Rebecca A
May 25, 2025
I-485 under VAWA, 0$?
Hi everyone,
I got my VAWA approved on April 25th and received my EAD now I’m finally ready to file for Adjustment of Status (I-485).
I had an immigration attorney who helped me with my VAWA case, but it was very expensive and I’m still paying that off. So now, to save money, I’m trying to do the AOS process on my own — taking my time, carefully reading all the USCIS instructions and making sure I do everything right.
Here’s where I need help from others who’ve gone through this:
While checking the USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055), I noticed that for applicants filing under VAWA, it says the filing fee for the I-485 is $0. It sounds amazing — but honestly, it feels too good to be true 😅
The case manager from my attorney’s office told me I would still have to pay around $1,400 just in government filing fees, even without legal help. But now I’m seeing it written officially on the USCIS website that it’s $0 for VAWA self-petitioners, and I’m really confused.
So if you’ve been through this recently — especially if you got your VAWA approved this year and are applying for AOS — could you please tell me what your experience was?
Did you actually pay the filing fee or not?
Any help or confirmation would be really appreciated. Thank you so much! 🙏
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haada haadaMay 25, 2025
Filing an application under vawa is actually free but you still pay about $1750 in filing fees… my vawa was approved last year and my GC this May… So yes it feels too good to be true.. If you can fill out the form, understand each instructions then go ahead and do it yourself….
Ibe trust GodMay 25, 2025
you still have to pay it. I remember when i filled in 2021 my whole I 485 application got rejected but they accepted my vawa application
Waiting CatMay 25, 2025
Because you are working, I assume because of EAD card, you might not qualify for the fee waiver. "To be eligible for a USCIS fee waiver, your household's total annual income must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. You'll need to file Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver) along with your immigration application" from Google AI search.
Dee GraceMay 25, 2025
@Rebecca A Filling fee for I-485 after approved VAWA is $0. You do not have to pay anything. Fill your form, attach supporting docs (Approved vawa notice, medicals, birth certificate, divorce certificate (if applicable), 2 passport photographs, copy of your DL), mail it to Nebraska. Once again, it’s free and you don’t even have to apply for a fee waiver at all. Before April 1, 2024, the I-485 filing fee for VAWA applicants was $1,440. After April 1, it became free so you’re good to go.
tired from waitinggMay 25, 2025
its been $0 for a while so you wont be pay penny
Romeo rivMay 25, 2025
it’s totally free, don’t forget to send in your miedicals as well. that’s the only thing you’ll paying for.
nono edesMay 25, 2025
it's is free no filing fees
Rebecca AMay 25, 2025
Thank you so much to everyone who replied to my comment 💓
I really appreciate it! @Dee Grace you were right about the adjustment of status being free under VAWA since April 2024. That’s such a huge relief, honestly.
Also, big thanks to @Dee Grace and @Romeo riv who mentioned the medical exam form. I had seen in some articles that we could send it later, but apparently now we have to send it when we file for adjustment of status or it get denied. I wouldn’t have double-checked that if you hadn’t brought it up, so thank you!
Now that I know I don’t have to worry about the AOS fee, I can just focus on paying for the medical exam and getting everything sent. I was really stressing about having to pay for the exam, the AOS fees, and still making payments to my lawyer for the VAWA case. I was honestly thinking I’d wait a month and save up to do it all at once.
I did get my work permit a few weeks ago, and I went to the SSA office to apply for my Social Security number. They told me I have to wait about four more weeks while they verify my identity. So technically I could start working now, but the job that’s waiting for me prefers I have the SSN first — which makes things a bit harder financially right now.
So yeah, this news really made my day. Thank you again to everyone who shared info or reminded me of things. I hope more people going through this process find out about it too. God bless you all 💛
GOD HAVE MERCYMay 25, 2025
@Rebecca A Don’t forget to submit your I-485 at the nearest USCIS-NBC, not Vermont or Nebraska Center
Margaret walkerMay 26, 2025
My attorney did same mistake in 2021 filing 485 without the fee, it was rejected until I paid in 2022. My Vawa was approved in may 2024 and my Green card in Feb 2025.
Honestly you don’t need a lawyer, I will advise you to file yourself. I paid an attorney for mine and it got messed up. I had to do it myself. All you need is the same thing you submitted in your vawa.
Ask your friends to write about your marriage in good fate, it must be notorized, do your background clearance from the police department near you. Do your medical. Add whatever both of you had in the past like lease etc.
you are good to go
Muhammad E.May 26, 2025
lookup nonprofit organizations that help VAWA applicants and they will file for you
