Note: This information is outdated. Please check this USCIS page for the latest policy.
Starting Feb 24, 2020, the USCIS will require a new form, Form I-944 Declaration of Self Sufficiency, for all green card applications. Furthermore, starting Feb 24, 2020, the USCIS will require new editions of Form I-485 – Application for Adjustment of Status and Form I-864 Affidavit of Support.
How does it affect me?
If you plan to file with a postmark after Feb 23, you will need to wait for GreenCardHero to release a new version which generates the updated edition of the I-485 and I-864 and the new Form I-944. The USCIS has just published the new forms, and we are working as quickly as possible to update our software and aim to release the new version in about 2 weeks.
You can fill out your information in the current GreenCardHero version. Most of the information required will be the same in the new forms, with additional information needed. We will update the software in as soon as we can to support the new forms and you will be able to install the update for free. Afterwards, we will send out an email notifying you of the new version. All the information you have entered before the update will be saved.
Why is this happening?
On August 14, 2019, the Department of Homeland Security issued several changes to the “Public Charge” rules of immigration. This change makes it harder for immigrants who have received certain types of public benefits, such as SNAP food stamps, to file for a green card. This has forced the USCIS to update the I-485 and I-864 and add Form I-944, which is a document meant to ensure that the sponsored applicant will not require such public benefits.
You can read more about it at these two government resources here and here.
What will the new forms require?
Forms I-485 and I-864 have a few added additional questions. The newly added Form I-944 have sections for Credit Score, Assets, Debts & Liabilities, Health Insurance, and Education.
Previous changes (now outdated)
Oct 12, 2019
We have good news: The green card application form changes, originally scheduled to start after Oct 14, are now cancelled.
This means if you file after Oct 14, you do not need to submit the additional Form I-944, and you can keep using the current edition of Form I-485 and Form I-864.
Why is this happening?
On Oct 11, judges in three separate U.S. federal court cases blocked those form changes (officially called “the public charge rules”) from taking effect.The USCIS says “Until final decisions in these cases are issued or the injunction is lifted, USCIS will accept the version [of Forms I-485 and I-864].”
The current court decisions are “preliminary injunctions.” They are likely to be challenged by the Trump administration and enter the Appeals Courts, and ultimately the Supreme Court. It is not known how long the final court decisions will take, but we estimate nothing should change for at least several months.
We are closely monitoring the development of this event, and will send out updates when new changes happen.
How does this affect me?
If you have already submitted your I-485 and I-864, you are safe and have nothing to do. 👍
Otherwise:
For green card applicants applying from inside the U.S.
You do not need to submit the additional Form I-944, and you can keep using the current edition of Form I-485 and Form I-864.
For green card applicants applying from abroad
You can keep using the current edition of Form I-864. One thing to note: The current court decisions only apply to applicants applying from within the U.S. Applicants applying from outside the U.S. are still technically subject to the public charge rules as originally proposed. Make sure you use the most up-to-date Forms DS-260 and DS-261.
Previous changes (now cancelled)
Oct 1, 2019
If you plan to file Forms I-485 and I-864 after October 12, 2019, the USCIS has announced form changes that will impact your application. In this article we will explain these changes so you can plan your application wisely.
Starting October 15, 2019, the USCIS will require a new form, Form I-944 Declaration of Self Sufficiency, for all green card applications. Furthermore, starting October 15, 2019, the USCIS will require new editions of Form I-485 – Application for Adjustment of Status and Form I-864 Affidavit of Support.
The current editions of Form I-485 (Edition July 15, 2019) and Form I-864 (Edition March 6, 2018) will not be accepted if postmarked after October 14, 2019.
Since the USCIS has not published the new Forms I-485, I-864 and I-944, the forms currently generated by GreenCardHero use the editions that will expire after October 14, 2019. If you submit these forms postmarked on or before October 14, 2019, you will be fine. But if they are postmarked after October 14, 2019, outdated forms will be rejected.
The USCIS has not published the new forms and has not announced when they will become available.
How does it affect me?
If you have already submitted your I-485 and I-864, you are safe and have nothing to do. 👍
If you have not already submitted, but plan to submit before the new deadline, you can submit the current editions. However, please be sure that it is postmarked on or before October 14, 2019. Note that packages inserted into USPS boxes may not be postmarked until the next day. Therefore, it may be safest to go to a post office and have a window clerk confirm the postmark date. Another thing to note is October 14 is Columbus day and 13 is a Sunday, so the real last day to mail is October 12.
If you plan to file with a postmark after October 14th, you will need to wait for GreenCardHero to release a new version which generates the updated edition of the I-485 and I-864 and the new Form I-944. The USCIS has not published the new forms and has not announced when they will become available, but we will work as quickly as possible to update our software once the new forms are released.
Afterwards, we will send out an email notifying you of the new version of GreenCardHero. You will need to update GreenCardHero in order to generate the new forms. Of course, this update will be free of charge and you will not lose any existing records. We will also inform you if any new information required by the new I-485 or I-864 needs to be filled out.
Why is this happening?
On August 14, 2019, the Department of Homeland Security issued several changes to the “Public Charge” rules of immigration. This change makes it harder for immigrants who have received certain types of public benefits, such as SNAP food stamps, to file for a green card. This has forced the USCIS to update the I-485 and I-864 and add Form I-944, which is a document meant to ensure that the sponsored applicant will not require such public benefits.
You can read more about it at these two government resources here and here.
What will the new forms require?
Forms I-485 and I-864 are likely to add a few additional questions. The newly added Form I-944 may have sections about the applicant’s Credit Score, Assets, Debts & Liabilities, Health Insurance, and Education. However, since the actual forms have not yet been released, the final changes may be different.