U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reached a major digital milestone by opening an online filing channel for Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, for select employment-based categories. Effective April 24, 2026, eligible foreign workers currently in the United States can upload their entire application packages, including civil surgeon medical reports, in PDF format and pay the required filing fees through the myUSCIS portal.
Previously, employment-based applicants were required to submit voluminous paper packets via courier to USCIS lockboxes. This transition to electronic filing is expected to significantly reduce mailroom backlogs, minimize data-entry errors, and accelerate the issuance of receipt notices. Faster receipt notices are crucial for companies and workers, as they facilitate the extension of H-1B and L-1 work authorizations under AC21 portability rules.
While the new system is a substantial improvement, applicants must still retain their original, sealed Form I-693 medical records in case they are requested during an interview. Employers and immigration practitioners are advised to test the platform with a small number of cases initially, as the agency continues to refine the system to handle large file attachments without timing out.