Atlas · Immigration processes by conversation
Form I-485: adjustment of status, explained
Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) is how an eligible person who is already in the U.S. asks for permanent residence — a Green Card — without leaving the country. That is called adjustment of status.
Do this process by talking to Atlas
Green Card (adjustment of status) · I-485
$99 · one-time
Start with a few short questions. If Atlas can prepare your case, one payment unlocks the full interview and final preparation. Government fees are separate.
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AtlasI’m in the U.S. and I want my Green Card.
I can help you prepare your I-485 adjustment of status. First, a few short questions to see if your case is one Atlas prepares.
Educational information. Atlas is not USCIS or a law firm, does not give legal advice and does not guarantee results. USCIS: Form I-485, instructions and current notices.
Adjustment of status or consular processing
If you are inside the U.S. and meet the requirements of a category, you may ask for permanent residence with Form I-485. If you are outside, residence is usually processed at a consulate. Many people reach the I-485 after a family petition (Form I-130).
Confirm the basis of your application first
Being in the U.S. or having a family petition does not by itself show you can adjust status; your category, visa availability when it applies and your history can change the analysis. If you have doubts about an entry, a period without status or a sensitive answer, talk to a qualified professional.
What Atlas does — and what it does not
Atlas asks you the questions in a conversation, keeps your history consistent and prepares the form in English with a document checklist and filing instructions. It does not include the government fee or legal representation, and it is not an approval.
Documents: a guide to get organized
These are groups of information to review, not an exhaustive list. The current official instructions decide the evidence for your case.
- Identity, birth and entry documents that apply to your category.
- Notices and documents supporting the basis of your application.
- Additional evidence the current instructions require, including medical or financial requirements when they apply.
Atlas price and government fees
Preparing a I-485 case with Atlas costs $99 USD, one-time per case, no subscription. Start with a few short questions. If Atlas can prepare your case, one payment unlocks the full interview and final preparation. Government fees are separate.
The payment covers the full interview with Atlas, English translations of your answers, your document checklist, instructions to sign and file, a final review and the prepared PDF. USCIS fees are paid separately — check the current fee in the USCIS fee calculator. Refund policy.
Frequently asked questions
Are Forms I-130 and I-485 the same process?
No. Form I-130 establishes a family relationship; Form I-485 asks to adjust status. They can be related but are not interchangeable.
Does Atlas decide if I can adjust status?
No. Atlas is preparation software. Eligibility depends on the facts and the law; USCIS decides on the application.
Official resources
Keep preparing your information
Related guide (in Spanish): Cómo organizar un expediente I-485 antes de presentarlo
Compare the five immigration processes · How Atlas works · Tourist visa (B1/B2)
Do it by talking to Atlas
Start with a few short questions. If Atlas can prepare your case, one payment unlocks the full interview and final preparation. Government fees are separate.
Talk to Atlas