How Much Does a Green Card Cost in 2026?
There is no single Green Card cost in 2026. Government fees depend on whether you apply through adjustment of status in the United States or consular processing abroad, whether your case is family- or employment-based, the forms required, your age or filing category, and whether you apply for optional work or travel authorization.
| Green Card route | 2026 government fee snapshot | Other costs |
|---|---|---|
| Family-based adjustment of status | $2,015 online when eligible / $2,115 paper for Form I-130 + Form I-485 | Medical exam, translations, preparation or legal help |
| Family-based consular processing | About $1,305 with online I-130 / $1,355 with paper I-130 for one applicant when the $120 Affidavit of Support review fee applies | Medical exam, travel, documents |
| Employment-based adjustment | Form I-140 $665 online / $715 paper + applicable additional fees + Form I-485 $1,390 online when eligible / $1,440 paper | Medical exam, employer/legal costs, optional premium processing |
| Refugee/asylee adjustment | Depends on the applicable fee exemption or waiver rules | Medical and other individual costs |
| Diversity Visa | $330 DV fee per applicant, plus applicable adjustment or immigrant-processing fees | Medical exam, travel, documents |
Government fees can be calculated from the forms required for your route, while medical exams, legal or preparation services, translations, travel, and document costs vary.
Last verified: September 10, 2026. USCIS fees were checked against Form G-1055, Fee Schedule, edition 05/29/26. Department of State immigrant visa fees were checked against the current Schedule of Fees for Consular Services.
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What Changed With Green Card Fees in 2026?
Several fee and payment updates affect Green Card applicants in 2026, even though many base USCIS filing fees still trace back to the April 2024 fee rule.
Premium processing fees increased. Effective March 1, 2026, DHS increased the premium processing fee for eligible Form I-140 classifications from $2,805 to $2,965. Premium processing is optional and applies only to eligible petitions; it does not reduce the Form I-485 processing time.
Use the current USCIS fee schedule. USCIS published Form G-1055, Fee Schedule, edition 05/29/26. Applicants should verify the current fee immediately before filing rather than assuming that a fee used in 2024 or 2025 is still correct.
Online fees may be lower. Some forms have different paper and online filing fees when USCIS permits online filing.
Payment rules for mailed filings have changed. Since October 28, 2025, USCIS generally requires electronic payment for mailed benefit requests, such as ACH using Form G-1650 or card payment, with limited exemptions for qualifying paper payments.
Additional statutory fees may apply. Certain filings require additional fees under Public Law 119-21. USCIS states that these additional statutory fees are separate from USCIS-set filing fees and cannot be waived, even when another filing fee may qualify for a waiver.
Family-Based Green Card Cost in 2026
Family-based Green Card costs depend on whether the applicant files for adjustment of status in the United States or completes consular processing abroad. For adjustment of status, the main government fees commonly include Form I-130 and Form I-485, with additional fees if the applicant also files for employment or travel authorization.
Form I-130 Filing Fee
Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is generally filed by the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident sponsoring the qualifying family member.
| Filing method | Fee |
|---|---|
| Online | $625 |
| Paper | $675 |
The online filing fee is $50 lower than the paper fee. For eligibility, payment details, and other filing considerations, see our Form I-130 filing fee guide.
Form I-485 Filing Fee
Eligible family-based applicants already in the United States may use Form I-485 to apply for adjustment of status.
| Applicant | Paper | Online, when eligible |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Form I-485 | $1,440 | $1,390 |
| Child under 14 filing concurrently with a parent | $950 | $900 |
Not every Form I-485 category can be filed online. See our Form I-485 filing fee guide for current online-filing eligibility, exemptions, fee waivers, Supplement A fees, and payment requirements.
Family-Based Adjustment of Status Cost Example
For a standard applicant, the government-fee total depends on which forms are included:
| Forms included | Paper total | Online total when eligible |
|---|---|---|
| I-130 + I-485 | $2,115 | $2,015 |
| I-130 + I-485 + I-765 | $2,375 | $2,275 |
| I-130 + I-485 + I-765 + I-131 | $3,005 | $2,855 |
These examples use the reduced $260 Form I-765 fee associated with a qualifying fee-paid Form I-485 and, for the online example, the applicable lower online filing fees where online filing is available.
These totals include only the government filing fees for the forms shown. Medical examinations, vaccinations, translations, preparation or legal services, travel, document costs, and other personal expenses are not included.
Green Card Cost Through Consular Processing
If you apply for a Green Card from outside the United States, you generally complete consular processing after the underlying immigrant petition is approved. The government fees depend on the immigrant visa category, so the commonly cited $325 immigrant visa fee does not apply to every case.
| Fee | Typical amount |
|---|---|
| Family-based immigrant visa application | $325 per applicant |
| Employment-based immigrant visa application | $345 per applicant |
| Diversity Visa application | $330 per applicant |
| Affidavit of Support review fee, where required | $120 |
| USCIS Immigrant Fee | $235 |
The Department of State charges the immigrant visa application fee for each intending immigrant. Family-based applicants processed through the National Visa Center may also have to pay the $120 Affidavit of Support review fee, depending on the case. The Diversity Visa fee is currently $330 per applicant.
Example: Family-Based Consular Processing
For one family-based applicant whose case requires the Affidavit of Support review fee:
Online Form I-130:
$625 I-130 + $325 immigrant visa fee + $120 Affidavit of Support review fee + $235 USCIS Immigrant Fee = $1,305 in government fees
Paper Form I-130:
The same process with the $675 paper I-130 fee totals $1,355.
The USCIS Immigrant Fee is currently $235 for most people immigrating to the United States as lawful permanent residents.
These totals do not include medical examinations, vaccinations, translations, travel, civil-document costs, or optional legal or preparation services.
