USCIS Forms · Updated May 2026
Form I-485: The Green Card Application
What it is, who files it, what it costs, and what happens after you mail the packet.
Summary
Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) is the green card application filed by the immigrant spouse from inside the United States. The 2026 USCIS filing fee is $1,440 by mail for most adults, with biometrics bundled in. Since December 2024, the medical exam (Form I-693) must be included in the initial filing packet, and since June 2025 that exam is valid only for the one application it was filed with. Most couples filing as the spouse of a U.S. citizen send I-485 together with the family petition (Form I-130) in one packet and receive the green card in about 8 to 14 months.
At a glance
| Who files it | The immigrant spouse (the person becoming the green card holder), from inside the U.S. |
| Filing fee | $1,440 by mail for applicants age 14 to 78. Biometrics (fingerprinting) is bundled into this fee since April 1, 2024. Marriage-based cases cannot be filed online, so the $1,375 online discount does not apply. |
| Work permit (Form I-765) | Filed at the same time as I-485 for $260. Produces a combo work-and-travel card usually within 3 to 8 months. Not free since April 1, 2024. |
| Travel permit (Form I-131) | Filed at the same time as I-485 for $630. Issues Advance Parole (travel permission while the case is pending) on the same card as the work permit. Not free since April 1, 2024. |
| Medical exam (Form I-693) | Sealed envelope from a USCIS-designated civil surgeon, required in the initial filing packet since December 2, 2024. As of June 11, 2025, the exam is valid only for the specific application it was submitted with. If that application is denied or withdrawn, a new exam is required for any future filing. |
| Typical timeline | 8 to 14 months from filing to green card for the spouse of a U.S. citizen, as of May 2026. |
| Interview | Mandatory in-person for every marriage-based case in 2026. Both spouses attend together at a local USCIS field office. |
| Available inside the U.S. only | Yes. Spouses who are currently abroad do not file I-485. Their path is Consular Processing, which uses a different set of forms. |
Figures and timelines are current as of May 2026. Always verify fees and instructions on uscis.gov/i-485 before filing.
What Form I-485 is, in plain English
Form I-485 is the actual green card application. It is the form where the immigrant spouse officially asks the U.S. government to make them a lawful permanent resident.
The full name, “Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status,” describes what is legally happening. The immigrant spouse is “adjusting” from their current temporary status (a visitor visa, work visa, or student visa, for example) to permanent resident status. That is why the whole process is called Adjustment of Status, or AOS for short. If the immigrant spouse is inside the United States, AOS and Form I-485 are the path. If they are currently abroad, the path is different: it goes through a U.S. embassy and uses a different set of forms (a process called Consular Processing).
Form I-485 is 18 pages long and asks about the applicant's full identity, immigration history, travel history, employment history, family background, criminal record, and more. The answers feed directly into USCIS's eligibility review. Inconsistencies between this form and the other forms in the packet are one of the top causes of a Request for Evidence (USCIS's formal notice asking for more documents, called an RFE) or a denial. Every form in the packet needs to match.
Source: USCIS Form I-485 page (always check for the current edition date before printing).
Who files Form I-485 (and who does not)
The immigrant spouse files Form I-485. This is the person who is going to receive the green card. In immigration paperwork, this person is called the “beneficiary.”
The U.S. citizen or green card holder doing the sponsoring (called the “petitioner”) does not file I-485. They file Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) and Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support). Both spouses are part of the same case and attend the same interview, but they file different forms.
| Role | Forms they file |
|---|---|
| Immigrant spouse (the beneficiary) | I-485, I-765, I-131, I-693 |
| U.S. citizen or green card holder spouse (the petitioner) | I-130, I-130A, I-864 |
| Both spouses together | All of the above, filed as one packet |
When to file
The right time depends on whether the U.S. spouse is a citizen or a green card holder.
