Form I-485 Supplement JNeeded to confirm the job offer, or to port to a new employer after 180 days.
Derivative spouse and children documentedMarriage certificate and each child's birth certificate.

Diversity Visa lottery DV selectee adjusting inside the U.S.

The hardest deadline in immigration: the case must be approved by the end of the fiscal year, 30 September. An unapproved DV case simply expires.

DV selection notice and confirmation number
Proof the DV fee was paidPaid to the Department of State, separate from any USCIS fee.
High school diploma or qualifying work experience BLOCKING
Birth certificate and passport
Derivative spouse and children documentedThey must be approved by the same 30 September deadline.

Cuban Adjustment Act Cuban national, one year after admission or parole

A statute of its own: one year of presence after being inspected and admitted or paroled, no petition and no sponsor.

Evidence of Cuban nationalityPassport, birth certificate, or other national record.
Evidence of inspection and admission or parole BLOCKINGI-94 or parole document.
Evidence of one year's physical presenceDated records across the year.
Spouse or child applying with you: proof of the relationshipMarriage or birth certificate.

AOS-02Step 2 Build the forms package

One I-485 per person, plus the optional benefits that ride with it.

File the optional forms together The work permit (I-765) and travel document (I-131) are filed with the I-485. Requesting them later means waiting again.

Form I-485 completed and signedEvery applicant files their own, regardless of age. Use the edition currently posted on uscis.gov. An outdated edition is rejected.
Parent or guardian signs for the childA child under 14 does not sign their own I-485.
Two passport-style photographsTaken within 30 days, name and A-number (if any) written lightly on the back.
Copy of the passport biodata page and every U.S. visa and entry stampWhere a passport was never issued, say so. It is normal on some paths.
Form I-94 printed from the CBP websitei94.cbp.dhs.gov. Print it rather than describing it.
Birth certificate with certified English translationIf the country does not issue one, the State Department reciprocity schedule says what to file instead.
Form I-765 for a work permit, if wantedCheck whether a separate fee applies to your category.
Form I-131 for advance parole, if travel may be needed BLOCKINGLeaving the U.S. while an I-485 is pending, without advance parole, is normally treated as abandoning the application. Refugees and asylees should use a refugee travel document instead. Ask first.
Form G-1145 for text and email notificationsOptional, free, and tells you the moment the receipt is generated.
Form G-28 if a representative is involvedAttorney or accredited representative only.

AOS-03Step 3 Sponsorship and support

Who, if anyone, has to promise to support the applicant.

Not every path needs a sponsor The Affidavit of Support belongs to family-sponsored cases. Several paths in this list need no sponsor at all. Check the panel before collecting a single tax return.

Spouse of a U.S. citizen Married to a U.S. citizen

Immediate relative: a visa number is always available, and overstay or unauthorised work is generally forgiven. The case turns on whether the marriage is real.

Marriage certificateGovernment-issued. A religious or customary ceremony alone is not enough where registration was also required.
Petitioner's proof of U.S. citizenshipPassport biodata page, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate.
Proof every earlier marriage legally endedDivorce decree, annulment or death certificate, for both spouses, whichever applies.
Joint financial recordsJoint accounts, joint lease or mortgage, shared insurance, each named as the other's beneficiary. Ongoing and dated beats one-off.
Proof you live togetherLease or mortgage with both names, utility bills, mail at the same address, matching licences.
Children's birth certificates naming both parents, if any
Photographs across the whole relationshipDifferent times, places and people, not one event. Label them with dates.
Communication and travel historyMessages, call logs, tickets, itineraries, especially for time spent apart.
Sworn statements from people who know you bothSigned letters with the writer's own contact details.
If married under two years at approval: expect a conditional cardA two-year card means a Form I-751 later. Diary it now.

Spouse of a green card holder Married to a lawful permanent resident (F2A)

F2A is a preference category: a visa number must be available, and the forgiveness that immediate relatives get does not apply. Status gaps matter here.

Marriage certificateGovernment-issued.
Petitioner's green card, front and back
Proof every earlier marriage legally ended
Joint financial recordsJoint accounts, lease or mortgage, insurance beneficiaries.
Proof you live together
Photographs, messages and travel across the relationship
Children's birth certificates naming both parents, if any

Other family petition Parent, child or sibling of a U.S. citizen or LPR

Parents and unmarried children under 21 of a U.S. citizen are immediate relatives with no wait. Everyone else is a preference category and waits for a visa number.

