Understanding Work and Travel Permit Costs

Introduction

As you move through the green card process, you’ll come across Form I-765 and Form I-131. Form I-765 allows you to apply for a work permit, while Form I-131 lets you request permission to travel outside the United States while your green card application is still pending. 

Though optional, these forms can be vital if you need to earn a living or visit family abroad during the waiting period. They help you stay connected to your responsibilities without putting your application at risk. Understanding the work and travel permit cost is a practical step in deciding whether to include them in your immigration process.

What is Form  I-765?

Form I-765 stands for “Application for Employment Authorization,” also known as a work permit,  which is used by individuals who want to work legally in the United States while the green card process is pending. 

It is submitted along with your green card application, but it is a separate application from the green card itself, and it requires its own processing time by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. If you get this form approved, you will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) that will allow you to work in the United States legally. 

What is Form I-131?

Form I-131 is the petition for applying for travel documents used by individuals who wish to travel abroad while their green card application is pending with the USCIS. It is also used as a reentry permit, refugee travel document, and advance parole document, which ensures that their application for adjustment of status is not canceled while they are traveling outside the United States and ensures that they have hassle-free returns.

What Is the Cost Associated With Form I-765 and Form I-131?

There is an extra cost associated with these forms, along with the adjustment of status form. Listed below are the costs of the various forms that are part of your green card application, along with the cost of Form I-765 & Form I-131 as per the latest update:

Form Type	Old Fee	New Fee (Effective from April 2024)	Fee Increase	Additional Cost (I-765 & I-131)
Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjustment of Status Application (Standalone)	$1,225	$1,440	$215	N/A
Form I-130 (Petition for  Relative Application)	$535	$675	$140	N/A
Form I-765 (Work Permit) (Optional)	$0 (when filed with I-485)	$260 (when filed with I-485)	$260	Included in the total below
Form I-131 (Travel Permit) (Optional)	$0 (when filed with I-485)	$630	$630	Included in the total below
Adjustment of Status (I-485 + I-130 + I-765 + I-131)	$1,760	$3,005	$1,245	$890 (form I-765 & I-131)

If an applicant files only for Adjustment of Status and Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative), the total cost is: 

1. I-485: $1,440
2. I-130: $675

Total: $2,115.

Now, if the applicant adds Form I-765, the total cost increases by $260, to $2,375. Similarly, if the applicant adds Form I-131, the total cost is $2,745. Moreover, if the applicant adds both, the price will be $3,005.

How Can Fileright Help You With Work and Travel Permit Costs?

It’s not always easy to figure out what’s right for your situation, and that’s where FileRight comes in. We understand that immigration paperwork can feel confusing and stressful. 

That’s why we’ve made it easier by breaking the forms down into simple, step-by-step instructions. This helps you avoid common mistakes that might delay or affect your application. With a FileRight application package, you’ll get:

1. Immigration Instant Error Report uses advanced technology to scan your application for missing or incorrect information, ensuring accuracy before submission.
2. We provide you with an Application Package Assembly Service. Once you complete your application, we print, assemble, and mail your package, including sticky notes for where you need to sign and a pre-paid envelope for easy submission to USCIS.
3. We give detailed instructions to help you prepare the required documents correctly.

We understand that government forms can be confusing. That’s why we built FileRight, so you can submit your immigration application with confidence and without errors.