If the U.S. spouse is a citizen
File I-485 right away, at the same time as I-130. USCIS calls spouses of U.S. citizens “immediate relatives,” meaning there is no annual cap and no waiting list. As soon as the couple is legally married and the immigrant spouse is inside the U.S. on a lawful entry, the packet can go out. Filing everything together in one packet (called concurrent filing) cuts months off the overall timeline because the immigrant spouse gets a work permit and travel permit while waiting.
If the U.S. spouse is a green card holder
File I-130 first and wait. Spouses of green card holders fall in a preference category called F2A (the green card category for spouses of permanent residents), and there is an annual cap on those green cards. Once I-130 is approved and a green card becomes available in the monthly Visa Bulletin (the State Department's monthly chart showing which categories have available visa numbers), the immigrant spouse can then file I-485.
The filing fee (as of May 2026)
USCIS filing fees for a marriage-based Adjustment of Status case with all forms filed together in one packet. Source: USCIS G-1055 fee schedule, reflecting the fee rule effective April 1, 2024 (Federal Register Vol. 89, Jan 31, 2024).
| Form | Purpose | Online | Paper |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-130 | The family petition (U.S. citizen or green card holder files) | $625 | $675 |
| I-130A | Supplemental questionnaire about the immigrant spouse | $0 | $0 |
| I-485 | Green card application (biometrics bundled in; must be filed by mail for marriage cases) | N/A | $1,440 |
| I-864 | Affidavit of Support | $0 | $0 |
| I-765 | Work permit (filed concurrently with I-485) | $260 | $260 |
| I-131 | Travel permit / Advance Parole (filed concurrently with I-485) | $630 | $630 |
| USCIS total (one applicant, all forms, paper I-130) | $3,005 | ||
| USCIS total (one applicant, all forms, online I-130) | $2,955 | ||
Biometrics is bundled in. The fingerprinting appointment used to cost $85 separately. Since April 1, 2024, that fee is folded into the $1,440 I-485 fee. Do not mail a separate check for $85.
I-765 and I-131 are not free. Before April 1, 2024, both were free when filed with I-485. Since that date, I-765 costs $260 and I-131 costs $630. Many older articles online still say they are free. Those articles are out of date. (Source: Federal Register, January 31, 2024; CLINIC fee guidance, April 2024.)
No online discount for marriage cases. USCIS offers a $65 online filing discount (bringing I-485 to $1,375), but that discount is only for standalone employment-based I-485 cases. Marriage-based I-485 applications must be filed by mail. The full $1,440 applies.
The medical exam is extra. Form I-693 costs $200 to $500, paid directly to the civil surgeon. That amount is not part of the USCIS fee schedule.
The I-693 medical exam: two recent policy changes
The medical exam rules changed twice in the past 18 months. Most online articles are behind on at least one of these changes.
Change 1: The exam must go in the initial filing packet (December 2, 2024)
Before December 2, 2024, many applicants either brought the sealed exam to the interview or waited for USCIS to request it. That is no longer how it works.
Since December 2, 2024, USCIS requires the sealed medical exam to be in the initial filing packet. Packets that arrive without it may be returned. The civil surgeon gives the applicant the exam in a sealed envelope, and that sealed envelope goes directly into the I-485 packet mailed to USCIS. Do not open it.
Source: USCIS newsroom alert, effective December 2, 2024.
Change 2: The exam is now tied to one application only (June 11, 2025)
This one catches even recent applicants off guard.
Starting June 11, 2025, an I-693 exam signed by the civil surgeon on or after November 1, 2023 is valid only for the specific I-485 it was submitted with. If that application is denied or the applicant withdraws it, the exam cannot be reused. A fresh medical exam from a civil surgeon is required before any new I-485 can be filed.
The reasoning: USCIS said letting applicants reuse exams created a public health risk because older exams might not reflect a person's current health status. Under the prior policy (which itself was only from April 2024), an exam signed on or after November 1, 2023 was valid indefinitely. That policy ended June 10, 2025.
