Refugees Apply for a Green Card After 1 Year, No I-485 Fee
People admitted to the US as refugees must apply for a green card after living in the US for 1 year: USCIS says US immigration law requires refugees to apply for lawful permanent resident status after at least one year of physical presence, using Form I-485. Refugees don’t pay the Form I-485 filing fee or the biometric services fee.
This article covers only people admitted as refugees (under INA section 207); it did not check the rules for asylees, so don’t apply it to them.
Who can apply
USCIS explains (USCIS green card for refugees):
- Admitted as a refugee: admitted as a refugee under INA section 207.
- One year in the US: physically present in the US for at least 1 year after admission.
- In the US when you file: you must be in the US when you file Form I-485.
- Refugee status not terminated, and you aren’t already a permanent resident.
- Admissible: not inadmissible, or eligible for a waiver.
What to prepare
- Proof of refugee admission: such as a copy of Form I-94, the Arrival/Departure Record.
- Two passport-style photos.
- A copy of a government-issued photo ID.
- Form I-693, medical exam and vaccination record: everyone applying as a refugee must submit the vaccination record portion.
- Spouse and unmarried children under 21: they can apply too, with proof of their relationship to the principal applicant.
You can work before the green card
- Work as soon as you arrive: USCIS says refugees may work immediately and don’t need an EAD.
- I-94 as proof: for 90 days after you arrive, your I-94 is acceptable evidence of work authorization and identity.
- EAD: you should get it within a few weeks of arriving, and it’s a convenient way to prove identity and work authorization.
- Mail separately: don’t put Form I-765 or I-131 in the same envelope as Form I-485.
For which receipts you can use for Form I-9 at work, see No Green Card Yet, Show I-94 With a Temporary Stamp for I-9; for terms like EAD and receipt number, see Immigration Terms, A-Number, EAD and Receipt Number Defined; for what to do after your green card is approved, see Green Card Approved, Get a New SSN Card and Show It at Work.
What this article did not check
- How asylees apply for a green card: this USCIS page covers only refugees, and this article did not check.
- Resettlement services in the first month: this article covers only the green card step, not resettlement or living assistance.
- Fees for spouses and children: this USCIS page sends derivative applicants to the fee schedule, and this article did not check the amounts.
Frequently asked questions
Do refugees have to apply for a green card?
USCIS says US immigration law requires refugees to apply for lawful permanent resident status after one year of physical presence.
Is there a filing fee?
Refugees don’t pay the Form I-485 filing fee or the biometric services fee.
Can I work before I get an EAD?
Yes. USCIS says refugees don’t need an EAD to work in the US; for 90 days after arrival, your I-94 serves as proof.
Does this apply to asylees too?
No. This article covers only people admitted as refugees; it did not check the process for asylees.
Sources and dates checked
All checked on 2026-10-30. This article is not legal or immigration advice.
- USCIS Green Card for Refugees (page updated 2025-07-08):https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility/green-card-for-refugees