USCIS Updates Form I-485 Starting September 18, 2026: No Grace Period

Starting September 18, 2026, USCIS will introduce a revised edition of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. The new edition, dated September 18, 2026, will replace the current edition dated January 20, 2025.

One of the most important aspects of this update is that USCIS will not provide a grace period for accepting the revised edition of Form I-485.

Why Is USCIS Updating Form I-485?

According to USCIS, Form I-485 has been revised to align with the recently announced Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility Final Rule.

As a result, the revised edition of the form will take effect on September 18, 2026.

What Does “No Grace Period” Mean?

If you are preparing to file Form I-485, it is important to pay close attention to both the edition date of the form and the filing date.

USCIS has provided the following rules:

• USCIS will accept the January 20, 2025 edition of Form I-485 if it is postmarked or electronically submitted before September 18, 2026;

• USCIS will reject the January 20, 2025 edition if it is postmarked or electronically submitted on or after September 18, 2026;

• USCIS will only accept the September 18, 2026 edition if it is postmarked or electronically submitted on or after September 18, 2026;

• the new edition must not be filed before September 18, 2026.

  
  

In other words, the current edition must be filed before September 18, while the revised edition can only be filed beginning September 18, 2026.

Can You View the New Form I-485 Now?

Yes. USCIS has already made a preview version of the new Form I-485 and its instructions available so that applicants can review the changes in advance.

To find it, go to the official Form I-485 webpage on the USCIS website and open the Special Instructions section.

Look for the following line: “See a preview version of the new Form I-485”. There, you can access the preview version of Form I-485 as well as its instructions. However, it is important to remember that the availability of a preview version does not mean that the new edition can already be filed. USCIS specifically states that the September 18, 2026 edition should not be filed before September 18, 2026.

What Should Applicants Keep in Mind?

If you are preparing Form I-485 for filing during this transition, make sure to check both the edition date of the form and the filing date before submission.

This is particularly important because there is no grace period. If the January 20, 2025 edition is postmarked or electronically submitted on or after September 18, 2026, USCIS will reject it.

Reviewing the preview version of the new form and its instructions in advance can help you prepare for the changes that will take effect on September 18, 2026.

⚖️ This information is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.