Key Takeaways
• Form I-485 costs $1,440 by mail or $1,390 online, non-refundable, unchanged since April 1, 2024.
• There is no separate biometrics fee. The 2024 fee rule folded biometric services into the filing fee, so the old $85 charge is gone.
• Form I-765 ($260) and Form I-131 ($630 paper / $580 online) are separate fees with separate payment authorizations, and USCIS no longer accepts checks or money orders for paper filings.
If you have read elsewhere that adjustment of status carries an $85 biometrics fee on top of the filing fee, that is out of date. The January 2024 USCIS fee rule eliminated the additional biometric services fee in most cases by building the cost into the underlying filing fee. Form G-1055, the USCIS fee schedule, lists no biometric services fee for Form I-485.
When applying for a green card through adjustment of status in the United States, many people focus on the main application, Form I-485. However, the process is more complex than just submitting this form and paying a single fee. Changes in government policy have introduced new fees and payment requirements that can catch applicants by surprise. Understanding all the costs and steps involved is essential for anyone planning to apply for permanent residence.
Free toolCSPA Age-Out Calculator OnlineThis guide explains the full range of government fees tied to Form I-485, including the main filing fee and the separate charges for related forms like employment authorization and advance parole. It also covers who needs to pay these fees, how to pay them, and what practical steps applicants should take to avoid delays or rejections. Every figure below comes from the USCIS fee schedule, Form G-1055, edition 05/29/26.
What Is Form I-485?
Form I-485, officially called the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, is the main form used by people already in the United States who want to become lawful permanent residents (green card holders). Instead of applying for a green card from outside the country, eligible applicants use Form I-485 to request a change of status while staying in the United States.
You can find the official Form I-485 and its instructions on the USCIS Form I-485 page.
Main Filing Fee for Form I-485
As of April 1, 2024, the filing fee for Form I-485 is $1,440 if you file by mail and $1,390 if you file online. That was a significant increase from the previous fee of $1,225, and it remains the fee today. The fee must be paid when you submit the application, and it is non-refundable, meaning you will not get your money back even if your application is denied or withdrawn.
Key points about the main filing fee:
– Amount: $1,440 by mail, $1,390 online
– Reduced rate: $950 by mail or $900 online for an applicant under 14 who files at the same time as one parent’s Form I-485
– Non-refundable: You cannot get a refund, no matter the outcome
– Payment methods: Card or bank debit only, using Form G-1450 or Form G-1650 by mail, or pay.gov if filing online
– Separate payment: Do not combine this fee with other payments for related forms
Additional Government Fees Associated with Form I-485
Many applicants are surprised to learn that the main filing fee is not the only cost involved. Other government fees may apply, depending on your need to work and your travel plans while your application is pending.
Biometrics: No Longer a Separate Fee
You will still be scheduled for a biometrics appointment, where USCIS takes your fingerprints, photograph, and sometimes your signature to run background and identity checks. What changed is the billing. Under the fee rule that took effect on April 1, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security eliminated the additional biometric services fee in most cases by including its cost in the underlying benefit request fee. For Form I-485, that means:
- You pay $0 for biometrics. The old $85 biometric services fee no longer applies.
- There is nothing to send separately. You do not include a second payment authorization for biometrics.
- Age no longer matters for billing. The old carve-outs for applicants under 14 or over 78 were about the separate biometrics charge, which is gone.
A small number of forms still carry a biometric services fee, now $30 rather than $85, including Form I-821 for Temporary Protected Status. Form I-485 is not one of them.
Employment Authorization Document (EAD) – Form I-765
Many people applying for a green card also want to work while their application is being processed. To do this, they must file Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization). In the past, if you filed Form I-765 together with Form I-485, there was no extra fee. Starting April 1, 2024, there is a separate fee of $260 for Form I-765, even if you file it at the same time as your I-485.
Key facts about the EAD fee:
– Amount: $260, the same whether you file on paper or online
– Applies when: you filed Form I-485 with a fee on or after April 1, 2024 and it is still pending
– Separate payment: Must be authorized separately from the I-485 fee
– Purpose: Allows you to work legally while your green card application is pending
Advance Parole (Travel Document) – Form I-131
If you need to travel outside the United States while your green card application is pending, you must apply for advance parole using Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document). Like the EAD, this form used to be free when filed with Form I-485. Now, there is a separate fee of $630 by mail or $580 online for Form I-131, even if you file it together with your I-485.
