For employers, foreign professionals, and families navigating the U.S. green card process, immigration filing fees are more than administrative details. A small mistake in a filing fee can cause a significant problem—particularly when an application or petition is rejected and the applicant loses valuable time.

 
The USCIS Form G-1055, Fee Schedule is the agency's official reference for filing fees and related charges. USCIS warns that applicants and petitioners must submit the correct fee and that an incorrect fee can result in rejection.
For employment-based immigration, two forms deserve particular attention: Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, and Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. 

The February 2026 edition of G-1055 should therefore be reviewed carefully by anyone preparing an employment-based green card filing. Understanding what changed—and what did not—can help employers, foreign nationals, and immigration counsel avoid  

USCIS uses Form G-1055 to publish the fees associated with its immigration benefit requests. The agency's Policy Manual explains that USCIS establishes fee amounts through regulation and publishes those fees through the Fee Schedule.
This makes G-1055 more than a simple price list. It is an important filing-compliance document.
A green card case may involve multiple USCIS forms, and each form can have its own filing fee, fee structure, or exemption. Depending on the case, an applicant may also file related applications, such as an employment authorization application or travel document application.
That is why relying on an old fee chart, a previous law-firm checklist, or information found online can be risky. 

Form I-140 is generally used by employers or other qualifying petitioners to request classification of a foreign worker as an employment-based immigrant.
The I-140 portion of the G-1055 should be reviewed first because the petition is often the foundation of an employment-based permanent residence strategy.
The key question is not simply, “How much does an I-140 cost?”

 
Instead, employers should confirm: 

      • The correct I-140 filing fee;
      • Whether any additional required fee applies to the particular petitioner;
      • Whether the case qualifies for a fee exemption or special treatment;
      • Whether premium processing is being requested separately;
      • Whether the filing package contains the correct edition of the relevant forms; and
      • Whether the payment method and amount comply with USCIS requirements. 

This is particularly important for employers sponsoring multiple workers. A mistake repeated across several cases can quickly become expensive. 

Form I-485 is fundamentally different from I-140.
While the I-140 generally concerns the immigrant petition and employment-based classification, the I-485 is the application through which an eligible individual in the United States seeks adjustment to lawful permanent resident status.
The G-1055 therefore needs to be reviewed separately for I-485 filings.
Applicants should pay close attention to the fee applicable to their specific I-485 filing category and circumstances. The fee schedule can also distinguish between applicants based on factors such as age or filing circumstances.
Another important consideration is whether related applications are being filed at the same time.
For example, an employment-based adjustment applicant may also seek employment authorization or advance parole. The applicant should not assume that the fees for these related applications are automatically included with the I-485 fee. 

One of the most important practical lessons from USCIS fee changes is that applicants should examine the entire filing package—not just one form.

 
An applicant preparing an I-485 package may also submit:

        • Form I-765 for employment authorization;
        • Form I-131 for travel authorization or advance parole;
        • Form I-693, when required;
        • Form I-864 or other supporting documentation when applicable; and
        • Other documents required by the specific immigration category. 

The applicable fees can depend on the filing circumstances and the fee schedule in effect at the time USCIS receives the filing.
Therefore, applicants should verify the current G-1055 rather than automatically copying fees from an older case. 

Immigration filing mistakes can have consequences far beyond the amount of the fee itself.
USCIS specifically states that a filing with an incorrect fee may be rejected.
A rejection can create delays at precisely the wrong time.
For an employer, the delay may affect workforce planning, onboarding, project assignments, or immigration timelines. For a foreign national, it may affect the timing of adjustment of status, work authorization, travel planning, or other immigration benefits.
This is why fee verification should happen immediately before filing—not weeks earlier when the legal team first begins preparing the case. 

For companies sponsoring foreign workers, immigration compliance is increasingly connected to business planning.
An employer may have several I-140 cases moving simultaneously, including EB-2, EB-3, multinational manager, extraordinary ability, or other employment-based classifications.
Each case should be reviewed individually.
Human resources departments should also avoid relying solely on historical filing instructions. A case filed successfully several months ago does not necessarily establish the correct fee for a new case.
USCIS regularly updates its forms and fee information, and the agency specifically directs users to the current G-1055 and its fee calculator for current information. 

For an individual applicant, the most important question is often not simply whether the I-485 fee increased or decreased.
The bigger question is:

“What will my complete filing package cost under the applicable USCIS rules?” 

An adjustment applicant should consider the I-485 itself together with any related applications and services being requested.
This is particularly important for families. A principal applicant and derivative family members may each have separate filings and potentially different fee considerations. 

A professional review can help identify the total expected government filing costs before the package is submitted.