Approved or filed Form I-130 for this relationshipReceipt or approval notice (Form I-797).
Birth certificates proving the qualifying relationshipParent–child chains need every link.
Petitioner's proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence
Name-change records where documents disagreeMarriage certificate, court order, or a sworn statement explaining the variation.
Check the Visa Bulletin before filing BLOCKINGImmediate relatives are exempt from the wait; every preference category is not.
Confirm no child has aged outRun the CSPA calculation for anyone approaching 21 before filing.

Refugee (INA 209(a)) Admitted to the U.S. as a refugee

The lightest path in this list: no fee, no sponsor, and usually no second medical exam. You are expected to apply one year after admission.

Copy of the I-94 showing refugee admissionPrint it from the CBP website if you do not have the paper card.
Copy of the refugee travel document or passport, if issued
Two passport-style photographs
Evidence of one year's physical presenceLeases, pay records, school letters, medical records, benefit letters: anything dated across the year.
Documents from the resettlement agency, if you have themAssurance and arrival paperwork can help establish the admission date.
Form I-602 waiver only if a ground of inadmissibility appliesNot part of a normal filing. Raise it with a preparer or attorney first.

Asylee (INA 209(b)) Granted asylum in the U.S.

Close to the refugee path (no sponsor, no visa number) but the medical exam is usually a full one, and the fee treatment is the part to verify before you send anything.

Copy of the asylum approval letter or judge's order BLOCKINGThe single most important document on this path.
Copy of the I-94 showing asylee status
Two passport-style photographs
Evidence of one year's physical presence since the grantLeases, pay records, school or medical records dated across the year.
Derivative family: proof of the qualifying relationshipMarriage or birth certificate showing how the derivative relates to the principal asylee.
Passport or travel document, if you have oneNot always available on this path. Its absence is normal and not a problem.

VAWA self-petitioner Abused spouse, child or parent: Form I-360

Filed on your own, confidentially. USCIS may not tell the abuser about the case, and the abuser is never asked to sponsor you.

Form I-360 approval or receipt notice
Evidence of the qualifying relationshipMarriage or birth certificate.
Evidence of the abuser's citizenship or LPR status, if availableNot always obtainable. Say so rather than delaying the filing.
Evidence of residence with the abuserLeases, mail, school or medical records.
Evidence of the abusePolice or court records, protective orders, medical or counselling records, sworn statements. Keep copies somewhere safe.
Evidence of good moral characterPolice clearances for places lived, and a personal statement.

U nonimmigrant (245(m)) Crime victim who helped law enforcement

Three years in U status is the gate, and continued cooperation with law enforcement is part of the test. No sponsor and no visa number.

Copy of the U approval notice and I-94
Evidence of three years' continuous presenceLeases, pay records, school or medical records dated across the whole period.
Statement about assistance to law enforcementDescribe any requests received since the certification and how you responded.
Law enforcement confirmation, if obtainableHelpful, not always available.
Derivative family: proof of the qualifying relationship

T nonimmigrant (245(l)) Trafficking victim

Either three years in T status, or the full length of the trafficking investigation or prosecution, whichever is shorter. No sponsor and no visa number.

Copy of the T approval notice and I-94
Evidence of continuous physical presenceDated records across the whole qualifying period.
Evidence of good moral characterPolice clearances for places lived, plus a personal statement.
Law enforcement statement, if the investigation has endedOr evidence of an exemption from the cooperation requirement.
Derivative family: proof of the qualifying relationship

Special Immigrant Juvenile Young person with a juvenile court finding

Built for young people who cannot be reunited with a parent. No sponsor, and a green card obtained this way can never be used to petition for those parents.

Form I-360 approval notice
Certified copy of the juvenile court order BLOCKING
Birth certificateWith certified translation where needed.
Evidence of the applicant's age at filing
Guardian or agency contact details for notices

Employment-based Employer-sponsored, after an I-140

The I-140 category and priority date drive everything. An I-864 is only involved where a relative filed the petition or owns a significant share of the employer.

