I-485 Processing Time 2026
I-485 — Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
Typical processing time
9–16 months
Most cases land around 12 months. Ranges vary by service center, field office, and category.
Data snapshot as of July 2026 — check the official USCIS tool for your specific office and category.
What the I-485 is
The I-485 is the actual green card application for people already inside the United States. Approval of the I-485 means you become a lawful permanent resident.
Who files it: Spouses of U.S. citizens, family members with a current visa number, employment-based applicants with a current priority date, asylees/refugees after one year, and other eligible categories.
Why I-485 cases get delayed
- Interview scheduling at the local field office is the single biggest variable — some offices schedule in months, others take a year or more.
- Background and security checks can hold otherwise-complete cases.
- Medical exam (Form I-693) issues — expired or missing civil surgeon reports trigger RFEs.
- Visa retrogression can freeze employment-based and family-preference cases mid-process.
Practical tips for I-485 filers
- File the I-765 (work permit) and I-131 (travel document) together with the I-485 — they are fee-included for most adjustment applicants.
- Do not travel abroad without advance parole before approval; leaving can abandon the application.
- Keep your address current with USCIS (AR-11) — missed interview notices cause serious delays.
Waiting longer than 16 months?
If your receipt date is older than the official case inquiry date for your office, you can submit an “outside normal processing time” request. See how the case inquiry date works →