Instructions For Application To Register Permanent Residence Or Adjust Status (Form I-485) (Page 3 of 42) in pdf

If you would like more information on how to file under any of these categories, call the National Customer Service

Center at 1-800-375-5283. For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) call: 1-800-767-1833 or visit

other-ways-get-green-card.

Who May Not Be Eligible to Adjust Status?

Bars to Adjustment of Status

You are generally ineligible for adjustment of status if one or more adjustment bars in INA sections 245(a), (c), (d),

and/or (e) apply to you. However, adjustment bars do not apply to every type of immigrant category and your category

might exempt you from certain adjustment bars. For example, certain adjustment bars do not apply to immediate relatives

of U.S. citizens, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)-based applicants, or certain special immigrants. In addition, some

employment-based applicants might be eligible for an exemption to some adjustment bars. For more information, visit

green-card-processes-and-procedures/adjustment-status.

Exception Under INA section 245(i)

You may be able to adjust status under INA section 245(i) even if you are subject to one or more adjustment bars and are

therefore ineligible for adjustment of status under INA section 245(a). See separate instructions for adjusting status under

INA section 245(i), titled “Instructions for Supplement A to Form I-485, Adjustment of Status Under Section 245(i).”

INA section 245(i) is not an immigrant category by itself. In order to adjust status using INA section 245(i), you must be

eligible for an immigrant visa under a family-based, employment-based, special immigrant, or Diversity Visa category.

You must select one of the immigrant categories listed in Part 2., Item Numbers 1.a. - 1.g. as the basis for your

application for adjustment of status. See the Additional Instructions for more information on your specific immigrant

category.

Grounds of Inadmissibility

Immigration laws specify acts, conditions, and conduct that can make foreign nationals ineligible for lawful permanent

resident status. These acts, conditions, and conduct are outlined in INA section 212(a) and are called grounds of

inadmissibility. For more information, visit

green-card-processes-and-procedures/green-

card-eligibility.

You are inadmissible to the United States and may not adjust status to a lawful permanent resident if you fall under one

or more of the grounds of inadmissibility that apply to your immigrant category. Depending on your immigrant category,

some grounds may not apply to you.

If you are inadmissible, you may be eligible for a waiver of the ground of inadmissibility or another form of relief. If your

waiver application or other form of relief is granted, your application to adjust status may be approved.

Exchange Visitors

If you are or were a J-1 or J-2 nonimmigrant exchange visitor and are subject to the 2-year foreign residence requirement

of INA section 212(e), you may not apply to adjust status unless you have complied with the foreign residence

requirement, have been granted a waiver of that requirement, or were issued a favorable waiver recommendation letter

from U.S. Department of State (DOS).

Certain A, G, and E Nonimmigrants

If you have A, G, or E nonimmigrant status, or an occupation that would entitle you to such status, and as a result hold

certain diplomatic rights, privileges, exemptions, and immunities, you are ineligible for adjustment of status unless you

submit a waiver of those rights, privileges, exemptions, and immunities.

Form I-485 Instructions 06/26/17 N

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Instructions For Application To Register Permanent Residence Or Adjust Status (Form I-485) Page 3