Any immigration application is going to come with a filing fee, which is more expensive than most people think. Probably one of the most costly is the I-485 Adjustment of Status application, but this is because the filing fee includes the payment for three applications in total.


3 Applications Included in the I-485 Fee

The filing fee for an I-485 Adjustment of Status application pays for the following:

  • I-485 Adjustment of Status: allows those who are not US citizens or lawful permanent residents to become legal permanent residents in the United States through a process known as “adjustment of status.”
  • I-765 Employment Authorization: application for noncitizens of the United States who wish to work in the country.
  • I-131 Advanced Parole: grants permission for individuals with pending applications or cases to travel outside the United States without abandoning their immigration status.


Maximize the I-485 Fee

A lot of people are not aware that the filing fee for their I-485 Adjustment of Status application already pays for two other additional documents that they may need at some point while their case is pending. Hence, they make the mistake of not submitting an application for all three reliefs in one go.


Since all three filing fees are already paid for, it will benefit the applicant to go ahead and submit all three applications. This is so that they can have their green card or travel permit processed in the same package as their I-485.


It’s going to be a hassle, not to mention costly, to file the I-485 Adjustment of Status application alone. In case the applicant needs a work card or travel permit at some point, they will have to go through the entire process from the beginning and wait another couple of months for these documents to be issued.


Since the applicant is already paying for all three documents, they should maximize their payments and submit everything from the get-go. They can always hold on to their work card and travel permit until the need for them arises.