Key facts about the Advance Parole fee:
– Amount: $630 paper, $580 online
– Separate payment: Must be authorized separately from the I-485 fee
– Purpose: Allows you to re-enter the United States after traveling abroad while your application is pending
Summary Table: Fees When Filing Concurrently
Important: You must submit separate payment authorizations for each form. If you combine payments, your entire application package may be rejected.
Who Needs to Pay These Fees?
The fees apply to most people filing for adjustment of status, but there are some exceptions:
- Children under 14: Pay a reduced I-485 fee of $950 by mail or $900 online if filing concurrently with one parent’s Form I-485, but still pay the full fee for any I-765 or I-131 they file.
- Fee-exempt categories: Refugees and people paroled as refugees, Special Immigrant Juveniles, U nonimmigrants adjusting under INA 245(m), T nonimmigrants adjusting under INA 245(l), VAWA self-petitioners, certain Afghan and Iraqi special immigrants, and applicants under the Six and Six program for certain armed forces members all pay $0 for Form I-485. No fee waiver request is needed; you select the correct category on the form.
- Everyone else: Check the current USCIS Fee Schedule before filing, because the exemptions are category-specific.
Why Did the Fees Change?
The Department of Homeland Security proposed these fee increases and new separate charges in early 2023. The final rule published on January 31, 2024 and took effect on April 1, 2024. According to DHS, the higher fees help cover the full cost of processing and reviewing immigration applications, so that general taxpayers do not have to pay for these services. USCIS reports that roughly 96 percent of its funding comes from filing fees.
Key reasons for the changes:
– To cover the real costs of processing immigration benefits
– To reduce the financial burden on taxpayers who are not using these services
– To simplify the fee structure by folding biometric costs into the main filing fee, which the agency said would reduce rejections caused by a missing separate biometrics payment
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes have raised concerns among immigration attorneys and advocacy groups. Many worry that the higher costs will make it harder for lower-income families to apply for green cards and related benefits.
Real-World Example: Total Costs for a Typical Family
Let’s look at a common scenario: a married couple, both aged 35, each applying for adjustment of status and wanting to work and travel while their applications are pending.
For each spouse, filing by mail:
– Form I-485 filing fee: $1,440
– Form I-765 (EAD): $260
– Form I-131 (Advance Parole): $630
– Biometrics: $0
Total for one person: $1,440 + $260 + $630 = $2,330
Total for two people: $2,330 x 2 = $4,660
Filing the same set online where available brings it down: $1,390 + $260 + $580 = $2,230 per person, or $4,460 for the couple. That is a $200 saving for the household, purely for filing electronically.
This example shows how quickly the costs can add up, especially for families. If children under 14 are included and they file alongside a parent, their I-485 fee drops to $950 or $900, but the total can still be significant.
How to Pay the Fees
This is the part that changed most recently, and old guides get it wrong. Following Executive Order 14247 on electronic federal payments, USCIS stopped accepting paper payment instruments on October 28, 2025. Today:
- Filing online: pay at pay.gov with a credit, debit, or prepaid card, or by bank account withdrawal.
- Filing by mail: use Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, or Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions, drawn on a U.S. bank account.
- Personal checks, business checks, cashier’s checks, and money orders are no longer accepted for paper filings unless USCIS approves an exemption on Form G-1651, Exemption for Paper Fee Payment.
- Cash is never accepted, including at a USCIS office.
Tips for payment:
– Complete a separate Form G-1450 or Form G-1650 for each form (I-485, I-765, I-131)
– Confirm the card has enough available credit, or the bank account enough funds, for the full amount
– If you qualify for the Form G-1651 exemption and pay by check, make it payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” spelled out in full, and make sure it is dated within the previous 365 days
– Keep copies of all payment authorizations and receipts for your records
If you combine payments for different forms, your entire application package may be rejected, causing delays and extra work.
What Happens If You Filed Before April 1, 2024?
If you filed your Form I-485 on or after July 30, 2007 and before April 1, 2024, paid the required fee, and that application is still pending, you do not need to pay the new fees for Form I-765 or Form I-131 while your I-485 remains pending. This rule protects people who filed before the fee changes took effect.
Key points:
– Old fee structure applies if you filed before April 1, 2024
– $0 for EAD and Advance Parole filings while that I-485 is pending
– One caveat: under Pub. L. 119-21, certain parole approvals now carry an additional Immigration Parole Fee even where the I-131 filing fee itself is $0. Check the current fee schedule for your specific request type.
– Always keep proof of your original filing date and payments
What If You Can’t Afford the Fees?
The fees can be a real challenge for many families. Form I-485 is on the list of forms eligible for a fee waiver. To request one you file Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver) together with the application and document your financial situation.
