The filing fee for Form I-485, the application to adjust status to permanent resident, is $1,440 for most applicants age 14 and older who file on paper, and $1,390 if you file online where that option is available. Applicants under 14 who file together with a parent pay a reduced fee of $950. Those amounts come from the fee rule that took effect on April 1, 2024 and remain in place in 2026. This guide breaks down what the fee covers, who pays a different amount, and the other costs that come with a green card application so there are no surprises.
The short version
The base I-485 fee in 2026 is $1,440 by mail (or $1,390 online where offered) for applicants 14 and older, and $950 for a child under 14 filing with a parent. If your I-485 was filed on or after April 1, 2024, a work permit (Form I-765) and a travel document (Form I-131) carry their own fees even when filed with it: $260 for the I-765 and $630 for the I-131. Always confirm the exact amount on the USCIS fee calculator before you file, because a wrong fee gets a case rejected.
Key takeaways
- The standard I-485 fee is $1,440 on paper, with a $50 discount to $1,390 for online filing where available.
- A child under 14 filing with a parent pays $950; a child under 14 filing alone pays the full amount.
- For an I-485 filed on or after April 1, 2024, the work permit (Form I-765) costs $260 and the travel document (Form I-131) costs $630, in addition to the I-485 fee. Only I-485s filed between July 30, 2007 and March 31, 2024 get them without a separate fee.
How much is the I-485 filing fee in 2026?
For most applicants age 14 and older, the fee is $1,440 when you file by mail. USCIS offers a $50 discount, making it $1,390, when you are able to file online, though online filing is not available for every category. For an applicant under 14 who submits the application at the same time as a parent’s I-485, the fee is $950. A child under 14 who is not filing with a parent pays the full $1,440. These figures reflect the fee schedule published on Form G-1055.
Because fees change and category rules vary, the most reliable way to confirm your exact amount is the official USCIS fee calculator, which asks about your situation and returns the current figure. Filing with the wrong fee is one of the most common reasons USCIS rejects an application outright, which costs you weeks and sometimes your place in line.
What does the I-485 fee include, and what costs extra?
The 2024 fee rule ended the old practice of including a work permit and travel document in the I-485 fee. Under 8 CFR 106.2, if your I-485 was filed on or after April 1, 2024, you pay separately for each companion application: $260 for the work permit (Form I-765) while your I-485 is pending, and $630 for a travel document such as advance parole (Form I-131). The $50 online discount does not apply to the $260 work permit fee. Applicants who filed an I-485 between July 30, 2007 and March 31, 2024 and paid that fee are the ones who can get a work permit or travel document without an additional fee while the I-485 remains pending. If you want to understand what those companion documents do, our guide to Form I-131, the travel document and advance parole, explains how travel permission works while your case is pending, and our I-765 fee guide covers work permit costs by category.
Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) are generally covered within the I-485 fee under the current rule rather than charged separately for most adjustment applicants, though USCIS still sets biometrics requirements case by case. Again, the fee calculator is the authority for your specific filing.
Who pays a different amount, and are fee waivers available?
Not everyone pays the standard fee. Beyond the reduced $950 fee for a young child filing with a parent, some humanitarian categories qualify for reduced fees or fee waivers. USCIS provides Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, for applicants who can show they cannot afford the fee, and certain applicants, such as refugees adjusting status, are exempt entirely. Eligibility for a waiver depends on your category and your financial situation, and requesting one improperly can slow your case, so it is worth confirming whether you qualify before you file.
Keep in mind that the filing fee is only the government’s charge to process the application. It does not include the other real costs of adjusting status, which we cover next.
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What other costs come with a green card application?
The I-485 fee is the largest single government charge, but it is not the only one. Most adjustment applicants also need the required immigration medical exam, completed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon, which typically costs a few hundred dollars and is not paid to the government. If a family is adjusting together, each person files their own I-485 with its own fee. And depending on the category, there may be an underlying petition (such as an I-130) with its own separate fee that has to be filed or already approved.
Planning for the full picture helps you avoid mid-process surprises. Our complete green card timeline for 2026 walks through the stages, and our marriage-based green card guide shows how the I-485 fits alongside the petition in the most common family case.
Frequently asked questions
Is the I-485 fee refundable if my application is denied?
No. USCIS filing fees pay for processing the application, not for a particular result. If your I-485 is denied, the fee is not returned, which is one reason getting the application right the first time matters.
Do I still pay separately for a work permit and travel document?
Yes, if your I-485 was filed on or after April 1, 2024. Under 8 CFR 106.2, the work permit (Form I-765) costs $260 while your I-485 is pending, and the travel document (Form I-131) costs $630, even when you file them together with the I-485. Only applicants whose I-485 was filed between July 30, 2007 and March 31, 2024 can receive them without a separate fee.
Can I pay the I-485 fee with a credit card?
Yes, for paper filings you can use Form G-1450 to pay by credit card, or pay by check or money order. Online filings are paid electronically. Make sure the payment amount is exactly correct.
How do I know the fee has not changed?
Check the USCIS fee calculator or the G-1055 fee schedule right before you file. Fees are set by regulation and can be updated, so a figure that was correct months ago may not be current.
How we can help
The I-485 fee is only one piece of an adjustment of status case, and the paperwork around it is where problems usually start. We help applicants confirm the right fee for their category, decide whether a fee waiver is worth pursuing, and file a complete application that does not get rejected on a technicality. If you are planning to adjust status, we would rather help you build the filing correctly than fix a rejection later.
To get started, call us at (407) 917-2087 or request a free pre-evaluation. We will look at the facts, tell you honestly whether we can help, and if it is a fit, set up a paid consultation with a written flat-fee quote. Our founding attorney Denisse Ilabaca is Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by The Florida Bar, a distinction held by fewer than two percent of Florida attorneys.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Immigration law and filing fees change, and every case is different. For advice about your specific situation, speak with a licensed immigration attorney.