I-485 Checklist Employment Based: Documents for EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 Filers

Employment-based I-485 filings have a different document set than marriage-based cases. No I-864 Affidavit of Support. A mandatory Supplement J in most cases. Specific requirements tied to your visa category and whether your I-140 was filed concurrently or previously. Getting the package wrong at submission triggers an RFE and months of delay. Getting it right means USCIS can adjudicate your case on the record you provide.

This checklist covers the core package for EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 concurrent and standalone I-485 filings.

Core Forms to Include in Every EB I-485 Package

Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) — Use the most current edition (10/24/24 as of 2026). File one for yourself and one for each derivative applicant (spouse, children).

Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) — File with I-485 to receive your EAD. As of April 2024, this is no longer bundled into the I-485 fee — the I-765 fee is $260 if filed concurrently with I-485 (less than standalone filing).

Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document / Advance Parole) — File if you plan to travel internationally during the adjustment process. Fee: $630. Do not file this form if you are in H-1B or L-1 status and plan to use your visa stamp for re-entry — filing is still optional in that case, but if approved, be aware of the Advance Parole re-entry status implications discussed elsewhere.

Form I-693 (Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record) — As of December 2, 2024, this must be submitted with the I-485 at filing for most applicants. Must be completed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon and submitted in a sealed, signed envelope. The exam is valid for 2 years from the surgeon's signature date.

Form I-485 Supplement J (Confirmation of Bona Fide Job Offer or Request for Job Portability) — Required for most EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 applicants at filing (and later if you invoke AC21 portability). The employer's authorized signatory must sign. The job duties in Supplement J should closely mirror the duties in the original I-140 petition.

Identity and Civil Documents

• Long-form birth certificate listing both parents' names (for each applicant)
• If birth certificate is unavailable: secondary evidence (school records, church records, etc.) plus a certificate of non-availability from the issuing authority
• Valid passport — copy of every page, including entry stamps and visas (all passports ever used are ideal; at minimum, current passport and all pages)
• I-94 arrival/departure record — print the most recent I-94 from i94.cbp.dhs.gov; include prior I-94 records if you have them from prior entries
• Any immigration documents issued in connection with your current and prior visa categories (I-797 approval notices for all H-1B, L-1, or other status approvals while in the U.S.)
• 2 identical passport-style photos per applicant (color, white background, 2"x2", taken within 30 days)

Petition-Related Documents

• Copy of approved I-140 petition and approval notice (I-797)
• If concurrent filing (I-140 and I-485 at the same time): include I-140 petition form, supporting evidence, and priority date documentation even though the I-140 decision has not yet issued
• PERM Labor Certification (if applicable — for EB-2 and EB-3 non-NIW cases): copy of the certified ETA-9089 form
• For EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver): copy of the I-140 petition and supporting evidence showing the waiver basis
• For EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability): documentation of the 10 evidentiary criteria used in the I-140
• Priority date documentation: any document confirming the priority date — typically the date the PERM was accepted for processing or the I-140 receipt date

Employment Verification

• Current employment offer letter from the sponsoring employer confirming the job title, duties, salary, and that the position is full-time and still available
• Most recent pay stub (confirms current employment and salary)
• If you have changed employers under AC21: the new employer's offer letter and Supplement J indicating portability, plus documentation that the I-485 has been pending 180+ days

For applicants in the 180+ day AC21 portability window, USCIS will also want evidence that the new position is in the "same or similar" occupational classification as the original sponsored role. This typically includes a side-by-side duty comparison and SOC code analysis, which should accompany a fully completed Supplement J.

Tax and Financial Documents (Employment-Based)

Employment-based I-485 applicants do not need to file the I-864 Affidavit of Support — that is specific to family-based cases. However, USCIS may request proof of financial self-sufficiency in certain circumstances. Having 1 to 2 years of tax transcripts available (not required at initial filing, but useful if an RFE arrives) is prudent for applicants who are self-employed or whose employment situation is complex.

Police Certificates and Clearances

• For applicants who have lived outside the U.S. for 6 or more months since age 16, police clearances may be required from each country
• USCIS may request these via RFE; including them proactively for countries with straightforward certificate issuance can prevent delays
• Some countries' clearances are obtained through the embassy or national police; processing times vary from days to months

Photographs and Fees

• 2 passport photos per applicant (as noted above)
• Filing fee: $1,440 per applicant ages 14-78; $950 for children under 14 (as of 2026, paper filing rates)
• I-765 fee: $260 (if filed concurrently with I-485; $520 standalone)
• I-131 fee: $630 (if filed)
• All fees payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security by check or money order if filing by mail; credit card allowed via G-1450 if filing by mail; card accepted if filing online

Common RFE Triggers for EB I-485 Packages

Based on 2026 RFE trends, the most frequent deficiencies in employment-based I-485 filings are:

Missing or deficient I-693: Wrong civil surgeon, missing signature on sealed envelope, expired exam (more than 2 years from surgeon signature), outdated vaccination record. This accounts for approximately 35% of all I-485 RFEs.

Supplement J issues: Missing employer signature, job duties that do not match the I-140, failure to include Supplement J at all for EB applicants. AC21 portability claims without adequate SOC code and duty comparison.

Immigration history gaps: Missing I-94 records for prior entries, no explanation for periods outside the U.S., unreported visa status changes.

Inconsistent employment information: Employment history in the I-485 that does not match USCIS records from prior I-140 or H-1B filings.

The comprehensive filing guide — including how to prepare the Supplement J duty comparison, what the civil surgeon must include for the I-693 to pass review, and how to handle complicated immigration histories — is in the US I-485 Adjustment of Status Guide.