I-485 processing time (2026)
Green Card (Adjustment of Status)
Current national processing time
8 to 24 months
Employment-based · reported range · Manifest Law
as of July 2026Source: manifestlaw.com
Form I-485 is how someone already in the United States applies for a green card (lawful permanent residence) without leaving the country. Processing time varies a lot by category (employment-based vs family-based) and by the office handling the case.
What the sources say
We show every source we have, with its date. Trackers report different statistics (a median versus a reported range), so the numbers can differ. That transparency is the point.
| Category | Figure | Basis | As of | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment-based | 7 months | median | July 2026 | Boundless |
| Employment-based | 8 to 24 months | range | July 2026 | Manifest Law |
| Family-based | 8.2 months | median | July 2026 | Boundless |
By USCIS office
Where a case is processed changes the wait. Office-level figures for I-485, dated and sourced.
Estimate your I-485 timeline
Enter your filing (receipt) date. We apply the current Green Card (Adjustment of Status) range of 8 to 24 months to estimate a completion window.
Common questions
- How long does I-485 take?
- As of July 2026, the I-485 (Green Card (Adjustment of Status)) processing time is 8 to 24 months, per Manifest Law. Times change monthly; check the current figure and your case status.
- What is I-485?
- Form I-485 is how someone already in the United States applies for a green card (lawful permanent residence) without leaving the country. Processing time varies a lot by category (employment-based vs family-based) and by the office handling the case.
- Why do I-485 processing times vary?
- Processing time depends on the category, the office handling the case, current caseloads, and whether premium processing applies. The range shown reflects recent reported cases, not a guarantee for any individual case.
- Is the I-485 processing time getting faster or slower?
- We date every figure and refresh it on a schedule so you can see the current number. Compare the "as of" date here with older pages elsewhere, which often show stale figures.