Form I-140 approval or receipt notice
Evidence you meet the position's requirementsDegrees, transcripts, credential evaluation for foreign qualifications, licences, experience letters.
Evidence of maintained statusI-94s, approval notices, and pay records covering the whole period.
Consider Form I-485 Supplement JNeeded to confirm the job offer, or to port to a new employer after 180 days.
Derivative spouse and children documentedMarriage certificate and each child's birth certificate.

Diversity Visa lottery DV selectee adjusting inside the U.S.

The hardest deadline in immigration: the case must be approved by the end of the fiscal year, 30 September. An unapproved DV case simply expires.

DV selection notice and confirmation number
Proof the DV fee was paidPaid to the Department of State, separate from any USCIS fee.
High school diploma or qualifying work experience BLOCKING
Birth certificate and passport
Derivative spouse and children documentedThey must be approved by the same 30 September deadline.

Cuban Adjustment Act Cuban national, one year after admission or parole

A statute of its own: one year of presence after being inspected and admitted or paroled, no petition and no sponsor.

Evidence of Cuban nationalityPassport, birth certificate, or other national record.
Evidence of inspection and admission or parole BLOCKINGI-94 or parole document.
Evidence of one year's physical presenceDated records across the year.
Spouse or child applying with you: proof of the relationshipMarriage or birth certificate.

AOS-04Step 4 Medical exam: Form I-693

A USCIS civil surgeon, not a consular panel physician.

Use the right doctor Only a USCIS-designated civil surgeon can complete a Form I-693. Find one through the USCIS Find a Doctor tool.

Spouse of a U.S. citizen Married to a U.S. citizen

Immediate relative: a visa number is always available, and overstay or unauthorised work is generally forgiven. The case turns on whether the marriage is real.

Marriage certificateGovernment-issued. A religious or customary ceremony alone is not enough where registration was also required.
Petitioner's proof of U.S. citizenshipPassport biodata page, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate.
Proof every earlier marriage legally endedDivorce decree, annulment or death certificate, for both spouses, whichever applies.
Joint financial recordsJoint accounts, joint lease or mortgage, shared insurance, each named as the other's beneficiary. Ongoing and dated beats one-off.
Proof you live togetherLease or mortgage with both names, utility bills, mail at the same address, matching licences.
Children's birth certificates naming both parents, if any
Photographs across the whole relationshipDifferent times, places and people, not one event. Label them with dates.
Communication and travel historyMessages, call logs, tickets, itineraries, especially for time spent apart.
Sworn statements from people who know you bothSigned letters with the writer's own contact details.
If married under two years at approval: expect a conditional cardA two-year card means a Form I-751 later. Diary it now.

Spouse of a green card holder Married to a lawful permanent resident (F2A)

F2A is a preference category: a visa number must be available, and the forgiveness that immediate relatives get does not apply. Status gaps matter here.

Marriage certificateGovernment-issued.
Petitioner's green card, front and back
Proof every earlier marriage legally ended
Joint financial recordsJoint accounts, lease or mortgage, insurance beneficiaries.
Proof you live together
Photographs, messages and travel across the relationship
Children's birth certificates naming both parents, if any

Other family petition Parent, child or sibling of a U.S. citizen or LPR

Parents and unmarried children under 21 of a U.S. citizen are immediate relatives with no wait. Everyone else is a preference category and waits for a visa number.

Approved or filed Form I-130 for this relationshipReceipt or approval notice (Form I-797).
Birth certificates proving the qualifying relationshipParent–child chains need every link.
Petitioner's proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence
Name-change records where documents disagreeMarriage certificate, court order, or a sworn statement explaining the variation.
Check the Visa Bulletin before filing BLOCKINGImmediate relatives are exempt from the wait; every preference category is not.
Confirm no child has aged outRun the CSPA calculation for anyone approaching 21 before filing.

Refugee (INA 209(a)) Admitted to the U.S. as a refugee

The lightest path in this list: no fee, no sponsor, and usually no second medical exam. You are expected to apply one year after admission.