You can qualify on any one of three grounds:
– You, your spouse, your child, or your parent (if you are under 21 or disabled) is currently receiving a means-tested benefit
– Your household income is at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines at the time you file
– You are experiencing extreme financial hardship, including hardship from unexpected medical bills or emergencies
Two cautions. For most applications you cannot request a fee waiver when filing online; Form I-912 and the underlying form go in on paper. And if USCIS finds you are not eligible, it may reject both the waiver request and the underlying application. Separately, the additional immigration fees created by Pub. L. 119-21 cannot be waived under any circumstances, even where USCIS waives the USCIS filing fee. Check the official USCIS fee waiver page for details.
Practical Steps to Avoid Delays or Rejections
Filing for adjustment of status is a big step, and mistakes can lead to long delays or even rejection. Here are some practical tips:
- Submit all required initial evidence and supporting documents with your application, including Form I-693, which the current Form I-485 requires at the time of filing. Missing documents can cause Requests for Evidence (RFEs), which slow down your case.
- Double-check your payment amounts and methods. Use a separate authorization for each form, and confirm whether the paper or online rate applies.
- Use the latest version of each form from the official USCIS website.
- Keep copies of everything you send to USCIS, including forms, supporting documents, and payment authorizations.
- Follow the instructions carefully for each form, including where to mail your application.
Rights and Pathways After Filing Form I-485
Once you file Form I-485, you may have certain rights and options while your application is pending:
- Work authorization: If you file Form I-765 and it is approved, you can work legally in the United States while waiting for your green card.
- Travel permission: If you file Form I-131 and it is approved, you can travel outside the United States and return without abandoning your application.
- Stay in the United States: You can remain in the country while your application is being processed, even if your previous visa expires.
However, you must follow all rules and avoid any actions that could harm your case, such as working without authorization or traveling without advance parole.
Future Outlook and Electronic Processing
The USCIS filing fees themselves have been stable since April 1, 2024. The moving parts are elsewhere: payments went fully electronic in October 2025, and Pub. L. 119-21 created a set of additional statutory immigration fees that adjust each year and cannot be waived. Always check the official fee schedule for the latest figures before you file.
Where to Find Official Information and Help
For the most up-to-date information on fees, forms, and filing instructions, visit the USCIS Form I-485 page and the Form G-1055 fee schedule. You can also review the USCIS Fee Rule FAQs for detailed explanations.
If you have questions or need help, you can:
– Contact USCIS customer service
– Speak with a licensed immigration attorney
– Visit a local community organization that helps immigrants
Conclusion and Actionable Takeaways
Applying for a green card through adjustment of status involves more than the main Form I-485 filing fee, but the extras are not what many older guides claim. There is no separate biometrics charge. What you do budget for is the separate fee for Form I-765 if you want to work, and the separate fee for Form I-131 if you want to travel, each paid with its own authorization.
Key takeaways:
– Budget carefully: One adult filing all three forms pays $2,330 by mail or $2,230 online.
– Skip the biometrics line item: The $85 fee was eliminated on April 1, 2024.
– Use separate payment authorizations: Never combine payments for different forms.
– Pay electronically: Checks and money orders are no longer accepted for paper filings without an approved Form G-1651.
– Check for fee waivers: If you cannot afford the fees, see whether you qualify for a waiver or a category-based exemption.
– Keep records: Save copies of everything you send and all payment confirmations.
By planning ahead and following these steps, you can reduce the risk of delays or rejections and move closer to your goal of becoming a permanent resident in the United States. For more detailed analysis and updates, VisaVerge.com reports that staying informed about policy changes is essential for all applicants and their families.
Learn Today
Form I-485 → Application form for adjustment of status to become a lawful permanent resident in the U.S.
Biometric Services Fee → A charge for fingerprinting and background checks that USCIS eliminated for most forms, including Form I-485, on April 1, 2024.
Employment Authorization Document → Document allowing applicants to work legally during their green card application process.
Advance Parole → Travel permission form enabling applicants to re-enter the U.S. without abandoning their pending application.
Form G-1450 → Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, the form used to pay a mailed USCIS filing fee by card.
Fee Waiver → A USCIS provision that removes the filing fee for applicants who document an inability to pay on Form I-912.
This Article in a Nutshell
Filing Form I-485 costs $1,440 by mail or $1,390 online, and there is no separate $85 biometrics fee: the 2024 fee rule folded it into the filing fee. The real add-ons are Form I-765 at $260 and Form I-131 at $630 paper or $580 online, each needing its own payment authorization. One adult filing all three pays $2,330 by mail or $2,230 online.
– By VisaVerge.com
