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. Under the current rule, work and travel permits filed at the same time are included at no extra charge. 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.
- Since April 2024, a work permit (Form I-765) and travel document (Form I-131) filed together with the I-485 are included, so you no longer pay separate fees for them.
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 now?
One of the biggest changes from the 2024 fee rule is bundling. Under the current structure, when you file Form I-765 for a work permit or Form I-131 for a travel document (advance parole) at the same time as your I-485, you do not pay a separate fee for those companion applications. In the past, applicants routinely paid hundreds of dollars extra for each. 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.
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?
Not when you file them together with your I-485 under the current rule. Form I-765 and Form I-131 filed at the same time are included in the I-485 fee. Filing them separately later can involve 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.
