I-485 filing fee (Green Card)
Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status: what USCIS charges, by filing category, from the official fee schedule.
Fee by filing category
| Filing Category | Paper Filing Fee | Online Filing Fee |
|---|---|---|
| General Filing | $1,440 | $1,390 |
| If under 14 years of age and submitting Form I-485 concurrently with the Form I-485 of one parent. | $950 | $900 |
| If you are filing as an applicant who served honorably on active duty in the U.S. armed forces and who is filing under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) section 101(a)(27)(K). Select Part 2., Item Number 3.c.: Certain U.S. Armed Forces Members (also known as the Six and Six program) (does not include non-military derivative spouses or children). | $0 | $0 |
| If you are a refugee or you were paroled as a refugee. Select Part 2., Item Number 3.d.: Refugee Status (INA section 207); or indicate refugee status or paroled as refugee in Part 1. | $0 | $0 |
| If you are in deportation, exclusion, or removal proceedings before an immigration judge, and the court waives your application fee. | $0 | $0 |
| If you are filing as a person seeking or granted Special Immigrant Juvenile classification. Select Part 2., Item Number 3.c.: Special Immigrant Juvenile. | $0 | $0 |
| If you are filing as a U nonimmigrant seeking adjustment of status under INA section 245(m). Select Part 2., Item Number 3.e.: Victim of Qualifying Criminal Activity (U Nonimmigrant). | $0 | $0 |
| If you are filing as a T nonimmigrant seeking adjustment of status under INA section 245(l). Select Part 2., Item Number 3.e.: Human Trafficking Victim (T Nonimmigrant). | $0 | $0 |
| If you are filing as a person seeking or granted special immigrant visa or status as: An Afghan or Iraqi translator or interpreter; An Iraqi national employed by or on behalf of the U.S. Government; An Afghan national employed by or on behalf of the U.S. Government or employed by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF); or A derivative beneficiary of one of the above. Select Part 2., Item Number 3.c.: Certain Afghan or Iraqi National. | $0 | $0 |
| If you are filing under Section 13 of Pub. L. 85-316 as an Afghan diplomat or immediate family member who held valid A or G status on July 14, 2021. Select Part 2., Item Number 3.f.: Diplomats or High-Ranking Officials Unable to Return Home. | $0 | $0 |
| If you are filing as a person seeking adjustment of status as an abused spouse or child under the Cuban Adjustment Act (CAA). Select Part 2., Item Number 3.f.: A Victim of Battery or Extreme Cruelty as a Spouse or Child Under the Cuban Adjustment Act. | $0 | $0 |
| If you are filing as a person seeking adjustment of status as an abused spouse or child under the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (HRIFA). Select Part 2., Item Number 3.f.: A Victim of Battery or Extreme Cruelty as a Spouse or Child Applying Based on Dependent Status Under the Haitian Refugee Immigrant Fairness Act. | $0 | $0 |
| If you are filing as a person seeking immigrant classification as a Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioner (including derivatives). Select Part 2., Item Number 3.a.: VAWA self-petitioning spouse, child, or parent. | $0 | $0 |
How to pay
Online filings are paid through Pay.gov. For paper filings USCIS no longer accepts personal or business checks, money orders or cashier's checks unless you qualify for an exemption (Form G-1651): pay by credit, debit or prepaid card with Form G-1450 or from a U.S. bank account with Form G-1650. A wrong amount gets the whole filing rejected.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the I-485 fee in 2026?
The I-485 fee is $1,440 on paper and $1,390 online. Filing online saves $50. 11 filing categories are exempt ($0). These are the amounts in the USCIS Fee Calculator, updated Oct 28, 2026.
Is it cheaper to file I-485 online?
Yes. Online filing costs $1,390 instead of $1,440 on paper, $50 less.
Can I get a fee waiver for I-485?
USCIS lists I-485 as eligible for a fee waiver for certain applicants. You request it with Form I-912 (or a written request) filed on paper together with the form, for example if you receive a means-tested public benefit, your household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or you are in financial hardship. Fees set by law under Pub. L. 119-21 cannot be waived.
How do I pay the I-485 fee?
Online filings are paid through Pay.gov. For paper filings USCIS no longer accepts personal or business checks, money orders or cashier's checks unless you qualify for an exemption (Form G-1651): pay by credit, debit or prepaid card with Form G-1450 or from a U.S. bank account with Form G-1650. A wrong amount gets the whole filing rejected.
How long does I-485 take after I pay?
USCIS decided half of all I-485 cases within 7.0 months in Apr–Jun 2026. See the I-485 processing time page for the history.
Figures are copied from the official files without changes; derived numbers (changes, backlog estimates) are explained on the methodology page. Not legal advice.