Adjustment of Status Fees for Green Cards: Attorney and USCIS Costs

Families and employers across the United States are bracing for higher Adjustment of Status fees as 2025 brings both agency-level and legislative changes to the cost of applying for a green card inside the country. As of September 21, 2025, the base USCIS filing fees for Form I-485 remain at $1,225 for applicants aged 14 and older, a figure that includes the biometrics charge. At the same time, attorney fees for preparing and filing an Adjustment of Status case are averaging $3,000 to $5,200, with higher quotes common for complex histories or cases filed in large metro markets.

A new law—the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed on July 4, 2025—raises the adjustment filing amount to $1,500, but the timing and exact rules for applying that increase are still being shaped by agency guidance. For families, students, and workers counting every dollar, the difference between the current and new Adjustment of Status fees is already changing filing plans, especially when combined with separate costs for a medical exam and optional work and travel documents.

Core government fees and discounts

• Current Form I-485 fee: $1,225 (includes biometrics for most applicants).
• OBBBA increase: $1,500 (effective timing TBD; USCIS guidance pending).
• EAD discounts under Jan 2024 rule: Half-price EAD fees for Adjustment of Status applicants, plus a $50 discount for online filing where available.

Applicants should confirm whether their case qualifies for any discounts and whether newer rules change the fee totals they expect to pay on filing day.

Related filings commonly added to an Adjustment case

Many Adjustment applicants add these forms while their green card is pending:

• Form I-765 — Employment Authorization Document (EAD) (work permit).
• Form I-131 — Advance Parole (travel permission).

These add-ons allow applicants to keep working or travel for urgent reasons but carry extra fees unless a discount or bundle applies. Always confirm totals on the official USCIS fee page before mailing or uploading any packet.

Legal fees and what they cover

• Average attorney fee (flat): $3,000 to $5,200 for a typical Adjustment case.
• Hourly rates: $150 to $350 per hour, often higher in large cities or for complex matters.
• Medical exam (out-of-pocket): $200 to $500+, depending on clinic and vaccines.

Typical flat-fee scope:

1. Eligibility review and strategy planning
2. Document checklists and form completion
3. Affidavit drafting for sponsors
4. Pre-interview coaching
5. USCIS interview attendance when needed

Attorney fees are separate from USCIS filing fees and the medical exam. For many families, the combined government costs plus legal fees form the largest single expense of the immigration journey.

When to hire a lawyer — cost vs. risk

• A clean, straightforward case might be handled without full representation, but mistakes (incomplete forms, missed deadlines, thin sponsor evidence) often trigger RFEs or denials.
• Tougher cases—entry issues, overstays, criminal records, prior deportation orders—usually require professional help to avoid severe consequences.
• Many first-time filers now seek a one-time counsel review before submitting their packet to reduce risk.

VisaVerge.com analysis shows rising USCIS fees and complex rules are pushing more filers toward at least a single attorney review.

Biometrics and the medical exam

• The $1,225 Form I-485 fee already covers biometrics (fingerprints, photo, signature) for most applicants. Missing a biometrics appointment can stall a case; an attorney can assist in rescheduling.
• The medical exam by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon typically costs $200–$500+ and may include vaccine fees. Applicants should confirm whether to submit the sealed medical report with the initial filing or bring it to the interview—local field offices have varying preferences.

Fee waivers and their implications

• Fee waivers exist for some low-income applicants, but requesting a waiver can raise issues when the case relies on a financial sponsor.
• Practitioners caution that a waiver may complicate family-based Adjustment cases; attorneys may recommend alternatives such as staggering filings or using the half-price EAD option.

Interview realities and attorney assistance

• Many family and some employment cases require a live USCIS interview to decide the outcome.
• Attorney preparation commonly includes:
  • Mock Q&A sessions
  • Relationship-evidence checks (for marriage cases)
  • Ensuring form copies and exhibits are complete
• Attorney attendance at interview is optional but often helps clients stay calm and can be crucial if the officer needs clarification.
• If an RFE is issued, attorneys manage the response to meet local formatting and deadline requirements.