Copy of the I-94 showing refugee admissionPrint it from the CBP website if you do not have the paper card.
Copy of the refugee travel document or passport, if issued
Two passport-style photographs
Evidence of one year's physical presenceLeases, pay records, school letters, medical records, benefit letters: anything dated across the year.
Documents from the resettlement agency, if you have themAssurance and arrival paperwork can help establish the admission date.
Form I-602 waiver only if a ground of inadmissibility appliesNot part of a normal filing. Raise it with a preparer or attorney first.

Asylee (INA 209(b)) Granted asylum in the U.S.

Close to the refugee path (no sponsor, no visa number) but the medical exam is usually a full one, and the fee treatment is the part to verify before you send anything.

Copy of the asylum approval letter or judge's order BLOCKINGThe single most important document on this path.
Copy of the I-94 showing asylee status
Two passport-style photographs
Evidence of one year's physical presence since the grantLeases, pay records, school or medical records dated across the year.
Derivative family: proof of the qualifying relationshipMarriage or birth certificate showing how the derivative relates to the principal asylee.
Passport or travel document, if you have oneNot always available on this path. Its absence is normal and not a problem.

VAWA self-petitioner Abused spouse, child or parent: Form I-360

Filed on your own, confidentially. USCIS may not tell the abuser about the case, and the abuser is never asked to sponsor you.

Form I-360 approval or receipt notice
Evidence of the qualifying relationshipMarriage or birth certificate.
Evidence of the abuser's citizenship or LPR status, if availableNot always obtainable. Say so rather than delaying the filing.
Evidence of residence with the abuserLeases, mail, school or medical records.
Evidence of the abusePolice or court records, protective orders, medical or counselling records, sworn statements. Keep copies somewhere safe.
Evidence of good moral characterPolice clearances for places lived, and a personal statement.

U nonimmigrant (245(m)) Crime victim who helped law enforcement

Three years in U status is the gate, and continued cooperation with law enforcement is part of the test. No sponsor and no visa number.

Copy of the U approval notice and I-94
Evidence of three years' continuous presenceLeases, pay records, school or medical records dated across the whole period.
Statement about assistance to law enforcementDescribe any requests received since the certification and how you responded.
Law enforcement confirmation, if obtainableHelpful, not always available.
Derivative family: proof of the qualifying relationship

T nonimmigrant (245(l)) Trafficking victim

Either three years in T status, or the full length of the trafficking investigation or prosecution, whichever is shorter. No sponsor and no visa number.

Copy of the T approval notice and I-94
Evidence of continuous physical presenceDated records across the whole qualifying period.
Evidence of good moral characterPolice clearances for places lived, plus a personal statement.
Law enforcement statement, if the investigation has endedOr evidence of an exemption from the cooperation requirement.
Derivative family: proof of the qualifying relationship

Special Immigrant Juvenile Young person with a juvenile court finding

Built for young people who cannot be reunited with a parent. No sponsor, and a green card obtained this way can never be used to petition for those parents.

Form I-360 approval notice
Certified copy of the juvenile court order BLOCKING
Birth certificateWith certified translation where needed.
Evidence of the applicant's age at filing
Guardian or agency contact details for notices

Employment-based Employer-sponsored, after an I-140

The I-140 category and priority date drive everything. An I-864 is only involved where a relative filed the petition or owns a significant share of the employer.

Form I-140 approval or receipt notice
Evidence you meet the position's requirementsDegrees, transcripts, credential evaluation for foreign qualifications, licences, experience letters.
Evidence of maintained statusI-94s, approval notices, and pay records covering the whole period.
Consider Form I-485 Supplement JNeeded to confirm the job offer, or to port to a new employer after 180 days.
Derivative spouse and children documentedMarriage certificate and each child's birth certificate.

Diversity Visa lottery DV selectee adjusting inside the U.S.

The hardest deadline in immigration: the case must be approved by the end of the fiscal year, 30 September. An unapproved DV case simply expires.

DV selection notice and confirmation number
Proof the DV fee was paidPaid to the Department of State, separate from any USCIS fee.
High school diploma or qualifying work experience BLOCKING
Birth certificate and passport
Derivative spouse and children documentedThey must be approved by the same 30 September deadline.

Cuban Adjustment Act Cuban national, one year after admission or parole

A statute of its own: one year of presence after being inspected and admitted or paroled, no petition and no sponsor.

