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How to Download the Green Card Form

If you want to live and work permanently in the United States, you need a green card. A green card is a document that proves your immigration status and allows you to enjoy many benefits, such as access to education, health care, and social security. But how do you get a green card? And how do you download the green card form? In this article, we will answer these questions and more.

Green Card Eligibility Categories

Before you can apply for a green card, you need to determine if you are eligible. There are different categories of eligibility, depending on your relationship to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, your skills, your background, or your humanitarian situation. Some of the most common categories are:

• Family-based: If you are the spouse, child, parent, or sibling of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Employment-based: If you have a job offer from a U.S. employer or have exceptional abilities in your field
• Diversity lottery: If you are from a country with low immigration rates to the U.S.
• Refugee or asylee: If you have been persecuted or fear persecution in your home country
• Other special categories: If you are a victim of human trafficking, domestic violence, or crime, or if you have served in the U.S. military

To find out which category you belong to and what are the requirements, you can visit the Green Card Eligibility Categories page on the USCIS website.

Green Card Application Process

Once you know your eligibility category, you can start the application process. The process involves two main steps:

1. Filing an immigrant petition with USCIS or another agency
2. Filing a green card application with USCIS or the U.S. Department of State

An immigrant petition is a form that requests USCIS or another agency to classify you as eligible for a green card. Usually, someone else has to file the petition for you, such as your family member, employer, or humanitarian organization. However, in some cases, you may be able to file for yourself.

A green card application is a form that requests USCIS or the U.S. Department of State to grant you permanent residence. You can file this form after your immigrant petition is approved and there is a visa available in your category.

The way you file these forms depends on whether you are inside or outside the U.S.

Adjustment of Status

If you are already in the U.S., you can apply for a green card through adjustment of status. This means that you can change your status from nonimmigrant (such as visitor, student, or worker) to immigrant (permanent resident) without leaving the country.

To apply for adjustment of status, you need to file Form I- 485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, with USCIS. You can file this form together with your immigrant petition (if you are eligible for concurrent filing) or after your immigrant petition is approved (if you are not eligible for concurrent filing). You also need to submit supporting documents and evidence, such as your identity, your immigration history, your medical examination, and your biometrics.

Consular Processing

If you are outside the U.S., you can apply for a green card through consular processing. This means that you have to go to a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country or another country where you have permission to reside and apply for an immigrant visa. An immigrant visa is a document that allows you to enter the U.S. as a permanent resident.

To apply for consular processing, you need to wait for the National Visa Center (NVC) to contact you after your immigrant petition is approved and there is a visa available in your category. The NVC will ask you to submit your visa application, supporting documents, and fees online. Then, you will have to attend an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate and undergo a medical examination. If your visa is approved, you will receive a visa packet that you have to present at the U.S. port of entry.

Green Card Form I-485

Form I-485 is the main form that you need to file if you want to apply for a green card through adjustment of status. It is also known as the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. This form asks for information about your identity, your eligibility category, your immigration history, your family members, your criminal record, and your health.

Form I-485 is a 20-page form that consists of 18 parts. You have to fill out all the parts that apply to you and sign the form under penalty of perjury. You also have to pay a filing fee of $1,225 ($1,140 for the form and $85 for biometrics) unless you qualify for a fee waiver.

Form I-485 Instructions

To help you fill out Form I-485 correctly, you can follow these instructions:

1. Download the latest version of Form I-485 from the USCIS website or get it by mail, phone, or in person (see below).
2. Read the instructions carefully and gather all the required documents and evidence.
3. Type or print legibly in black ink.
4. Answer all the questions truthfully and completely. If a question does not apply to you, write “N/A” (not applicable) or “None”. Do not leave any blank spaces.
5. If you need more space to answer a question, use a separate sheet of paper and write your name, alien registration number (A-number), and the page number, part number, and item number of the question.
6. Attach all the supporting documents and evidence that prove your eligibility for a green card. Use paper clips or staples to secure them to the form.
7. Sign and date the form in Part 17. If someone else helped you fill out the form, they have to sign and date it in Part 18.
8. Make a copy of the entire package for your records.
9. Mail the original package to the correct USCIS address according to your eligibility category and filing location.

