USCIS Rejecting Without RFE: New Form I-485 Edition Required Starting Sept. 18, 2026

USCIS has announced the upcoming release of a new edition of Form I-485, the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. The agency confirmed that starting September 18, 2026, any application submitted on an older edition of the form will be rejected upon receipt — no Request for Evidence (RFE) or grace period will be offered. For EB-3 applicants currently in the adjustment of status process or preparing to file, this deadline is critical. Form I-485 is the primary form used by employment-based green card applicants to complete their final step of obtaining lawful permanent residence while inside the United States. Filing on an outdated edition is among the most avoidable reasons for rejection. USCIS periodically revises its forms to reflect policy updates, revised instructions, or changes in required information. Although the specific changes in this new edition were not detailed in the announcement, applicants should download the most current version directly from the USCIS website as of the publication date to ensure compliance. Immigration attorneys and applicants are advised to verify the edition date printed at the bottom of the form before submitting any package. Law firms managing pending cases should audit their draft filings immediately to confirm they are using the correct edition prior to the September 18 cutoff.