Evidence of Cuban nationalityPassport, birth certificate, or other national record.
Evidence of inspection and admission or parole BLOCKINGI-94 or parole document.
Evidence of one year's physical presenceDated records across the year.
Spouse or child applying with you: proof of the relationshipMarriage or birth certificate.

AOS-05Step 5 Evidence for this path

What proves the relationship, the status, or the job behind the case.

Quality over volume

Spouse of a U.S. citizen Married to a U.S. citizen

Immediate relative: a visa number is always available, and overstay or unauthorised work is generally forgiven. The case turns on whether the marriage is real.

Marriage certificateGovernment-issued. A religious or customary ceremony alone is not enough where registration was also required.
Petitioner's proof of U.S. citizenshipPassport biodata page, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate.
Proof every earlier marriage legally endedDivorce decree, annulment or death certificate, for both spouses, whichever applies.
Joint financial recordsJoint accounts, joint lease or mortgage, shared insurance, each named as the other's beneficiary. Ongoing and dated beats one-off.
Proof you live togetherLease or mortgage with both names, utility bills, mail at the same address, matching licences.
Children's birth certificates naming both parents, if any
Photographs across the whole relationshipDifferent times, places and people, not one event. Label them with dates.
Communication and travel historyMessages, call logs, tickets, itineraries, especially for time spent apart.
Sworn statements from people who know you bothSigned letters with the writer's own contact details.
If married under two years at approval: expect a conditional cardA two-year card means a Form I-751 later. Diary it now.

Spouse of a green card holder Married to a lawful permanent resident (F2A)

F2A is a preference category: a visa number must be available, and the forgiveness that immediate relatives get does not apply. Status gaps matter here.

Marriage certificateGovernment-issued.
Petitioner's green card, front and back
Proof every earlier marriage legally ended
Joint financial recordsJoint accounts, lease or mortgage, insurance beneficiaries.
Proof you live together
Photographs, messages and travel across the relationship
Children's birth certificates naming both parents, if any

Other family petition Parent, child or sibling of a U.S. citizen or LPR

Parents and unmarried children under 21 of a U.S. citizen are immediate relatives with no wait. Everyone else is a preference category and waits for a visa number.

Approved or filed Form I-130 for this relationshipReceipt or approval notice (Form I-797).
Birth certificates proving the qualifying relationshipParent–child chains need every link.
Petitioner's proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence
Name-change records where documents disagreeMarriage certificate, court order, or a sworn statement explaining the variation.
Check the Visa Bulletin before filing BLOCKINGImmediate relatives are exempt from the wait; every preference category is not.
Confirm no child has aged outRun the CSPA calculation for anyone approaching 21 before filing.

Refugee (INA 209(a)) Admitted to the U.S. as a refugee

The lightest path in this list: no fee, no sponsor, and usually no second medical exam. You are expected to apply one year after admission.

Copy of the I-94 showing refugee admissionPrint it from the CBP website if you do not have the paper card.
Copy of the refugee travel document or passport, if issued
Two passport-style photographs
Evidence of one year's physical presenceLeases, pay records, school letters, medical records, benefit letters: anything dated across the year.
Documents from the resettlement agency, if you have themAssurance and arrival paperwork can help establish the admission date.
Form I-602 waiver only if a ground of inadmissibility appliesNot part of a normal filing. Raise it with a preparer or attorney first.

Asylee (INA 209(b)) Granted asylum in the U.S.

Close to the refugee path (no sponsor, no visa number) but the medical exam is usually a full one, and the fee treatment is the part to verify before you send anything.

Copy of the asylum approval letter or judge's order BLOCKINGThe single most important document on this path.
Copy of the I-94 showing asylee status
Two passport-style photographs
Evidence of one year's physical presence since the grantLeases, pay records, school or medical records dated across the year.
Derivative family: proof of the qualifying relationshipMarriage or birth certificate showing how the derivative relates to the principal asylee.
Passport or travel document, if you have oneNot always available on this path. Its absence is normal and not a problem.

VAWA self-petitioner Abused spouse, child or parent: Form I-360

Filed on your own, confidentially. USCIS may not tell the abuser about the case, and the abuser is never asked to sponsor you.

