US · Application requirements

US Green Card (I-485 / I-90) Requirements 2026

Q: How much is the I-485 filing fee?

Paper filing: $1,440 USD for adults 14 and over, $950 for children under 14 filing concurrently with a parent. Online filing is $50 less ($1,390 / $900). Biometrics are included in the I-485 fee. For renewing or replacing an existing green card, Form I-90 is $465 paper / $415 online.

Q: Are EAD and Advance Parole included in the I-485 fee?

No — this changed under the April 2024 USCIS fee rule. Form I-765 (EAD, work permit) requires a separate $260 fee even when filed concurrently with I-485. Form I-131 (Advance Parole, travel) requires a separate $630 fee. If you want both EAD and AP while your I-485 is pending, that's an additional ~$890 on top of the $1,440 base.

Q: How long does I-485 processing take?

Median processing is 8 to 28 months depending on category (family-based, employment-based, asylum) and which USCIS service center handles your case. Check egov.uscis.gov/processing-times for your specific category and field office.

Q: What is the difference between I-485 and I-90?

I-485 is for becoming a permanent resident — adjusting status from a non-immigrant visa or other lawful presence to a green card. I-90 is for renewing or replacing an existing green card that is expiring, lost, stolen, or damaged.

Q: Can I work while waiting for my green card?

Yes if you file Form I-765 (Employment Authorization Document, EAD) along with your I-485 — but I-765 requires its own $260 fee since April 2024. The EAD is typically issued 8–14 months after filing in 2026 (longer than the historical 4–8 months) and lets you work in any job while the green card application is pending.

Q: Can I travel internationally while my I-485 is pending?

Only if you have Advance Parole — file Form I-131 with or after your I-485 with its own $630 fee. Travel without Advance Parole is treated as abandoning the I-485 application and you will be denied re-entry.

Q: How long is a US green card valid?

Standard green cards are valid for 10 years, then renewed via Form I-90. USCIS has been auto-extending expiring green cards by 36 months on the I-90 receipt notice since late 2024 to ease travel/work-authorization gaps. Conditional green cards (issued through marriage in the first 2 years, or by investment) are valid for 2 years and require Form I-751 (marriage) or I-829 (investor) to remove conditions.

Foreign nationals already lawfully present in the US who are eligible for permanent residence — family sponsorship, employment-based categories, refugees/asylees, DV Lottery winners, and special programs. Renewal/replacement (I-90) is for existing green-card holders with an expiring, lost, or damaged card.

Issued by U.S. Department of State · Last verified May 28, 2026 · Official source ↗

At a glance

Application fee

I-485 adult — online: $1,390
I-485 adult — paper: $1,440
I-485 child <14 — online: $900
I-485 child <14 — paper: $950
I-90 renewal — online: $415
I-90 renewal — paper: $465
I-765 (EAD, optional add-on): $260
I-131 (Advance Parole, optional add-on): $630

as of May 28, 2026 · details

Processing time

I-485 adjustment: 8–28 months
I-90 renewal: 7–14 months
EAD (I-765) after I-485: 8–14 months

details

Issuing authority

U.S. Department of State

Who needs a US Green Card (I-485 / I-90)?

Where to apply

USCIS — file online via myUSCIS (recommended, $50 cheaper), or by mail to the USCIS service center designated for your category.

Fees

I-485 adult — online: $1,390
I-485 adult — paper: $1,440
I-485 child <14 — online: $900
I-485 child <14 — paper: $950
I-90 renewal — online: $415
I-90 renewal — paper: $465
I-765 (EAD, optional add-on): $260
I-131 (Advance Parole, optional add-on): $630

Form I-485 (adjustment of status): $1,440 paper, $1,390 online for adults 14+; $950 paper / $900 online for children under 14 filing with a parent. Form I-90 (renewal/replacement): $465 paper, $415 online. Biometrics are included. Note: since the April 2024 USCIS fee rule, Form I-765 (EAD, work permit) and Form I-131 (Advance Parole, travel) are NO LONGER included with I-485 — they require separate $260 and $630 fees respectively if you want them while the I-485 is pending.

Fees as of May 28, 2026. Confirm current amounts on the official source before paying.

What to bring

Documents and items you'll need at the appointment or with your application.

Form I-485 (or I-90 for renewal) signed and dated
Form I-693 (sealed Medical Examination & Vaccination Record) — for I-485
Supporting petition (I-130, I-140, I-589, etc.) for I-485
Two identical passport-style photos taken within the last 30 days
Copies of birth certificate, passport, I-94 (most recent entry record)
Tax returns for the prior 3 years
Government-issued photo ID copy

Need the photo specs?

Exact size, head height, background, and what gets rejected.

Open photo requirements →

How long does it take?

I-485 adjustment: 8–28 months
I-90 renewal: 7–14 months
EAD (I-765) after I-485: 8–14 months

I-485: typically 8–28 months depending on category and USCIS service center. I-90 renewal: 7–14 months.

Times vary by location, season, and individual case. Always check the official source for the current backlog before you book travel.

Official source

https://www.uscis.gov/i-485

Last verified May 28, 2026

Verify before applying. We compile this from official government sources and re-verify regularly. Fees, processing times, and rules change without notice — always confirm current information on the official site before you apply or pay any fee.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about applying for a us green card (i-485 / i-90).

How much is the I-485 filing fee? +

Paper filing: $1,440 USD for adults 14 and over, $950 for children under 14 filing concurrently with a parent. Online filing is $50 less ($1,390 / $900). Biometrics are included in the I-485 fee. For renewing or replacing an existing green card, Form I-90 is $465 paper / $415 online.

Are EAD and Advance Parole included in the I-485 fee? +

No — this changed under the April 2024 USCIS fee rule. Form I-765 (EAD, work permit) requires a separate $260 fee even when filed concurrently with I-485. Form I-131 (Advance Parole, travel) requires a separate $630 fee. If you want both EAD and AP while your I-485 is pending, that's an additional ~$890 on top of the $1,440 base.

How long does I-485 processing take? +

Median processing is 8 to 28 months depending on category (family-based, employment-based, asylum) and which USCIS service center handles your case. Check egov.uscis.gov/processing-times for your specific category and field office.

What is the difference between I-485 and I-90? +

I-485 is for becoming a permanent resident — adjusting status from a non-immigrant visa or other lawful presence to a green card. I-90 is for renewing or replacing an existing green card that is expiring, lost, stolen, or damaged.

Can I work while waiting for my green card? +

Yes if you file Form I-765 (Employment Authorization Document, EAD) along with your I-485 — but I-765 requires its own $260 fee since April 2024. The EAD is typically issued 8–14 months after filing in 2026 (longer than the historical 4–8 months) and lets you work in any job while the green card application is pending.

Can I travel internationally while my I-485 is pending? +

Only if you have Advance Parole — file Form I-131 with or after your I-485 with its own $630 fee. Travel without Advance Parole is treated as abandoning the I-485 application and you will be denied re-entry.

How long is a US green card valid? +

Standard green cards are valid for 10 years, then renewed via Form I-90. USCIS has been auto-extending expiring green cards by 36 months on the I-90 receipt notice since late 2024 to ease travel/work-authorization gaps. Conditional green cards (issued through marriage in the first 2 years, or by investment) are valid for 2 years and require Form I-751 (marriage) or I-829 (investor) to remove conditions.

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