Eligibility: who can file I-485
Four things need to be true to file Form I-485 through the marriage-based path.
- 1
The immigrant spouse is physically inside the United States
I-485 is only for people already in the U.S. If the immigrant spouse is currently abroad, the path is Consular Processing, not Adjustment of Status.
- 2
The immigrant spouse entered the U.S. lawfully
A U.S. officer at a port of entry must have inspected and admitted the person. USCIS calls this "inspected and admitted." Common lawful entries: arriving on a nonimmigrant visa (tourist, student, or work visa), arriving under the Visa Waiver Program, or being paroled into the U.S. Spouses of U.S. citizens can still file I-485 in many cases even after a visa overstay, unauthorized work, or a lapsed status. This protection does not apply to spouses of green card holders, and it does not protect people who crossed into the U.S. without going through a port of entry (known as entering without inspection). People who entered without inspection generally cannot use Adjustment of Status. An attorney consultation is worth the time before assuming a case is ineligible.
- 3
The couple is legally married, and the marriage is real
A valid legal marriage is required. USCIS also requires the marriage to be genuine, meaning a couple actually living a shared life together, not a marriage entered into purely for immigration purposes. The legal phrase USCIS uses is "bona fide marriage."
- 4
The immigrant spouse is not inadmissible
USCIS maintains a list of reasons a person can be barred from a green card: certain criminal convictions, prior fraud or misrepresentation on immigration forms, certain public health conditions, and prior removal from the U.S. Some bars can be waived; others cannot. Complex inadmissibility issues are worth a conversation with an immigration attorney.
Source: USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 7, Part A (Adjustment of Status eligibility and grounds).
What the I-485 covers: all 18 parts
Form I-485 is longer than most applicants expect. Here is what each section asks for, so nothing comes as a surprise.
| Section | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Part 1 | Reason for filing (family-based, employment-based, etc.) |
| Part 2 | Full legal name, other names used, date and place of birth, current address |
| Part 3 | Processing information: visa waiver status, prior refusals of admission, family members filing with you |
| Part 4 | Where you have lived for the past 5 years |
| Part 5 | Where you have worked or studied for the past 5 years |
| Part 6 | Full names and citizenship of both parents |
| Part 7 | Height, weight, eye and hair color, race, and ethnicity |
| Part 8 | General eligibility and inadmissibility grounds. This section is the most detailed: military service, removal proceedings, public charge, immigration violations, and more. Even old issues may need to be disclosed here. |
| Part 9 | Security and background: membership in organizations, contact with foreign government or military |
| Part 10 | Continuous residence (relevant for some employment-based categories) |
| Part 11 | Applicant's signature |
| Part 12 | Interpreter's signature (if someone translated the form) |
| Part 13 | Preparer's contact information and signature (if an attorney or service prepared the form) |
| Parts 14 to 18 | Various acknowledgments and additional signatures |
Part 8 deserves extra attention. It asks detailed yes/no questions about immigration history, criminal history, and public health. Even old issues (a prior overstay, a dismissed arrest from many years ago) may need to be disclosed. Omissions here are a common cause of denials and can have consequences beyond just the green card case.
Part 8, Question 61 catches many applicants off guard. The question asks whether the applicant is subject to the public charge ground of inadmissibility. Most marriage-based applicants must check “Yes” here, because they are technically subject to that screening (which is exactly what Form I-864 is designed to address). Many applicants instinctively check “No” because they assume they will not be found inadmissible. That assumption is wrong for this question. Checking “Yes” does not mean you will be denied; it signals USCIS to review the I-864 for financial support evidence. Checking “No” by mistake is one of the most common RFE triggers.
What to include in the filing packet
For a marriage-based concurrent filing, the evidence USCIS expects falls into four categories.
