If you’re applying for a green card through adjustment of status, the rules changed significantly in 2026. USCIS rolled out major updates to Form I-485 that affect how you file, what you include, and how you pay. Filing the way you would have even a year ago could get your application rejected outright. Here’s what changed and what you need to do about it.
Your Medical Exam Now Goes in the Initial Filing
This is the biggest change. Previously, many applicants filed their I-485 first and submitted Form I-693 (the immigration medical exam) later, often in response to a Request for Evidence from USCIS. That option is gone.
As of December 2, 2024, USCIS requires most adjustment of status applicants to include a completed Form I-693 with their initial I-485 submission. If you don’t, USCIS may reject your entire application package.
That means you need to schedule your appointment with a USCIS-designated civil surgeon before you’re ready to file, not after. The civil surgeon will give you a completed I-693 in a sealed envelope. Do not open that envelope. Submit it sealed with your I-485. Plan ahead — appointments can take weeks, and certain vaccinations may require multiple visits.
One more thing to know: as of June 11, 2025, the I-693 is only valid for the specific application it was submitted with. If your I-485 is denied or withdrawn, that medical exam cannot be reused for a future filing. You would need to complete a new exam.
COVID-19 Vaccination Is No Longer Required
As of January 22, 2025, USCIS waived the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all adjustment of status applicants. Civil surgeons no longer need to document COVID-19 vaccination status on the I-693. USCIS will not issue any Request for Evidence or Notice of Intent to Deny based on missing COVID-19 vaccination documentation, and this applies retroactively to pending applications as well.
All other required vaccinations — including measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, and others recommended by the CDC — still apply.
Separate Payments for Each Form
USCIS now requires separate payments for each form you file. If you submit one combined payment for your I-485, I-765 (work permit), and I-131 (travel document), USCIS may reject the entire package. Each form needs its own payment.
There’s another layer to this. As of October 29, 2025, USCIS no longer accepts paper checks or money orders for most filings. You’ll need to pay electronically using Form G-1450 (credit or debit card) or Form G-1650 (ACH bank transfer). Exemption requests can be made using Form G-1651.
Your I-130 Must Declare AOS or Consular Processing
If you’re filing a marriage-based green card, your Form I-130 petition now requires you to select one option: adjustment of status within the United States or consular processing at a U.S. embassy abroad. You cannot select both, and you cannot leave it blank. If you do, USCIS will route the petition at its own discretion — and that may not match your intentions. Make this decision with your attorney before you file.
New Public Charge and Financial Questions
The revised I-485 includes updated questions about public charge inadmissibility. Applicants must now specify their immigrant category on the form, which helps USCIS determine whether public charge exemptions apply. The form also integrates the Request for Exemption from the Affidavit of Support (previously a separate Form I-864W) directly into the I-485.
Form Edition Dates Matter
USCIS released the 01/20/25 edition of Form I-485, and as of April 3, 2025, it is the only accepted edition. Submitting an older version will result in rejection. Check the edition date at the bottom of every page before you file, and make sure all pages come from the same edition. This sounds like a small detail, but USCIS will reject applications with mismatched or outdated pages.
What This Means for You
These changes add more steps to the front end of the process but should reduce delays caused by incomplete filings. The key takeaway: preparation matters more than ever. Schedule your medical exam early. Use the correct form edition. Pay separately for each form. And work with an immigration attorney who stays current on these procedural changes.
If you have questions about filing your I-485 or need help navigating these new requirements, contact the Law Office of Matthew W. Peterson at 617-295-7500 to schedule a consultation. We represent people and families throughout Eastern Massachusetts and can help you get your application right the first time.
Sources:
USCIS Waives COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Adjustment of Status Applicants
- USCIS Vaccination Requirements
- USCIS Now Requires Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record to be Submitted with Form I-485 for Certain Applicants
- I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record
- USCIS Changes Validity Period for Any Form I-693 Signed on or after Nov. 1, 2023
- Frequently Asked Questions on the USCIS Fee Rule
- I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
- G-1450
- G-1651