Form I-360 approval or receipt notice
Evidence of the qualifying relationshipMarriage or birth certificate.
Evidence of the abuser's citizenship or LPR status, if availableNot always obtainable. Say so rather than delaying the filing.
Evidence of residence with the abuserLeases, mail, school or medical records.
Evidence of the abusePolice or court records, protective orders, medical or counselling records, sworn statements. Keep copies somewhere safe.
Evidence of good moral characterPolice clearances for places lived, and a personal statement.

U nonimmigrant (245(m)) Crime victim who helped law enforcement

Three years in U status is the gate, and continued cooperation with law enforcement is part of the test. No sponsor and no visa number.

Copy of the U approval notice and I-94
Evidence of three years' continuous presenceLeases, pay records, school or medical records dated across the whole period.
Statement about assistance to law enforcementDescribe any requests received since the certification and how you responded.
Law enforcement confirmation, if obtainableHelpful, not always available.
Derivative family: proof of the qualifying relationship

T nonimmigrant (245(l)) Trafficking victim

Either three years in T status, or the full length of the trafficking investigation or prosecution, whichever is shorter. No sponsor and no visa number.

Copy of the T approval notice and I-94
Evidence of continuous physical presenceDated records across the whole qualifying period.
Evidence of good moral characterPolice clearances for places lived, plus a personal statement.
Law enforcement statement, if the investigation has endedOr evidence of an exemption from the cooperation requirement.
Derivative family: proof of the qualifying relationship

Special Immigrant Juvenile Young person with a juvenile court finding

Built for young people who cannot be reunited with a parent. No sponsor, and a green card obtained this way can never be used to petition for those parents.

Form I-360 approval notice
Certified copy of the juvenile court order BLOCKING
Birth certificateWith certified translation where needed.
Evidence of the applicant's age at filing
Guardian or agency contact details for notices

Employment-based Employer-sponsored, after an I-140

The I-140 category and priority date drive everything. An I-864 is only involved where a relative filed the petition or owns a significant share of the employer.

Form I-140 approval or receipt notice
Evidence you meet the position's requirementsDegrees, transcripts, credential evaluation for foreign qualifications, licences, experience letters.
Evidence of maintained statusI-94s, approval notices, and pay records covering the whole period.
Consider Form I-485 Supplement JNeeded to confirm the job offer, or to port to a new employer after 180 days.
Derivative spouse and children documentedMarriage certificate and each child's birth certificate.

Diversity Visa lottery DV selectee adjusting inside the U.S.

The hardest deadline in immigration: the case must be approved by the end of the fiscal year, 30 September. An unapproved DV case simply expires.

DV selection notice and confirmation number
Proof the DV fee was paidPaid to the Department of State, separate from any USCIS fee.
High school diploma or qualifying work experience BLOCKING
Birth certificate and passport
Derivative spouse and children documentedThey must be approved by the same 30 September deadline.

Cuban Adjustment Act Cuban national, one year after admission or parole

A statute of its own: one year of presence after being inspected and admitted or paroled, no petition and no sponsor.

Evidence of Cuban nationalityPassport, birth certificate, or other national record.
Evidence of inspection and admission or parole BLOCKINGI-94 or parole document.
Evidence of one year's physical presenceDated records across the year.
Spouse or child applying with you: proof of the relationshipMarriage or birth certificate.

AOS-06Step 6 Fees and filing

Get the money and the mailing right the first time.

Confirm every fee on the day you file USCIS rejects a filing outright if the fee is wrong, and fees change. Check the USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055) and the I-485 page before paying anything.

Spouse of a U.S. citizen Married to a U.S. citizen

Immediate relative: a visa number is always available, and overstay or unauthorised work is generally forgiven. The case turns on whether the marriage is real.

Marriage certificateGovernment-issued. A religious or customary ceremony alone is not enough where registration was also required.
Petitioner's proof of U.S. citizenshipPassport biodata page, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate.
Proof every earlier marriage legally endedDivorce decree, annulment or death certificate, for both spouses, whichever applies.
Joint financial recordsJoint accounts, joint lease or mortgage, shared insurance, each named as the other's beneficiary. Ongoing and dated beats one-off.
Proof you live togetherLease or mortgage with both names, utility bills, mail at the same address, matching licences.
Children's birth certificates naming both parents, if any
Photographs across the whole relationshipDifferent times, places and people, not one event. Label them with dates.
Communication and travel historyMessages, call logs, tickets, itineraries, especially for time spent apart.
Sworn statements from people who know you bothSigned letters with the writer's own contact details.
If married under two years at approval: expect a conditional cardA two-year card means a Form I-751 later. Diary it now.