Identity (immigrant spouse)
- Birth certificate with certified English translation
- Two passport-style photos
- Every page of every passport (current and expired) with a U.S. stamp or visa
- Form I-94 arrival and departure record (downloaded from i94.cbp.dhs.gov)
Marriage
- Marriage certificate from the issuing civil authority, with certified English translation if not in English
- Divorce decrees, death certificates, or annulment orders for any prior marriages
- Proof the marriage is genuine (bona fide evidence): joint bank account statements, joint lease or mortgage, joint utility bills, joint insurance policies, joint tax returns, photos from the wedding and from life together, birth certificates of children, and affidavits from friends or family
U.S. citizen or green card holder spouse
- U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or Certificate of Naturalization (for U.S. citizens)
- Green card or other proof of permanent resident status (for green card holder sponsors)
- Proof of any legal name changes
Financial (for Form I-864 Affidavit of Support)
- Most recent federal tax return or IRS tax transcript
- Recent W-2s, 1099s, and pay stubs
- An employer letter confirming current employment, title, and salary
- Joint sponsor's same documents, if the U.S. spouse's income falls short of the 125% federal poverty threshold
Forms in the same packet
- Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)
- Form I-130A (Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary)
- Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence)
- Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support)
- Form I-693 (Medical Exam, sealed envelope from a USCIS-designated civil surgeon -- required at filing since December 2024; find a civil surgeon at uscis.gov/civil-surgeons)
- Form I-765 (Work Permit application, optional but strongly recommended)
- Form I-131 (Travel Permit application, optional but strongly recommended)
Concurrent filing: why most couples file everything at once
For spouses of U.S. citizens, filing Form I-485 together with Form I-130 in one packet is almost always the better approach.
Without concurrent filing, the process has a dead zone. The family petition (I-130) goes in the mail first. Six months to a year later, it is approved. Only then can I-485 be filed, and the wait starts again. The immigrant spouse has no work authorization and cannot travel internationally during the entire I-130 waiting period.
With concurrent filing, both forms go in on day one. USCIS processes the I-130 and I-485 together. While the case is pending, the immigrant spouse can apply for a work permit (I-765, which costs $260) and a travel permit (I-131, which costs $630) in the same packet. USCIS typically issues the work-and-travel combo card (Form I-766, also called an EAD or Employment Authorization Document) within 3 to 8 months. That card lets the immigrant spouse work for any employer and travel internationally while the green card is still being processed.
Spouses of green card holders cannot file concurrently. Their I-130 must be approved first, and a visa number must become available in the monthly Visa Bulletin before I-485 can be filed.
What happens after you file
A rough timeline for a USC-spouse case with all forms filed together, as of May 2026. The exact timing depends on the local USCIS field office.
| Time after filing | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| 2 to 4 weeks | Receipt notices (Form I-797, USCIS's confirmation) arrive by mail for each form in the packet |
| 4 to 8 weeks | Fingerprinting (biometrics) appointment at a local Application Support Center |
| 3 to 8 months | Work-and-travel card (Form I-766, also called an EAD or Employment Authorization Document) issued if I-765 and I-131 were filed concurrently |
| 6 to 13 months | Interview notice arrives 4 to 8 weeks before the scheduled date |
| 8 to 14 months | In-person interview at a local USCIS field office; case usually approved on the spot or within days |
| 30 to 90 days after approval | Physical green card arrives in the mail |
Work permit
The I-485 receipt notice alone does not authorize employment. The immigrant spouse must wait for the physical EAD card (from the concurrently filed I-765) before starting work.
Interview
In 2026, USCIS requires a mandatory in-person interview for every marriage-based Adjustment of Status case. Both spouses attend together at a local field office. The officer asks about the couple's relationship and confirms the immigrant spouse is eligible. Most interviews take 20 to 45 minutes. Bring originals of everything in the packet. See the interview prep guide for sample questions.
Current processing times
Processing times vary by field office and change frequently. Check uscis.gov/processing-times for the latest data.
