Green Card Fees and USCIS Forms to Prepare For

Applying for a green card can be a long and expensive process. Both the duration and the expenses depend on what green card path you have chosen to pursue, what documentation you need to provide, how you came to the United States, and other factors. It is important to plan accordingly so you are not surprised by any unexpected fees and costs.

How to Pay USCIS Fees

If you live in the United States, you may pay your fees online using a debit or credit card, via bank transfer, by mail, or in person at the USCIS field office, depending on the form you are submitting.

If you live outside the U.S., check the International USCIS office website or contact your U.S. Embassy or Consulate for information on how to pay USCIS fees.

Petition Fees

To get an approved green card petition from USCIS, it is essential that the petitioner be the one to pay the necessary fees. If someone else is petitioning on your behalf, they must be the one to pay the fees.

Please keep in mind that these fees are subject to change, and you should always consult with a professional or the USCIS official resources, such as their Fee Calculator or Fee Schedule.

Our team at McBean Law has created a short, free guide to Green Card Fees that our readers can download and read.

Common Petitions Filed

• Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e): necessary for the K-1 visa.
• Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative: necessary for multiple visas, including the K-3, F-1, F-2A, F-2B, F-3, F-4 IR-1, IR-2, IR-5 visas.
• Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker: necessary for the EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 visas.
• Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant: necessary for the EB-4 visa. There is no fee if you are self-petitioning under VAWA or as a Special Immigrant Juvenile/Iraqi or Afghan national who worked for the U.S. government.
• Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur: necessary for the EB-5, C-5, T-5, R-5, and I-5 visas.
• Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative/Application for Advance Petition Processing of Orphan Petition: necessary for the IR-3, IR-4 visas.

Green Card Forms

After your petition has been processed and approved by USCIS, you will have to apply for a green card at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of origin. Depending on the type of visa you are applying for, you will need to submit one of the following forms:

• Form DS-160, used for the K-1 and K-3 visa
• Form DS-260, used for an immigrant visa, not including the EB-4 visa
• Form DS-261, used for the EB-4 visa
• Form DS-117, used for the SB-1, Returning Resident Visa
• Affidavit of Support, paid by petitioners for all immigrant visas

Additional Application Fees

You may need to pay additional fees to support your green card.

Everyone applying to immigrate to the U.S. must have a medical examination, which may include vaccination when necessary. The amount of this depends on the types of tests you need to have done to satisfy the U.S. government’s health requirements.

There are also certain administration fees you will need to pay during the green card process, and you will have to pay the USCIS immigrant fee.

Post-Application Fees

Once you are in the U.S. with an immigrant visa, you will need to pay additional fees to get a permanent residence status.

• Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization: Used by those waiting on their Form I-130 to be processed.
• Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status: This is the main fee for applying for a green card through adjustment of status within the United States.

Does USCIS Allow Fee Waivers?

There are certain circumstances where USCIS will grant a fee waiver. You will need to meet their eligibility criteria, but the form you are filing needs to be eligible for a fee waiver in the first place as well.

Planning Your Roadmap to Success

Whichever forms and fees you need for your immigration case, an experienced attorney can help. With proper legal counsel, persistent preparation, and meticulous attention to detail, even the most complex cases can be successful. Partner with professional immigration lawyers like the team at McBean Law to prepare for your green card journey.