Spouse of a green card holder Married to a lawful permanent resident (F2A)

F2A is a preference category: a visa number must be available, and the forgiveness that immediate relatives get does not apply. Status gaps matter here.

Marriage certificateGovernment-issued.
Petitioner's green card, front and back
Proof every earlier marriage legally ended
Joint financial recordsJoint accounts, lease or mortgage, insurance beneficiaries.
Proof you live together
Photographs, messages and travel across the relationship
Children's birth certificates naming both parents, if any

Other family petition Parent, child or sibling of a U.S. citizen or LPR

Parents and unmarried children under 21 of a U.S. citizen are immediate relatives with no wait. Everyone else is a preference category and waits for a visa number.

Approved or filed Form I-130 for this relationshipReceipt or approval notice (Form I-797).
Birth certificates proving the qualifying relationshipParent–child chains need every link.
Petitioner's proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence
Name-change records where documents disagreeMarriage certificate, court order, or a sworn statement explaining the variation.
Check the Visa Bulletin before filing BLOCKINGImmediate relatives are exempt from the wait; every preference category is not.
Confirm no child has aged outRun the CSPA calculation for anyone approaching 21 before filing.

Refugee (INA 209(a)) Admitted to the U.S. as a refugee

The lightest path in this list: no fee, no sponsor, and usually no second medical exam. You are expected to apply one year after admission.

Copy of the I-94 showing refugee admissionPrint it from the CBP website if you do not have the paper card.
Copy of the refugee travel document or passport, if issued
Two passport-style photographs
Evidence of one year's physical presenceLeases, pay records, school letters, medical records, benefit letters: anything dated across the year.
Documents from the resettlement agency, if you have themAssurance and arrival paperwork can help establish the admission date.
Form I-602 waiver only if a ground of inadmissibility appliesNot part of a normal filing. Raise it with a preparer or attorney first.

Asylee (INA 209(b)) Granted asylum in the U.S.

Close to the refugee path (no sponsor, no visa number) but the medical exam is usually a full one, and the fee treatment is the part to verify before you send anything.

Copy of the asylum approval letter or judge's order BLOCKINGThe single most important document on this path.
Copy of the I-94 showing asylee status
Two passport-style photographs
Evidence of one year's physical presence since the grantLeases, pay records, school or medical records dated across the year.
Derivative family: proof of the qualifying relationshipMarriage or birth certificate showing how the derivative relates to the principal asylee.
Passport or travel document, if you have oneNot always available on this path. Its absence is normal and not a problem.

VAWA self-petitioner Abused spouse, child or parent: Form I-360

Filed on your own, confidentially. USCIS may not tell the abuser about the case, and the abuser is never asked to sponsor you.

Form I-360 approval or receipt notice
Evidence of the qualifying relationshipMarriage or birth certificate.
Evidence of the abuser's citizenship or LPR status, if availableNot always obtainable. Say so rather than delaying the filing.
Evidence of residence with the abuserLeases, mail, school or medical records.
Evidence of the abusePolice or court records, protective orders, medical or counselling records, sworn statements. Keep copies somewhere safe.
Evidence of good moral characterPolice clearances for places lived, and a personal statement.

U nonimmigrant (245(m)) Crime victim who helped law enforcement

Three years in U status is the gate, and continued cooperation with law enforcement is part of the test. No sponsor and no visa number.

Copy of the U approval notice and I-94
Evidence of three years' continuous presenceLeases, pay records, school or medical records dated across the whole period.
Statement about assistance to law enforcementDescribe any requests received since the certification and how you responded.
Law enforcement confirmation, if obtainableHelpful, not always available.
Derivative family: proof of the qualifying relationship

T nonimmigrant (245(l)) Trafficking victim

Either three years in T status, or the full length of the trafficking investigation or prosecution, whichever is shorter. No sponsor and no visa number.