For a fuller breakdown of the entire timeline, see the marriage green card timeline guide.
Conditional vs permanent green card
The length of the marriage on the day USCIS approves the case determines which card the immigrant spouse receives.
Married less than 2 years at approval
USCIS issues a conditional green card, valid for 2 years. Before the card expires, the couple files Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) together to upgrade to a regular 10-year card. This step is mandatory. Missing it means losing green card status.
Married 2 or more years at approval
USCIS issues a permanent green card, valid for 10 years, right away. No I-751 needed.
Couples close to the 2-year mark at filing may receive the 10-year card because the case takes long enough for the marriage to surpass 2 years by approval day.
Common mistakes
Most I-485 delays, RFEs (Requests for Evidence from USCIS asking for more documents), and rejections trace back to a small number of avoidable errors.
Filing without the I-693 medical exam
Since December 2, 2024, the sealed medical exam must be in the initial filing packet. Many older guides still say to bring the medical to the interview. That instruction was accurate before December 2024. It is no longer how it works. Packets arriving without the exam may be returned. Also worth knowing: since June 11, 2025, that exam is valid only for the specific I-485 it was filed with. If the application is denied or withdrawn and you refile later, a new medical exam is required.
Sending incorrect fees for I-765 and I-131
Many guides still say these forms are free when filed with I-485. They have not been free since April 1, 2024. I-765 costs $260 and I-131 costs $630. Underpaying causes a rejection. Source: Federal Register, January 31, 2024; CLINIC fee guidance, April 2024.
Including a separate $85 biometrics check
Since April 1, 2024, the biometrics fee is bundled into the $1,440 I-485 fee. Do not mail a separate check for $85. Extra payments for already-bundled fees cause processing problems.
Expecting to file online and pay $1,375
USCIS offers a $65 online filing discount (reducing the fee to $1,375), but that discount applies only to standalone employment-based I-485 applications. Marriage-based (family-based) I-485 applications must be filed by mail. The full $1,440 applies.
Leaving the U.S. before the travel permit is approved
An I-485 receipt notice does not automatically make travel safe. Leaving the U.S. before Form I-131 (Advance Parole, the travel permission USCIS issues while the case is pending) is approved is generally treated by USCIS as abandoning the green card application. Most couples wait for the combo card before any international trip.
Using the wrong edition of Form I-485
As of February 10, 2025, USCIS only accepts the 10/24/2024 edition of Form I-485. Older editions are rejected. Check the edition date on the form cover page against the current version on uscis.gov/i-485 the day you print the forms.
Inconsistent answers across forms
Dates, names, addresses, and travel history must match exactly between I-130, I-485, and I-864. Cross-check everything before sealing the envelope.
Thin financial evidence on Form I-864
Sending only one year's tax return without W-2s, pay stubs, and an employer letter is one of the most common RFE (Request for Evidence from USCIS asking for more documents) triggers. The income floor is $27,050 per year for a household of two as of 2026, which is 125% of the HHS federal poverty guideline. If the U.S. spouse's income falls short, a joint sponsor (a third adult who signs a separate I-864 and meets the threshold) can fill the gap.
Answering Part 8, Question 61 incorrectly
The question asks whether the applicant is subject to the public charge ground of inadmissibility. Most marriage-based applicants must check "Yes" here, because they are technically subject to that screening (which is exactly what Form I-864 is designed to address). Many applicants instinctively check "No" because they assume they will not be found inadmissible. That assumption is wrong for this question. Checking "Yes" does not mean you will be denied; it just signals USCIS to review the I-864 for financial support evidence. Checking "No" by mistake is one of the most common RFE triggers.
What happens if Form I-485 is denied
USCIS sends a written decision explaining the reason. The most common causes: missing evidence, inadmissibility issues, failure to respond to an RFE (Request for Evidence, a USCIS notice asking for more documents), or fraud concerns.
