Adjustment of Status Fee in 2026: What Form I-485 Really Costs

Adjusting status means applying for a green card without leaving the United States. For families and workers already living here, it is the final step toward permanent residence — and one of the more expensive. If you are budgeting for a 2026 filing, the number that matters most is the cost of Form I-485, the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Below is a plain-English breakdown of what it costs today, what changed, and which extra fees may apply to your case.

The Headline Number: $1,440 for Form I-485

Under the USCIS fee rule that took effect on April 1, 2024, the base filing fee for Form I-485 is $1,440 for most applicants. Just as important is what it now includes: the biometric services fee — the separate charge that used to cover fingerprinting and photographs — is now bundled into the I-485 fee for most applicants. In practice, the biometrics appointment that follows your filing carries no separate line-item cost. You pay the I-485 fee, and biometrics are covered.

This is the figure to anchor your budget on. If a guide or forum post quotes a lower I-485 fee plus a separate biometrics charge, it predates the 2024 rule. For your adjustment of status filing, plan on $1,440 as the base — and reconfirm it on the official USCIS Fee Schedule, Form G-1055, at uscis.gov before you write the check.

The 2024 "Unbundling": EAD and Advance Parole Now Cost Extra

The biggest change for most applicants is not the I-485 fee itself — it is what stopped being free alongside it.

Before the 2024 rule, applicants who filed Form I-765 (the Application for Employment Authorization, which produces the EAD work permit) and Form I-131 (the Application for Travel Document, which produces Advance Parole) together with their I-485 generally paid no additional fee for those benefits. They were, in effect, bundled into the green-card application, and many people filed all three forms in one package precisely because the work permit and travel document came at no extra charge.

Under the current rule, that is no longer true. Form I-765 and Form I-131 generally carry their own filing fees now, even when submitted with an I-485. Both remain optional — you file them only if you want to work or travel while your case is pending — but if you do, budget for separate charges.

One caveat matters here, and it is why this article does not print a dollar figure for either form: the exact amounts for I-765 and I-131 depend on how you file. USCIS charges different fees for online versus paper filing on some forms, and the schedule can change. Rather than trust a number that may already be stale, confirm the current I-765 and I-131 amounts on the official USCIS Fee Schedule, Form G-1055, at uscis.gov before you assemble your package.

A Lower Fee for Children Under 14

There is one built-in break in the I-485 fee. A child under the age of 14 who files their Form I-485 together with at least one parent's I-485 pays a reduced fee of $950 rather than the full $1,440. The child must file concurrently with a parent to get the lower fee; a child filing alone does not qualify. For families adjusting status together — common in family-based green card cases — this can meaningfully lower the household total.

Fee Waivers and Reduced Fees

Not everyone pays full price, and not everyone qualifies for relief — eligibility depends on your immigration category and household income. Some applicants may request a fee waiver using Form I-912, which asks USCIS to excuse the filing fee for those who cannot afford it; others may qualify for a reduced fee. These options are limited: many green-card categories are not eligible for a waiver at all, and approval is never automatic. If you think you may qualify, check the current rules and evidence requirements on uscis.gov.

Costs Beyond the USCIS Filing Fees

USCIS filing fees are not the only money a green-card case requires. Two other costs come up often, neither set by the fee schedule:

The immigration medical examination. Nearly every adjustment applicant must submit Form I-693, completed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon. The government does not set this price — the civil surgeon does — so it varies by provider and location. Call ahead and ask what the exam and any required vaccinations will cost.

The USCIS Immigrant Fee. This separate fee generally applies to people who immigrate through consular processing abroad rather than adjusting status inside the United States. It typically does not apply to a domestic I-485 filing, but if any part of a family's case runs through a U.S. consulate, expect it to appear later in that process.

Depending on your category, you may also need a financial sponsor to file the I-864 Affidavit of Support, a required part of many family-based packages. For a fuller picture of every line item, see our breakdown of how much a green card costs in 2026.

Adjustment of Status — 2026 USCIS Fees

Always confirm current amounts on the USCIS Fee Schedule (Form G-1055) at uscis.gov before filing.

The Bottom Line: Confirm Before You File

USCIS fees change, sometimes on short notice, and what you owe can depend on your age, your category, and even whether you file online or on paper. The two figures you can rely on today are the $1,440 base fee for Form I-485 and the $950 reduced fee for a child under 14 filing with a parent — both in effect since the April 1, 2024 rule. For everything else, especially the I-765 and I-131 fees, treat this article as a map, not a receipt. Pull up the official USCIS Fee Schedule (Form G-1055) at uscis.gov, confirm every amount that applies to your forms and filing method, and verify it again on the day you file.