For anyone planning to apply for a Green Card, understanding the full cost picture before filing is an important part of the process. Between government filing fees, medical examination costs, and optional services, the total investment can vary widely depending on how and where you apply. One fee that often catches applicants off guard is the USCIS immigrant fee — a separate charge due after visa approval that covers the cost of producing the physical Green Card. This guide breaks down what to expect across the most common application pathways.
What the USCIS immigrant fee is
The USCIS immigrant fee is a $235 charge assessed to applicants who obtain their Green Card through consular processing — that is, those who applied from outside the United States and received their immigrant visa through a U.S. embassy or consulate. It is paid separately to USCIS after visa approval and covers the production and mailing of the physical Permanent Resident Card.
Applicants who obtain their Green Card through adjustment of status from within the United States do not pay this fee separately, as the cost is incorporated into the Form I-485 filing fee.
Overall Green Card cost ranges
The total cost of a Green Card depends on the application pathway — family-based or employment-based — and whether the applicant is inside or outside the United States at the time of filing. The following ranges reflect government filing fees only and do not include attorney fees.
For family-based Green Cards, total government filing fees are generally in the range of $1,300 or more through consular processing and $2,300 or more through adjustment of status.
For employment-based Green Cards, total government filing fees are generally $1,500 or more through consular processing and $3,000 or more through adjustment of status. In employer-sponsored cases, the employer typically pays the petition-side costs, while the applicant is generally responsible for adjustment of status and related fees.
Attorney fees, where applicable, typically add $3,000 to $10,000 or more depending on the complexity of the case.
Key fees by form
The following fees reflect the primary forms involved in most Green Card applications. All figures are drawn directly from the source document, which reflects fees as of February 2026. Fees are subject to change and should be verified on the USCIS filing fees page before submitting any application.
Initial petition fees:
● Form I-130 (family-based petition): $625 online or $675 by mail
● Form I-140 (employment-based petition): $665 online or $715 by mail
Green Card application fees:
● Form I-485 (adjustment of status, age 14 and older): $1,390 online or $1,440 by mail; $950 for children under 14
● Form DS-260 (consular processing, family-based): $325
● Form DS-260 (consular processing, employment-based): $345
Additional fees that frequently apply:
● Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support, consular processing): $120, paid to the National Visa Center
● USCIS immigrant fee (consular processing applicants): $235
● Medical examination: $150 to $500 or more, paid to a USCIS-designated civil surgeon or panel physician
● Form I-765 (Employment Authorization Document, optional): $260
● Form I-131 (travel document, optional): $590 online or $630 by mail
● Form I-907 (premium processing, optional): $2,965 for 15-business-day review of Form I-140; 45 business days for EB-1C and EB-2 NIW cases
Green Card renewal costs
For permanent residents whose Green Card is expiring or who need to remove conditions, the relevant fees are as follows:
● Form I-90 (renewal or replacement of a 10-year Green Card): $415 online or $465 by mail
● Form I-751 (petition to remove conditions on a two-year marriage-based Green Card): $700 online or $750 by mail
● Form I-829 (petition to remove conditions for EB-5 holders): $3,750, with an additional biometrics fee potentially applicable
Additional costs to plan for
Beyond filing fees, several other expenses are frequently part of the Green Card process:
● Document gathering. Initial petitions require supporting documents — including birth certificates, marriage certificates, and evidence of qualifying relationships or achievements — some of which may involve fees to obtain or certify.
● Vaccination costs. Applicants who do not already meet U.S. vaccination requirements must receive required immunizations before their medical form can be completed.
● Translation services. Any documents not in English require certified translation, which typically involves professional fees.
● Travel costs. Attending biometrics appointments, medical examinations, and in-person interviews may require travel.
Fee waivers
USCIS permits certain applicants to request a fee waiver by filing Form I-912 if they can demonstrate financial hardship. Waivers may be available for certain forms including Form I-485, Form I-90, and Form I-751. Most applicants do not qualify, but those with demonstrable financial hardship should review current USCIS fee waiver guidance to determine whether they may be eligible.
The value of legal guidance
The Green Card process involves multiple forms, sequential fees, and deadlines where errors can result in rejection, delays, or additional costs. For applicants who want a clear picture of their total cost exposure and a strategy for managing the process efficiently, working with experienced immigration counsel is a practice frequently cited as a sound investment — particularly given the length and complexity of the overall timeline.