Copy of the T approval notice and I-94
Evidence of continuous physical presenceDated records across the whole qualifying period.
Evidence of good moral characterPolice clearances for places lived, plus a personal statement.
Law enforcement statement, if the investigation has endedOr evidence of an exemption from the cooperation requirement.
Derivative family: proof of the qualifying relationship

Special Immigrant Juvenile Young person with a juvenile court finding

Built for young people who cannot be reunited with a parent. No sponsor, and a green card obtained this way can never be used to petition for those parents.

Form I-360 approval notice
Certified copy of the juvenile court order BLOCKING
Birth certificateWith certified translation where needed.
Evidence of the applicant's age at filing
Guardian or agency contact details for notices

Employment-based Employer-sponsored, after an I-140

The I-140 category and priority date drive everything. An I-864 is only involved where a relative filed the petition or owns a significant share of the employer.

Form I-140 approval or receipt notice
Evidence you meet the position's requirementsDegrees, transcripts, credential evaluation for foreign qualifications, licences, experience letters.
Evidence of maintained statusI-94s, approval notices, and pay records covering the whole period.
Consider Form I-485 Supplement JNeeded to confirm the job offer, or to port to a new employer after 180 days.
Derivative spouse and children documentedMarriage certificate and each child's birth certificate.

Diversity Visa lottery DV selectee adjusting inside the U.S.

The hardest deadline in immigration: the case must be approved by the end of the fiscal year, 30 September. An unapproved DV case simply expires.

DV selection notice and confirmation number
Proof the DV fee was paidPaid to the Department of State, separate from any USCIS fee.
High school diploma or qualifying work experience BLOCKING
Birth certificate and passport
Derivative spouse and children documentedThey must be approved by the same 30 September deadline.

Cuban Adjustment Act Cuban national, one year after admission or parole

A statute of its own: one year of presence after being inspected and admitted or paroled, no petition and no sponsor.

Evidence of Cuban nationalityPassport, birth certificate, or other national record.
Evidence of inspection and admission or parole BLOCKINGI-94 or parole document.
Evidence of one year's physical presenceDated records across the year.
Spouse or child applying with you: proof of the relationshipMarriage or birth certificate.

AOS-07Step 7 After filing

Biometrics, work permit, travel, and keeping the case healthy.

Two rules that break cases Do not travel outside the U.S. without the right travel document, and report every address change to USCIS within 10 days.

Attend the biometrics appointmentThe notice gives the date and Application Support Center. Bring the notice and photo ID.
Biometrics usually not required under 14 NOT REQUIREDTick to confirm. If a notice does arrive, attend it.
Work permit and travel document received, if requestedOften issued as one combo card.
No international travel without the right document BLOCKINGAdvance parole for most applicants; a refugee travel document for refugees and asylees. Leaving without one can end the case.
Report any address change within 10 daysForm AR-11 online, and update every pending case number.
Respond to any Request for Evidence by the deadline BLOCKINGSend everything asked for in one response, with the RFE notice on top. Missing the date is treated as abandonment.
Track the case in a USCIS online accountAdd every receipt number.

AOS-08Step 8 Interview and decision

The appointment, the approval, and what comes after.

Bring originals Everything filed as a copy should attend the interview as an original. Take your complete copy of the package as well.

Interview notice received and the date confirmedNot every case is interviewed, but plan as if it will be.
Originals of every document filed as a copyPassports, birth and marriage certificates, court records, approval notices.
Sponsor's original I-864 documents and latest tax returnOnly where an Affidavit of Support was required.
Marriage-based couples attend togetherBoth spouses are normally interviewed at the same appointment.
A parent or guardian attends with the child
Interpreter arranged if neededCheck the notice for what the office allows and who may interpret.
Decision receivedApproval, a Request for Evidence, or a notice of intent to deny. Each has its own deadline.
Green card arrives at the address on fileRefugees and asylees: residence is backdated, which brings the citizenship clock forward. Check the date on the card.
Apply for a Social Security number, if you do not have oneCan be requested on the I-485 itself.
Diary the I-751 date, if a conditional two-year card was issued BLOCKINGFiled in the 90 days before the second anniversary of approval.