US Introduces Online Green Card Applications for Employment-Based Applicants

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced an online filing option for Form I-485 for certain employment-based applicants seeking to adjust their immigration status within the United States.

Form I-485 is used by foreign nationals already in the US to apply for lawful permanent residence, commonly known as a Green Card. It allows eligible individuals to complete the process without leaving the country for consular processing. The new online option is currently limited to specific employment-based categories and is intended to make filing more efficient. Paper submissions remain available.

As part of the updated process, applicants must still complete Form I-693, which records medical examinations and vaccination details carried out by a designated civil surgeon. Under the online system, applicants are required to open the sealed envelope containing the medical form and upload it electronically, while keeping the original document in case USCIS requests it later, including during interviews or as supporting evidence. 

In June 2025, USCIS updated its policy to require a new medical examination if a previous Form I-485 submission was withdrawn or denied. Applicants who choose to file by post will continue to follow the existing procedure, including submitting the sealed Form I-693 envelope. The introduction of online filing does not replace paper filing but offers an additional option.

The update also covers the process of “interfiling”, which allows applicants with a pending Form I-485 to change the underlying basis of their application. This is relevant for individuals in employment-based categories such as EB-2 and EB-3 who may seek to move between classifications depending on visa availability.

USCIS requires applicants to have a pending Form I-485, remain eligible, and meet the requirements of the new category, including having a current priority date.

Eligibility to file Form I-485 depends on being physically present in the United States and qualifying under an eligible immigrant category. 

Applicants may file as principal beneficiaries or as dependants, including spouses and unmarried children under 21. Certain protections apply under the Child Status Protection Act for individuals who age out during the process.

In most cases, applicants must wait until their immigrant petition has been approved and a visa number is available before filing. However, some categories allow concurrent filing of the immigrant petition and Form I-485 when visa numbers are immediately available.

Immigration practitioners have noted that while digital filing may improve access, online systems can experience technical issues, and applicants are advised to seek legal guidance when deciding how to submit their applications.

The introduction of online filing for Form I-485 forms part of a wider move towards digital immigration services in the United States.