Location Where You Applied for an Immigrant Visa or Adjustment of Status (Form I-90)
When renewing or replacing a green card, Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, asks for the location where you applied for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status. This question confuses many applicants. The wording sounds similar to another question, but it asks about a specific moment in your immigration process.
This page explains what the question means, what location to list, and how to avoid common mistakes. Plus, you can also find help preparing Form I-90 through CitizenPath if the answer is still unclear.
Key Takeaways
- This Form I-90 question asks where you applied, not where your green card was approved or issued.
- List the U.S. embassy or consulate if you applied for an immigrant visa outside the U.S.
- List the USCIS office or service center where you filed if you applied for adjustment of status.
- If the location is unclear, CitizenPath can help you answer Form I-90 correctly and avoid delays.
What This Form I-90 Question Is Really Asking
This question asks where you originally filed your immigrant visa application or your adjustment of status application.
However, it does not ask where:
- Your visa was issued
- Your green card was approved
- You interviewed for your permanent resident status
USCIS instructions don’t explain this question very well. Therefore, the key is that it asks where you applied, not where your case was decided. Think of it as the starting point of your path to permanent residence.
If You Applied for an Immigrant Visa Outside the United States
If you became a permanent resident through consular processing, you applied for an immigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the United States. In this case, list the city and country of the U.S. embassy or consulate. For example, someone from the Philippines might list "Manila, Philippines."
This is the location where you submitted your immigrant visa application, even though approval may have come later.
However, if you are unsure which consulate handled your case, your passport visa stamp or old immigration paperwork may help.
If you want extra confidence when preparing Form I-90, CitizenPath provides clear instructions written for everyday people. The affordable service checks for mistakes and builds a tailored checklist so you know exactly what to submit. You pay only when you’re satisfied and ready to download your I-90 package.
If You Applied for Adjustment of Status Inside the United States
If you applied for adjustment of status, you filed Form I-485 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services while already in the United States.
In this situation, list the USCIS office or service center where you filed the adjustment application. Often, this is based on where you lived at the time you applied
You do not need to list the field office where your interview occurred unless that was also where the application was filed.
Many applicants use the USCIS address shown on:
- Form I-485 receipt notice
- Copy of the filed application
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many Form I-90 delays happen because applicants confuse similar questions. Avoid these common errors:
- Listing the USCIS office that approved your green card
- Listing the location where your visa was issued
- Entering the name of your current city instead of the filing location
- Guessing when records are available
If the question asks where you applied, always go back to where the application was submitted, not finalized.
What If You Don’t Remember the Exact Location?
It’s normal not to remember details from years ago. Or, if you were a child, you likely don't know the location where you applied for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status. If you don’t know the exact office:
- Use the best information from old notices or copies
- List the city and country for consular processing cases
- List the USCIS office or service center tied to your filing address
Avoid leaving the answer blank unless the form instructions allow it.
If you still feel uncertain, CitizenPath's service helps you prepare Form I-90 quickly and correctly. Designed by attorneys, you can replace your green card fast with our affordable Green Card Renewal/Replacement Package →
How This Question Differs From “Where Your Case was Approved”
Form I-90 asks two similar questions for a reason. Each captures a different stage of your immigration journey. Another question on the application asks about the place where your case was approved. However, that is a separate question with a different purpose.
| Question | What It Refers To |
|---|---|
| Location where you applied | Where you filed Form DS-260 or I-485 |
| Location where visa was issued or status granted | Where your case was approved as a permanent resident |
If you’re looking for help with the question case approval location, see Location Location Where Your Immigrant Visa Was Issued or Adjustment of Status Granted →
FAQs: Location Where You Applied for an Immigrant Visa or Adjustment of Status
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