Applying for a Green Card is not for free. There are many fees that must be paid depending on which stage in the application process you are, such as:
- Fees for petitions.
- Fees for application forms.
- Additional administrative fees.
- Additional fees to get LPR status after arriving in the United States.
Fees for Petitions
The petition fees must be paid to USCIS by the petitioner, so if someone else is petitioning on your behalf, they must pay the fee. The petition will not be processed if the fees are not paid. Below are the most common petitions filed, their cost, and the type of immigrant visa they are necessary for.
| Form | Necessary for Visas | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Form I-129F | K-1 visa | $535 |
| Form I-130 | K-3 visa, F-1 Immigrant visa, F-2A visa, F-2B visa, F-3 visa, F-4 visa, IR-1 visa, IR-2 visa, IR-5 visa | $535 |
| Form I-140 | EB-1 visa, EB-2 visa, EB-3 visa | $700 |
| Form I-360 | EB-4 Visa | $435 |
| Form I-526 | EB-5 Visa | $3,675 |
| Form I-600/600A | IR-3 visa, IR-4 visa | $775 |
| Form I-800/800A | IR-3 visa, IR-4 visa | $775 |
Green Card Application Fees
The fees of applying for a Green Card are as follows:
| Application form | Purpose | Fee |
| Form DS-160 | Applying for a K1 visa or a K3 visa. | $160 |
| Form DS-260 | Applying for an immigrant visa except for the EB-4 visa. | $325 |
| Form DS-261 | Applying for the EB-4 visa. | $325 |
| Form DS-117 | Applying for a Returning Resident Visa (SB-1 visa). | $205 |
| Affidavit of Support | Paid by petitioners during the application process for all immigrant visas. | $120 |
Supporting Fees
Besides the application fee for the forms, you will most likely have to pay other supporting fees during the process. The following are the most common fees that immigrant applicants must pay:
| Fee Type | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Examination Fees | Required medical exam and vaccinations before the visa interview | Varies by country |
| Administrative Fees | Translation, notarization, printing, and copying of required documents | Varies by country |
| USCIS Immigrant Fee | Fee required after visa approval and before travel to the US | $220 |
| DOL Labor Certification Fees | Costs for labor certification for EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 visas | Varies by market rates |
Fees to be Paid After Arriving in the United States
After arriving in the United States, you must pay some additional fees to get the status of legal permanent resident (LPR).There are two documents that applicants must usually pay and below are the rates for them:
| Form | Purpose | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Form I-765 | Application for Employment Authorization for K-3 visa holders awaiting Form I-130 processing | $410 |
| Form I-485 | Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status for adult immigrant visa holders | $1,140 |
| Form I-485 (for applicants under 14) | Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status for immigrant visa holders under 14 years old | $750 |