Depending on the reason, the immigrant spouse may have several options. USCIS may reopen the case if new evidence comes to light. The applicant may be able to ask USCIS to reconsider the decision. If the denial is based on a legal question, an appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals may be possible. For a denial based on fraud or misrepresentation, the situation is serious and an attorney consultation is the right next step.
One important thing about the medical exam after a denial
Under the June 2025 I-693 rule, if you refile I-485 after a denial or withdrawal, a new medical exam is required. The exam from the previous filing is no longer valid. Budget $200 to $500 for a new civil surgeon visit before refiling.
Edge cases worth knowing
A few situations come up often enough to call out. This article assumes a standard case; these exceptions can change the strategy.
Immigrant spouse entered without being inspected at the border
Adjustment of Status through marriage to a U.S. citizen is generally not available for people who crossed without going through a port of entry. This situation calls for an attorney consultation.
Prior removal order
If USCIS or an immigration judge issued a prior order of removal, the case is complicated. A motion to terminate proceedings or a separate waiver may be needed. Attorney consultation recommended.
Previously denied a visa or entry
Prior refusals must be disclosed on Form I-485 Part 3. Undisclosed prior refusals are themselves a ground for denial.
U.S. citizen spouse income is too low for I-864
A joint sponsor, a third adult who signs a separate I-864 and meets the 125% income threshold, can fill the gap. For more, see the income-too-low guide.
Divorce during the process
If the marriage ends before USCIS approves the case, the I-485 must be withdrawn. The immigrant spouse loses the green card basis. See the divorced-during-process guide for options.
Frequently asked questions
Who files Form I-485?
The immigrant spouse (the foreign national who is becoming the green card holder) files Form I-485. The U.S. citizen or green card holder spouse files I-130 and I-864. Both spouses attend the same interview, but they file different forms. USCIS calls the immigrant spouse the beneficiary and the sponsoring spouse the petitioner.
How much does it cost to file Form I-485 in 2026?
The I-485 fee is $1,440 by mail for applicants age 14 to 78 (biometrics bundled in since April 1, 2024). Filing I-765 for a work permit costs $260 more. Filing I-131 for a travel permit costs $630 more. Combined total for all three: $2,330. Add $625 to $675 for I-130 and the USCIS total is about $2,955 to $3,005. The medical exam (Form I-693) is an additional $200 to $500 paid to the civil surgeon. As of May 2026; source: USCIS G-1055 fee schedule.
Are I-765 and I-131 free when filed with I-485?
No. They used to be free before April 1, 2024. Since that date, I-765 costs $260 and I-131 costs $630, even when filed at the same time as I-485. Many articles online still say they are free. Those articles are out of date. Source: Federal Register, January 31, 2024; CLINIC fee guidance, April 2024.
Can I file I-485 online to get the $1,375 discounted fee?
Not for marriage-based cases. USCIS offers a $65 online filing discount (bringing the fee to $1,375), but that discount applies only to standalone employment-based I-485 applications. Marriage-based (family-based) I-485 applications must be filed by mail. The full $1,440 fee applies.
Can I work while the I-485 is pending?
Not on the I-485 receipt notice alone. To work legally, the immigrant spouse needs a work permit (Form I-766, also called an EAD or Employment Authorization Document). USCIS issues the EAD after approving the concurrently filed I-765 application, typically 3 to 8 months after filing. Start work only after the physical EAD card arrives.
Do I need to submit the medical exam with my I-485?
Yes, since December 2, 2024. The sealed envelope from the civil surgeon goes into the initial filing packet. The older practice of bringing it to the interview is no longer how the process works. USCIS may return packets that arrive without the medical exam.
How long is the I-693 medical exam valid?
As of June 11, 2025, the exam is valid only for the specific I-485 it was submitted with. If your I-485 is denied or withdrawn, a new medical exam is required if you refile. The previous policy allowing indefinite validity ended on June 10, 2025. Source: USCIS Policy Manual update, June 11, 2025.
