Official I-140 Fee 2026 Quick Answer
If you searched for the USCIS I-140 fee, I-140 filing fee, or USCIS fee schedule 2026 for Form I-140, the short answer is below.
Most searched employment-based filing fees
If you are comparing an employment-based green card case from start to finish, these are the fees most people need to price together.
| Step | Typical fee | Quick note |
|---|---|---|
| PERM labor certification | $0 federal filing fee | Employer still pays recruitment and attorney costs. |
| I-140 petition | $665 online / $715 paper | Use the I-140 calculator → |
| I-485 adjustment of status | $1,440 | Add EAD and travel costs → |
| I-765 with I-485 | $260 | Concurrent work permit filing. |
| I-131 with I-485 | $630 | Advance parole / travel document. |
I-140 Filing Fee and Petition Basics
Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, is filed by the employer or by a self-petitioner in categories like NIW or EB-1A. It is the key filing behind many searches for I-140 fee, I-140 cost, or I-140 processing fee.
PERM Labor Certification (DOL)
Required before filing I-140 for most EB-2 and EB-3 petitions. Filed with the Department of Labor, not USCIS. PERM itself has no federal filing fee, but employers incur significant recruiting and attorney costs.
I-485 — Adjustment of Status
Filed after I-140 is approved (or concurrently if a visa number is immediately available). Must wait for the Visa Bulletin priority date to be current for oversubscribed countries (India, China).
Employment-Based Categories Summary
| Category | Description | PERM? | Typical Wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1A | Extraordinary ability | No | 1–3 yrs (India: 3–5 yrs) |
| EB-1B | Outstanding researcher / professor | No | 1–3 yrs (India: 3–5 yrs) |
| EB-1C | Multinational manager / executive | No | 1–3 yrs |
| EB-2 | Advanced degree / exceptional ability | Usually yes | 1–3 yrs (India: 10–60+ yrs) |
| EB-2 NIW | National Interest Waiver (self-petition) | No | 2–4 yrs (India: 10–60+ yrs) |
| EB-3 | Skilled workers & professionals | Yes | 2–5 yrs (India: 10–60+ yrs) |
| EB-5 | Investors ($800K TEA / $1.05M standard) | No | 2–5 yrs (China: 5–10+ yrs) |
Total Government Fees by Scenario
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the USCIS I-140 fee in 2026?
The USCIS I-140 fee in 2026 is $665 if filed online and $715 if filed on paper. Those figures come from Form G-1055, USCIS Fee Schedule. They are the base petition fees only and do not include premium processing or later adjustment filing fees.
Can I keep my I-140 approval if I change employers?
Yes, under AC21 portability. If your I-485 has been pending for at least 180 days and your approved I-140 is from an old employer, you can change to a new employer in the same or similar occupational classification without losing your priority date or I-140 approval. Your new employer does not need to file a new I-140, though you may need to file an I-485J supplement.
How much does EB-1C cost in government filing fees?
An EB-1C case typically includes the I-140 fee of $665 online or $715 on paper, optional premium processing at $2,965, and the I-485 fee of $1,440 if adjusting status in the United States. That means government filing fees are usually $2,105 without premium processing or $5,070 with premium processing, not counting attorney or employer document-preparation costs.
What is the Asylum Program Fee for employment-based petitions?
An Asylum Program Fee of $600 applies to certain employment-based petitions filed by employers with 26 or more full-time equivalent employees (I-129H1, I-129H2B, I-129L, I-140). Small employers (25 or fewer FTEs) pay $300. Nonprofit organizations are exempt. This fee was introduced in the April 2024 final rule.
How much is the work permit fee in an employment-based green card case?
For an employment-based adjustment case, Form I-765 work authorization is $260 when filed with Form I-485. If you are asking about a standalone work permit outside adjustment of status, the fee depends on the eligibility category, so use the I-765 cost calculator to check your specific work permit price.
How long is the wait for India EB-2 in 2026?
The June 2026 Visa Bulletin shows India EB-2 Final Action Date at September 1, 2013. At current visa number consumption rates, India-born EB-2 and EB-3 applicants face estimated waits of 50–100+ years. This is due to the 7% per-country annual cap combined with enormous demand from India. EB-2 NIW does not bypass the country cap — India-born NIW applicants face the same queue.