Benefits, Process, Timeline & What’s New

Thinking about applying for a Green Card from inside the U.S.? Adjustment of Status (AOS) lets eligible people already in the United States apply to become lawful permanent residents without returning to their home country. Below is a practical, plain-language guide to the benefits, steps, typical timelines, recent rule changes (including the new civics test), current filing fee for Adjustment of Status, and tips to help your application run more smoothly.

Top benefits of Adjustment of Status

• Stay in the U.S. while USCIS decides your case (no mandatory consular trip).
• Apply for a work permit while your application is pending so you can legally work.
• Apply for advance parole to travel and return without abandoning your application (if approved).
• When approved, you receive permanent resident status (a “green card”) with rights to live and work permanently in the U.S.

Basic AOS process — step by step

1. Determine eligibility. Common bases: immediate relative of a U.S. citizen (spouse/parent/child), certain employment-based categories, special immigrant categories, asylum/refugee pathways, and others. See USCIS guidance for your category.
2. File required forms. The core USCIS form is Adjustment of Status (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status). Many applicants file supporting forms at the same time ( if a family petition is required, for work authorization, for travel).
3. Biometrics appointment. USCIS schedules fingerprinting and background checks.
4. Request for Evidence (if issued). Respond quickly and fully if USCIS asks for more documents.
5. Interview (if required). Most family-based applicants will attend an interview.
6. Decision & green card issuance. If approved, USCIS mails your permanent resident card.

Typical timeline

Processing times vary significantly by eligibility category and the service center or field office handling the case. USCIS publishes up-to-date processing-time estimates you should check for your specific form and location; median and 80% completion metrics are posted online. Expect a wide range — many family-based AOS filings finish in roughly several months to a couple of years depending on visa availability, local caseloads, and whether USCIS issues RFE(s) or schedules interviews. Always check USCIS processing times for the most current estimate.

Fees — the current filing fee for Adjustment of Status

As of the most recent USCIS Fee Schedule, the standard filing fee for Form I-485 for applicants age 14 or older is $1,440 (use USCIS’s Fee Calculator / Fee Schedule to confirm your exact amount and any additional fees that may apply to your category). USCIS updated fees in 2024–2025; fee rules (and additional statutory fees) can change, so always verify on USCIS’s fee page or Form G-1055 before filing. 

Important recent change: the 2025 civics (naturalization) test

USCIS has announced a revised naturalization civics test to be implemented in 2025. The new format draws on the 2020/2025 civics test bank and increases the number of possible questions applicants study from the older 100-question pool to 128 questions, and the oral test will ask up to 20 questions — you must correctly answer 12 to pass (applicants who file for adjustment of status on or after the implementation date will take the new test). If you plan to naturalize after adjusting and want citizenship later, be aware of this change and begin studying the new 128-question bank when preparing for naturalization. 

Practical tips to avoid delays

• Complete your packet carefully. Missing documents or incorrect fees are common reasons for rejection or delay. Use USCIS’s checklists and instructions.
• File supporting early if you need work authorization or travel permission — they can be filed concurrently but may now require separate fees.
• Respond promptly to RFEs. Provide clear, certified copies when requested.
• Keep records of mailing and cover letters so you have proof of timely filing and what you provided.
• Use the USCIS Fee Calculator and processing-times page before filing to confirm fees and likely wait times.

When to get professional help

Adjustment of Status can be straightforward for some immediate-relative cases but complicated for others (waivers, prior immigration violations, criminal records, or public-charge concerns). Khan Paralegal & Notary can help prepare, organize, and file forms and supporting documents, order certified translations, and manage filing logistics. For complex legal questions (inadmissibility, waivers, criminal issues), consult a licensed immigration attorney.

Disclaimer: Khan Paralegal & Notary is not an attorney and does not provide legal advice. This blog is for informational purposes only. If you need legal advice about your eligibility, admissibility, or complicated issues, please consult a licensed immigration attorney.