Adjustment of Status (AOS) is the process that allows individuals already in the United States to apply for lawful permanent resident status (a Green Card) without having to return to their home country. This process is particularly important for immigrant families seeking to stabilize their immigration status and stay together in the U.S.
To qualify for Adjustment of Status under a family-based immigration category in 2025, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Properly file Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status).
Have been inspected and admitted or paroled into the United States.
Be physically present in the U.S. at the time of filing the I-485.
Be eligible to receive an immigrant visa.
Not be subject to any applicable bars to adjustment.
Be admissible to the U.S. for permanent residence or qualify for a waiver.
Merit favorable discretion by USCIS, meaning the positive factors in the case outweigh the negatives.
Each month, the U.S. Department of State publishes a Visa Bulletin with filing dates for adjustment of status. For June 2025, the filing dates for family-based preference categories are:
F1 (Unmarried sons/daughters of U.S. citizens): September 1, 2017
F2A (Spouses and children of permanent residents): February 1, 2025
F2B (Unmarried sons/daughters over 21 of permanent residents): January 1, 2017
F3 (Married sons/daughters of U.S. citizens): July 22, 2012
F4 (Siblings of U.S. citizens): June 1, 2008
Processing times can vary depending on the service center and the case type. As of 2025, the estimated USCIS processing times are:
Form I-485 (Family-based AOS): Approx. 9.5 months
Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative): Varies by category, e.g., ~14.3 months for spouses of U.S. citizens filing from abroad
Form I-693: As of December 2, 2024, USCIS requires that the medical exam form (I-693) be submitted with the I-485, or the application may be rejected.
Form I-485 Edition: Only the January 20, 2025 edition of the form will be accepted starting April 3, 2025. Always use the latest version to avoid delays or rejections.