MediumAlert/USCIS

USCIS Drops New I-485 Form Sept. 18 — Old Versions Rejected Immediately

August 19, 2026

Effective September 18, 2026

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If you're applying for a green card, your form has an expiration date. USCIS is releasing a new edition of Form I-485 on September 18, 2026 — and old versions will be rejected on the spot, with zero grace period. Here's what that means if you're planning to file soon.

USCIS is replacing Form I-485 (the core application to adjust status and become a permanent resident) on September 18, 2026. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) reported the announcement on August 19, 2026, noting that the new edition is being issued to align with a final rule on the public charge ground of inadmissibility — a legal standard used to determine whether someone is likely to become dependent on government assistance. There is no grace period: any I-485 postmarked or submitted online on or after September 18 using the old edition will be rejected outright.

Key Points

What: USCIS is publishing a new edition of Form I-485 (edition date 09/18/26), replacing the current 01/20/25 edition.
Who: Anyone filing to adjust status to permanent resident (green card applicants), including employment-based applicants on H-1B, F-1 OPT, or other visa paths.
When: The new form is required starting September 18, 2026 — no grace period.
Impact: Filing the wrong form version on or after September 18 means automatic rejection, resetting your place in line.

What's Changing and Why

According to USCIS's official alert (confirmed by AILA's reporting), the revisions are tied to a recently finalized Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility rule. The public charge section of the form is where applicants answer questions about past or anticipated use of public benefits. Boundless Immigration reported that most of the form remains unchanged, with revisions concentrated in that public charge section.

The current accepted edition is dated 01/20/25. Starting September 18, 2026:

USCIS will only accept the 09/18/26 edition.
The 01/20/25 edition will be rejected if postmarked or submitted electronically on or after that date.
There is no grace period — no second chances if you use the wrong version.

USCIS has published a preview of the new form and instructions ahead of the rollout so applicants can prepare.

Watch Out for Online Filing Timing

AILA flagged a critical technical detail for anyone filing online through myUSCIS: the system logs submission times in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), not your local time zone. If you're filing close to the September 18 cutoff, a few hours' difference between your local clock and UTC could mean your form is timestamped on the wrong date.

Additionally, online I-485 filings via myUSCIS are accepted as PDF uploads only — meaning processing takes longer than a standard online form. Don't wait until the last minute if you plan to file before the switch.

What You Should Do

If you plan to file before September 18: Use the current 01/20/25 edition, submit well before the deadline, and avoid cutting it close if filing online due to the UTC time zone issue.
If you plan to file on or after September 18: Download and use only the new 09/18/26 edition of Form I-485, available as a preview on USCIS.gov now.
Check your preparer or attorney: If someone else is assembling your package, confirm they're using the correct edition for your intended filing date.
Do not assume a grace period exists. USCIS has been explicit: old editions will be rejected immediately with no exceptions announced.

Official Source

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