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Form I-485 Supplement A: Supplement A to Form I-485, Adjustment of Status Under Section 245(i)
USCIS Form I-485 Supplement A is used by individuals who are eligible to adjust their immigration status to permanent resident under Section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This supplement must be filed with the main Form I-485 when the applicant qualifies for the 245(i) benefits due to a qualifying petition or labor certification filed on their behalf before specific deadlines.
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USCIS Form I-485 Supplement A - Supplement A to Form I-485, Adjustment of Status Under Section 245(i)
USCIS Form I-485 Supplement A is used by individuals who are eligible to adjust their immigration status to permanent resident under Section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This supplement must be filed with the main Form I-485 when the applicant qualifies for the 245(i) benefits due to a qualifying petition or labor certification filed on their behalf before specific deadlines.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Missing or incorrect information about the qualifying petition or labor certification can permanently jeopardize your 245(i) eligibility and adjustment of status application.
- 2Incorrectly identifying the qualifying petition or labor certification basis for 245(i) eligibility
- 3Failing to provide adequate proof of the qualifying petition's timely filing before April 30, 2001
- 4Missing the requirement to demonstrate physical presence in the U.S. on December 21, 2000
- 5Incomplete documentation of the relationship between the applicant and the qualifying petition
Plain English
Form I-485 Supplement A helps certain people who entered or stayed in the U.S. without legal status but have an approved family or work petition filed for them before April 30, 2001. It allows these individuals to apply for a green card without leaving the country, even if they may have other immigration violations. This special provision exists because of a law change that gave some people a second chance to get their permanent residency.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Form I-485 Supplement A must be filed concurrently with the main Form I-485 application when submitting for adjustment of status under Section 245(i). There is no separate filing deadline for the supplement itself, but the entire application package must be submitted according to the general Form I-485 processing times and visa bulletin availability.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use this form when you are eligible for adjustment of status under Section 245(i) based on a qualifying petition or labor certification filed before April 30, 2001
- Do not use this form if you are adjusting status based on immediate relative status, diversity visa, or other provisions not related to 245(i)
- Check Form I-485 instructions to confirm whether Supplement A is required for your specific situation
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Eligible under regular adjustment without 245(i)
Supplement A not needed
✓ Confirm eligibility basis before filing
Adjusting status through consular processing
Different forms required for overseas processing
✓ Verify correct filing path
Seeking adjustment based on different provision
Different supplements apply to different eligibility categories
✓ Review all potential eligibility bases
Deadline or filing window
Form I-485 Supplement A must be filed concurrently with the main Form I-485 application; there is no separate deadline for the supplement itself. However, the entire application package must be submitted according to visa bulletin availability for the applicant's priority date. Late filing may result in denial, especially if the applicant's priority date is no longer current. Always check the latest visa bulletin before filing to ensure eligibility.
- —Petition Priority Date | Current Date - Priority Date | Days since priority date | Check if priority date is current before filing
- —Continuous Presence Start Date | Current Date - Last Entry Date | Days of continuous presence | Verify continuous presence meets requirements for 245(i)
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Section A (Qualifying Petition Information)
Approval notice of qualifying petition · Petition approval documents
Section A (Labor Certification Information)
PERM labor certification approval · Employer files with DOL
Section B (Physical Presence Information)
Evidence of presence on Dec 21, 2000 · School records, employment records, utility bills
Section C (Relationship to Petitioner)
Proof of relationship to petitioner · Family records, marriage certificates
Personal History
Complete immigration history · Previous I-94 records, visas, entry stamps
Before you submit
- 1Verify that you have a qualifying petition or labor certification filed before April 30, 2001
- 2Collect and organize all approval notices for the qualifying petition or labor certification
- 3Confirm your continuous presence in the U.S. since December 21, 2000, if applicable
- 4Complete both Form I-485 and Form I-485 Supplement A fully and accurately
- 5Include all required supporting documents for both forms
- 6Pay the correct Form I-485 filing fee (no additional fee for Supplement A)
- 7Make copies of the entire application package before mailing
- 8Use the correct mailing address based on your location as specified in Form I-485 instructions
- 9Consider consulting with an immigration attorney if you have complex immigration history
How to file this form
- 1Complete Form I-485 and Form I-485 Supplement A with accurate information
- 2Gather all required supporting documents, including proof of qualifying petition or labor certification
- 3Prepare payment for the Form I-485 filing fee (money order or check payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
- 4Mail the complete application package to the appropriate USCIS lockbox facility as specified in Form I-485 instructions
- 5Wait for biometrics appointment notice after receiving receipt notice
- 6Attend biometrics appointment as scheduled
- 7Respond promptly to any Requests for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS
- 8Await decision on your adjustment of status application
Known limitations
- 1Form I-485 Supplement A only applies to those qualifying under Section 245(i) and does not create eligibility on its own
- 2The supplement does not waive other grounds of inadmissibility that may still apply to the applicant
- 3USCIS may deny the application if the applicant is found to be ineligible for 245(i) benefits based on the information provided
- 4The supplement does not guarantee approval of the adjustment of status application
- 5Applicants must still meet all other requirements for adjustment of status outlined in Form I-485
- 6The supplement does not provide any special protection from removal proceedings while the application is pending
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Petitioner Info
3 items
Your current legal name as it appears on your Green Card or U.S. passport.