Practical budgeting: cost buckets

Plan costs in three main buckets:

1. Government costs
   • Form I-485: $1,225 now, possibly $1,500 when OBBBA applies
   • Fees for Form I-765 and Form I-131 if needed
2. Medical exam
   • $200–$500+, depends on clinic and vaccines
3. Attorney fees
   • Flat fee or hourly with a clear cap per stage

Cost-saving suggestions lawyers often give:

• Get documents early
• Follow checklists and keep copies of everything
• Use a USCIS online account to reduce mailing costs and catch notices faster

Billing models and expectations

• Hourly: $150–$350/hour. A short consult might cost a few hundred dollars; many hours add up if there are RFEs or complexities.
• Flat fee: Predictable but often excludes major surprises; supplemental fees may apply for newly discovered issues.
• Ask firms how they handle calls/emails between milestones and whether interview attendance is included.

Transition timing and filing risks

• USCIS must publish guidance explaining when the higher $1,500 Adjustment fee applies and how it interacts with the Jan 2024 fee rule.
• Two identical cases filed weeks apart could pay different totals if the new law takes effect between those dates.
• USCIS rejects packets with the wrong fee—this can cause loss of time, lapses of status, or the need to refile.
• Best practice: double-check the official fee amount on filing day rather than relying on others’ recent experiences.

Important: A check that is even a few dollars short can lead to automatic rejection. If a deadline is tight, file early with the correct fee rather than waiting.

Filing tips for those close to a rule change

• Consider overnight delivery and keep proof of postmark if filing close to a rule change.
• If online filing is available for your form set, the system typically confirms the correct fee at payment.
• Attorneys may offer filing calendars to help clients file before a fee increase becomes effective.

Middle-path options for cost-sensitive filers

• Many firms offer a fixed-fee review of a self-prepared packet (lower cost than full representation).
• Reviews can catch missing signatures, wrong form editions, or sponsor income gaps—reducing rejection or RFE risk.
• For prior issues (overstay, prior denial), full representation is usually the safer path.

Broader policy context and stakeholders

• USCIS relies on fee revenue to operate and improve systems, but fee hikes can deter eligible families from filing.
• Advocacy groups warn that big fee increases can push low-income households to delay reunification or skip work authorization requests—hurting families and employers.
• Some groups call for broader fee waivers or sliding scales; others note complex waiver standards can slow intake and increase agency workload.

Example budgets

• Family-based Adjustment (illustrative couple in Chicago):
  • Form I-485: $1,225 (or $1,500)
  • Half-price EAD for spouse
  • Medical exam: $350
  • Attorney fees (full service): $4,200
  • Total: roughly $6,000–$7,000 now; $300+ higher if OBBBA applies
• Employment-based Adjustment: employer may cover some legal costs, but employees should confirm who pays for the medical exam and any personal filing fees.

Practical checklist before filing

• Confirm the current fee amounts on the USCIS Official Fee Schedule at uscis.gov/fees.
• Check form pages for the latest instructions:
  • Form I-485: https://www.uscis.gov/i-485
  • Form I-765: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765
  • Form I-131: https://www.uscis.gov/i-131
• Decide whether to request the half-price EAD tied to Form I-485.
• Schedule the medical exam at a reasonable-priced civil surgeon.
• Choose the level of legal help that matches case complexity (document review vs. full representation).
• Keep a small budget cushion for fee increases or unexpected costs.

Final takeaway

Timeliness and completeness matter as much as the fee total. Filing fast to beat a fee increase is wise only if the packet is accurate and complete. Conversely, waiting for perfect documentation can expose applicants to higher fees if new rules take effect. Balance speed and quality: confirm the latest USCIS filing fees, decide on the discounted EAD if applicable, schedule the medical exam, and choose legal help aligned with the case’s complexity. For thousands of households in 2025, that planning is often the difference between a smooth path to permanent residence and an expensive detour.