Form I-485 Checklist

To make sure that you have everything you need to file Form I-485, you can use this checklist:

• A completed and signed Form I-485
• A copy of your birth certificate or other proof of identity
• A copy of your passport or other travel document
• A copy of your nonimmigrant visa (if applicable)
• A copy of your admission stamp or Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record
• A copy of your approved immigrant petition or other proof of eligibility
• A copy of your marriage certificate or other proof of relationship (if applicable)
• A copy of any prior green card applications or denials (if applicable)
• A copy of any criminal records or court documents (if applicable)
• A copy of any waivers or exemptions (if applicable)
• A Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, sealed in an envelope by a designated civil surgeon (unless you are exempt)
• A Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, completed by your sponsor (if applicable)
• A Form G-325A, Biographic Information Sheet, completed by you and your spouse (if applicable)
• A Form G-1145 , E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance, attached to the first page of the form (if you want to receive an email or text message when USCIS accepts your form)
• A check or money order for the filing fee of $1,225 ($1,140 for the form and $85 for biometrics) payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (unless you qualify for a fee waiver)
• Two passport-style color photos with your name and A-number written lightly in pencil on the back

How to Download the Green Card Form

Now that you know what Form I-485 is and how to fill it out, you may wonder how to download it. There are several ways to get Form I-485 and other related forms, such as Form I-693, Form I-864, and Form G-325A. Here are some of the options:

USCIS Website

The easiest and fastest way to download the green card form is to visit the USCIS website. You can access and download all the forms you need for free from the Forms page. You can also find the instructions, filing addresses, and other information related to each form on the same page.

To download the green card form from the USCIS website, you need to have a computer or a mobile device with an internet connection and a PDF reader software. You can follow these steps:

1. Go to the Forms page on the USCIS website.
2. Find Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, on the list of forms or use the search box to type the form number or name.
3. Click on the form number or name to open the form page.
4. Click on the “Form I-485” link under “Edition Date” to open the PDF file of the form.
5. Save the file on your device or print it out.
6. Repeat the same steps for any other forms that you need.

Other Sources

If you cannot access or download the green card form from the USCIS website, you can also get it by mail, phone, or in person. Here are some of the alternatives:

• By mail: You can request USCIS to mail you a paper copy of Form I-485 and other forms by filling out an online request form on the Forms by Mail page. You need to provide your name, mailing address, email address, phone number, and the form number or name. You can expect to receive your forms within 10 business days.
• By phone: You can call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833) and ask for Form I-485 and other forms to be mailed to you. You need to provide your name, mailing address, phone number, and the form number or name. You can expect to receive your forms within 10 business days.
• In person: You can visit a local USCIS office and pick up Form I-485 and other forms in person. You need to make an appointment online through the InfoPass system before you go. You can find your nearest USCIS office by using the USCIS Office Locator.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explained how to download the green card form. We have covered what a green card is, what are the eligibility categories, what is the application process, what is Form I-485, how to fill it out, and how to get it from different sources. We hope that this article has been helpful and informative for you.

If you are ready to apply for a green card, you can start by downloading Form I-485 and other related forms from the USCIS website or other sources. You can also consult an immigration lawyer or a reputable online service provider if you need any assistance or guidance with your application. Remember that applying for a green card is a serious and complex matter that requires careful preparation and attention to detail. Good luck with your green card journey!

FAQs

Here are some of the frequently asked questions and answers about downloading the green card form:

1. How long does it take to process Form I-485?
   The processing time for Form I-485 varies depending on your eligibility category, your filing location, and the workload of USC IS. You can check the current processing time for your form on the USCIS Processing Time Information page. You can also check the status of your case online by using the Case Status Online tool.
2. How can I avoid mistakes or delays in my Form I-485?
   The best way to avoid mistakes or delays in your Form I-485 is to follow the instructions carefully and provide complete and accurate information. You should also make sure that you submit all the required documents and evidence, pay the correct fee, sign and date the form, and mail it to the right address. If you need any help or clarification, you can contact USCIS or seek professional advice.
3. Can I travel or work while my Form I-485 is pending?
   If you want to travel or work while your Form I-485 is pending, you need to apply for a travel document (Form I-131, Application for Travel Document) or a work permit (Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization) separately. You can file these forms together with your Form I-485 or after you receive a receipt notice from USCIS. You should not travel or work without these documents, as it may affect your eligibility for a green card or cause other problems.
4. What if my Form I-485 is denied?
   If your Form I-485 is denied, you will receive a notice from USCIS explaining the reasons for the denial and your options to appeal or file a motion to reopen or reconsider. You should read the notice carefully and act within the time limit specified. You may also want to consult an immigration lawyer or a reputable online service provider to review your case and advise you on the best course of action.
5. How much does it cost to download the green card form?
   It does not cost anything to download the green card form from the USCIS website or other sources. However, you have to pay a filing fee of $1,225 ($1,140 for the form and $85 for biometrics) when you submit your Form I-485 to USCIS. You may also have to pay additional fees for other forms, such as Form I-131, Form I-765, Form I-693, and Form I-864. You can find the fee information for each form on the USCIS website.

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