Adjustment of Status (I-485) in 2026: Fees & the August Visa Bulletin
The State Department’s August 2026 Visa Bulletin just reset the filing calendar for green card applicants inside the United States — here is what changed, and what Form I-485 costs right now.
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Adjustment of Status lets someone who is already inside the United States apply for a green card without leaving the country. Form I-485 is the centerpiece of that process, but filing it is not just a paperwork exercise — it also depends on whether an immigrant visa number is actually available to you that month, under the rules published in the monthly Visa Bulletin.
($1,390 filed online)
MOST COUNTRIES, AUGUST 2026
What the August 2026 Visa Bulletin Changed
Each month, the Department of State publishes “Final Action Dates” that determine which pending green card cases are current enough to move forward. For applicants chargeable to most countries — that is, everyone except the handful of historically oversubscribed countries the Bulletin lists separately — the August 2026 employment-based chart shows EB-1 (priority workers) and EB-2 (advanced degree holders and those of exceptional ability) as current, meaning no wait based on visa availability. EB-3 (skilled workers and professionals) requires a priority date earlier than September 1, 2024. On the family side, spouses and minor children of green card holders (F2A) are current through July 22, 2026.
USCIS announces separately, each month, whether applicants must file using the Final Action Dates chart above or the more generous “Dates for Filing” chart. We check the current determination at uscis.gov/visabulletininfo before every filing.
Current I-485 Filing Fees
USCIS’s current fee schedule sets the I-485 filing fee at $1,440 by mail or $1,390 filed online for applicants age 14 and older. A child under 14 filed together with a parent pays $950. The former $85 biometric services fee is no longer billed separately — it is folded into these totals. Fee waivers on I-485 are narrow: they are generally limited to VAWA self-petitioners, T visa holders, U visa holders, and Special Immigrant Juveniles. Standard family- and employment-based applicants are not eligible for a fee waiver regardless of income.
Eligibility alone does not get you a green card — a visa number does, and that number is governed by a calendar the government resets every month.
What You Can File Alongside I-485
Most applicants can file Form I-765 (work authorization) and Form I-131 (travel permission, or “Advance Parole”) together with I-485 at no additional fee. Approval of these concurrent applications typically arrives well before the I-485 itself is decided, giving applicants the ability to work and travel while their green card case is pending.
Key Dates
Don’t assume you qualify for a fee waiver, and don’t assume your priority date is current just because it was last month — Visa Bulletin dates can retrogress as well as advance. Confirm your specific chart and date before submitting anything.
What You Should Do Now
- Confirm your priority date — check it against the August 2026 Final Action Dates for your category and country of chargeability.
- Budget accurately — plan for $1,440 (or $1,390 online) per applicant 14 and older, plus $950 per younger child filed with a parent.
- File smart — submit I-765 and I-131 alongside I-485 if you want work authorization and travel permission while your case is pending.
- Get a second set of eyes — a single missing document or fee miscalculation can delay a case for months.
Founding attorney of Ozek Law Firm, LLC, licensed in Maryland, New York, California and the District of Columbia, guiding individuals, families and businesses through immigration and business matters.
We’ll review your category, country of chargeability and documents, and tell you exactly when — and how — to file.
This article is provided by Ozek Law Firm, LLC for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. Fees and Visa Bulletin dates are current as of the August 2026 Visa Bulletin (published July 15, 2026) and USCIS Form G-1055 Fee Schedule; both change periodically. For advice about your specific situation, please consult a licensed attorney.
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