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, etc. This is why it is so important to plan everything accordingly, and the best way to do that is to partner with an experienced immigration lawyer who can answer any questions you may have. 

LaToya McBean Pompy immigrated to the United States from Jamaica herself. Her experience sparked an interest in helping many families be together in the U.S. by founding McBean Law. If you need help with your or a loved one’s visa, contact us here or call us today at (888)-462-4006 to schedule a private consultation with LaToya and her team of New York immigration lawyers who are here to help you.

If you are interested in more topics like this, please consider subscribing to our newsletter to get weekly updates on immigration news, relevant topics, and more! You can also find us on YouTube where we do weekly Q&A sessions.

How to Pay USCIS Fees? 

If you live in the U.S., you may pay your fees online using a debit/credit card or 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 

In order to be able to get an approved green card petition from USCIS, it is essential that the petitioner be the one to pay the necessary fees. If you are the petitioner, then you can pay, but 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.

USCIS recently updated their fees starting with April 1, 2024. Through March 31, 2024, the old fees listed below will still apply.

Common Petitions Filed 

• Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e): $535.00 through March 31, $675.00 starting April 1 – necessary for the K-1 visa 
• Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative: $535.00 through March 31, $625.00 online filing OR $675.00 paper filing starting April 1 – 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: $700.00 through March 31, $715.00 starting April 1 – necessary for the EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 visas. 
• Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant: $435.00 through March 31, $515.00 starting April 1 – 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: $3,675.00 through March 31, $11,160.00 starting April 1 – 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: $775.00 through March 31, $920.00 starting April 1 – 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: 

1. Form DS-160, used for the K-1 and K-3 visa: $160.00 
2. Form DS-260, used for an immigrant visa, not including the EB-4 visa: $325.00 
3. Form DS-261, used for the EB-4 visa: $325.00
4. Form DS-117, used for the SB-1, Returning Resident Visa: $205.00 
5. Affidavit of Support, paid by petitioners for all immigrant visas: $120.00 

Additional Application Fees

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

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 test 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. 

You will also have to pay the USCIS immigrant fee, which is $220.00 at moment. 

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: $410.00 through March 31, $470.00 online filing OR $520.00 starting April 1 – Used by those waiting on their Form I-130 to be processed. 

• Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status: $1,140.00 through March 31, $1,440.00 starting April 1- This is the main fee for applying for a green card through adjustment of status within the United States. For those 14 and under, the fee is $750.00 through March 31, $950.00 starting April 1, if they are filing with a parent’s Form I-485.

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

Whether you are seeking assistance with visa applications, green cards, citizenship, or any other immigration matter, we are here to help you every step of the way. Our mission is not just to provide legal services but to empower our clients with the knowledge and resources they need to achieve their immigration goals. With proper legal counsel, persistent preparation, and meticulous attention to detail, your success can become reality too. Partner with professionals like McBean Law to chart your visa journey’s triumph.

If you are interested in more topics like this, please consider subscribing to our newsletter to get weekly updates on immigration news, relevant topics, and more! You can also find us on YouTube where we do weekly Q&A sessions.

LaToya McBean Pompy is an immigration lawyer who immigrated to the United States from Jamaica. Her experience sparked an interest in helping many families be together in the U.S. by founding McBean Law. If you need help with your or a loved one’s visa, contact us here or call us today at (888)-462-4006 to schedule a private consultation with LaToya and her team of New York immigration lawyers who are here to help you.