Your date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY).
Your Green Card number (A-Number) if a permanent resident, or USCIS online account number.
Beneficiary Info
3 items
Full legal name of the relative you are petitioning for.
Date of birth of the relative (MM/DD/YYYY).
Alien Registration Number of the beneficiary if previously assigned.
Relationship
1 items
Select the qualifying relationship: spouse, unmarried child under 21, unmarried child over 21, married child, parent, or sibling.
Evidence
1 items
List of documents establishing the qualifying relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.).
Signatures
2 items
Your signature certifying all information is correct under penalty of perjury.
Date you signed the form (MM/DD/YYYY).
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->As of the latest available information, USCIS is currently processing Form I-485 Supplement A as part of the adjustment of status application. Applicants should check the USCIS processing times for their specific field office and visa category for current estimates. The form itself has not been recently revised, but applicants should always verify they are using the most current version available on the USCIS website.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date: Confirm using the version dated 10/31/2019 or later
- Fee: $0 (no separate fee for Supplement A, included in Form I-485 fee)
- Mailing address: Check Form I-485 instructions for current lockbox address
- Biometrics: Required, scheduled after filing
- Processing location: Varies by applicant's location and visa category
- Processing time: Check current USCIS processing times for Form I-485
Quick Facts
After you file
- 1Keep a complete copy of your filed application package for your records
- 2Monitor your mail for the biometrics appointment notice and USCIS communications
- 3Attend the biometrics appointment as scheduled
- 4Respond promptly to any Requests for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS
- 5Keep track of your case status using your receipt number on the USCIS website
- 6Notify USCIS of any address change using Form AR-11
- 7Maintain your legal status in the U.S. while the application is pending
- 8Consult with an immigration attorney if you receive a denial notice
Sources
- SRCForm I-485 Supplement A is specifically for those adjusting status under Section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
- SRCThe supplement must be filed concurrently with Form I-485, not separately
- SRCQualifying basis includes petitions filed before April 30, 2001, or physical presence in the U.S. on December 21, 2000, and continuously since then
- SRCNo separate filing fee is required for Form I-485 Supplement A
- SRCThe supplement requires detailed information about the qualifying petition or labor certification
- SRCCurrent edition date is 10/31/2019 (as of latest available information)
- SRCProcessing location varies based on applicant's location and visa category
- SRCBiometrics appointment is required after filing
- SRCForm I-485 Supplement A does not create eligibility on its own, only allows those already eligible under 245(i) to adjust status
Common confusion points
Who qualifies for 245(i)
Confusion about qualifying dates and petition requirements
→ Review the specific eligibility criteria in Section 245(i) of the INA
When to file the supplement
Uncertainty about concurrent filing requirement
→ File Supplement A only with Form I-485, not separately
What evidence to include
Confusion about documentation requirements
→ Include all approval notices and proof of timely filing
Fee payment
Misunderstanding about additional fees for Supplement A
→ No separate fee, included in Form I-485 fee
Physical presence requirements
Uncertainty about continuous presence timeline
→ Maintain documentation of presence since Dec 21, 2000
Relationship to petitioner
Confusion about qualifying family or employer relationships
→ Provide clear documentation of relationship
Processing times
Misunderstanding about how long the process takes
→ Check current USCIS processing times for estimates
Workflow map
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