How long does the I-485 process take?
For the spouse of a U.S. citizen filing all forms at once, the typical timeline is 8 to 14 months from filing to green card as of May 2026. USCIS reported an average of about 11.5 months for family-based I-485 cases as of March 2026. The biggest variable is the local USCIS field office. Check uscis.gov/processing-times for current data on your specific office.
Is the interview required in 2026?
Yes. USCIS requires an in-person interview for every marriage-based Adjustment of Status case in 2026. Both spouses attend together at a local USCIS field office. USCIS has stopped waiving interviews for this category even in straightforward cases.
What happens if Form I-485 is denied?
USCIS sends a written decision explaining the reason. Common causes: missing evidence, inadmissibility issues, failure to respond to an RFE (Request for Evidence, a USCIS notice asking for more documents), or fraud concerns. Options may include refiling, asking USCIS to reopen or reconsider, or appealing to the Board of Immigration Appeals. If you refile, a new medical exam is required under the June 2025 I-693 rule. An immigration attorney consultation is worth considering after a denial.
What is a conditional green card?
If the marriage is less than 2 years old on the day USCIS approves the case, the immigrant spouse receives a conditional green card valid for 2 years. Within the 90 days before that card expires, the couple files Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) to convert to a regular 10-year card. If the marriage is already 2 or more years old at approval, the green card is a regular 10-year card from the start.
Can I travel internationally while I-485 is pending?
Only after Form I-131 (Advance Parole, the travel permission USCIS issues while the case is pending) is approved. USCIS typically issues the travel permit on the same card as the work permit (Form I-766). Leaving the U.S. before Advance Parole is approved is generally treated as abandoning the green card application.
Key takeaways
- ✓
Form I-485 is the actual green card application. Only the immigrant spouse inside the U.S. files it, under the Adjustment of Status path. Spouses abroad use Consular Processing instead.
- ✓
The 2026 filing fee is $1,440 by mail for most adults (biometrics bundled in since April 1, 2024). Form I-765 for a work permit costs $260 extra, and Form I-131 for a travel permit costs $630 extra. Neither has been free since April 1, 2024. Marriage-based cases cannot be filed online, so the $1,375 discounted online fee does not apply.
- ✓
The Form I-693 medical exam must be submitted with the I-485 at filing (required since December 2, 2024). Since June 11, 2025, the exam is valid only for the application it was filed with. If that application is denied and you refile, get a new exam.
- ✓
For spouses of U.S. citizens, filing I-130 and I-485 together in one concurrent packet eliminates the wait between petition approval and application filing. It also lets the immigrant spouse apply for a work permit and travel permit in the same mailing.
- ✓
Every marriage-based Adjustment of Status case requires a mandatory in-person interview in 2026.
- ✓
If the marriage is less than 2 years old on approval day, the immigrant spouse gets a conditional 2-year card and must file Form I-751 before it expires to receive the regular 10-year card.
- ✓
Part 8, Question 61 trips up many applicants: most marriage-based filers must check "Yes" to the public charge inadmissibility question. Checking "No" by mistake is a common RFE trigger.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Green Card Genius is self-help immigration software, not a law firm, and does not provide legal representation. Immigration law and USCIS policy change frequently. For advice on a specific case, consult a licensed immigration attorney. Information is current as of May 2026; verify any fee, processing time, or eligibility rule against the relevant USCIS page before relying on it.
Continue reading
- 01Form I-130: Petition for Alien Relative (2026 Guide)
- 02Form I-864 Affidavit of Support: Complete 2026 Guide
- 03Adjustment of Status Guide (2026): Marriage Green Card
- 04What to Include in Your Marriage Green Card Cover Letter (AOS and CP)
- 05Green Card Medical Exam (Form I-693): What You Need to Know (2026)
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