To determine which filing path applies to your situation, compare adjustment of status vs. consular processing.
Employment-Based Green Card Costs
Employment-based Green Card costs depend on the petition type, the employer or petitioner, whether the applicant adjusts status in the United States, and whether optional premium processing is requested. Unlike many family-based cases, employment-based petitions may also require an Asylum Program Fee in addition to the base Form I-140 filing fee.
Form I-140 Filing Fee
Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, is commonly filed by a sponsoring employer, although certain classifications allow self-petitioning.
| Filing method | Base fee |
|---|---|
| Online | $665 |
| Paper | $715 |
An additional Asylum Program Fee may apply when Form I-140 is filed. The amount depends on the type of petitioner:
| Petitioner | Additional Asylum Program Fee |
|---|---|
| Regular petitioner | $600 |
| Small employer / qualifying self-petitioner | $300 |
| Nonprofit organization | $0 |
This additional fee is separate from the Form I-140 base filing fee, so the total petition cost should be calculated based on the petitioner’s applicable category.
Form I-485 Filing Fee
An employment-based applicant who is eligible to adjust status in the United States generally pays the applicable Form I-485 filing fee discussed above. The fee varies by filing method and certain applicant categories.
For the current amounts and filing rules, see our detailed Form I-485 filing fee guide.
Optional Premium Processing
Certain eligible Form I-140 classifications can request faster petition processing by filing Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service. In 2026, the premium processing fee for eligible Form I-140 classifications is $2,965.
Premium processing is optional and applies only to eligible petitions. It does not expedite Form I-485 processing or make an immigrant visa number available sooner.
For eligibility and processing periods, see our premium processing guide.
Work and Travel Document Fees While Form I-485 Is Pending
Applicants with a pending Form I-485 may also apply for employment authorization or travel authorization while their Green Card application is being processed. These benefits require separate applications and, in many cases, separate filing fees.
| Form | Purpose | Current fee |
|---|---|---|
| Form I-765 with a qualifying fee-paid Form I-485 | Employment authorization | $260 |
| Form I-131 Advance Parole based on a pending Form I-485 | Travel authorization | $630 paper / $580 online when eligible |
The reduced $260 Form I-765 fee generally applies when the applicant filed Form I-485 with the required fee on or after April 1, 2024 and that Form I-485 remains pending. USCIS lists the same $260 fee for paper and online I-765 filing in this category.
For Advance Parole based on a pending Form I-485, USCIS currently lists a $630 paper filing fee and $580 online filing fee where online filing is available.
Forms I-765 and I-131 are optional for applicants who need the benefits they provide. Their fees are separate from the Form I-485 filing fee.
What About Form I-90 and Form I-751 Fees?
Form I-90 and Form I-751 generally apply after a person has already obtained lawful permanent resident status, so their filing fees are not part of the initial cost of getting a Green Card.
Form I-90 is generally used to renew or replace a Permanent Resident Card. See the current Green Card renewal and replacement fees for filing costs and requirements.
Form I-751 is used by certain conditional permanent residents to request removal of conditions on residence. See the current Form I-751 filing fee for applicable costs and filing details.
Refugee and Asylee Green Card Fees
Green Card filing fees for refugees and asylees are not necessarily the same, so they should be treated separately.
Refugees
Qualifying refugees filing Form I-485 generally have a $0 USCIS filing fee under the current Form G-1055 fee schedule. This includes applicants adjusting status based on refugee status or who were paroled into the United States as refugees.
Asylees
Asylees should not assume that Form I-485 is automatically free. The applicable Form I-485 fee or fee-waiver treatment depends on the applicant’s filing category and current USCIS fee rules.
Applicants who may qualify for a waiver should review the current USCIS requirements before filing. See our immigration fee waiver guidelines for eligibility and filing information.
Diversity Visa and EB-5 Costs
Diversity Visa
Diversity Visa selectees applying for an immigrant visa currently pay a $330 Diversity Visa fee per applicant. Additional costs may include the medical examination, required vaccinations, travel, civil documents, and other expenses. Applicants completing adjustment of status in the United States may also have applicable USCIS filing fees depending on their processing route.
EB-5 Immigrant Investor
EB-5 applicants currently pay $3,675 to file Form I-526 or Form I-526E under the current USCIS fee schedule. An initial Form I-526E generally also requires a separate $1,000 EB-5 Integrity Fund fee.
These filing fees are separate from the required investment. The minimum investment is generally $800,000 for a qualifying targeted employment area or infrastructure investment and $1,050,000 for other qualifying investments.
Because USCIS fee schedules can change, verify the current Form G-1055 before filing.
Green Card Fee Waivers, Exemptions and $0 Fees
Some Green Card-related filings may have a $0 filing fee, while others may qualify for a fee waiver. These are different situations, and not every USCIS fee can be waived.
Fee Exemption
A fee exemption applies when USCIS lists $0 as the filing fee for a specific form and filing category. No Form I-912 or separate fee-waiver request is needed for an exempt filing. However, a $0 fee does not by itself establish that an applicant is eligible for the underlying immigration benefit.
Fee Waiver
A fee waiver applies when a filing fee normally exists, but USCIS may waive it for an eligible form and applicant. Applicants generally request a waiver using Form I-912 or another permitted written request.
For eligibility requirements and filing steps, see our immigration fee waiver guidelines.
Fees That Cannot Be Waived
Certain additional fees imposed by Public Law 119-21 cannot be waived. If one of these statutory fees applies, it must still be paid even when USCIS approves a waiver of the separate USCIS-set filing fee.
Applicants should therefore check the current Form G-1055 for both the filing fee and any additional statutory fee before submitting an application.
Other Green Card Costs Beyond Government Fees
Government filing fees are only one part of the total cost of getting a Green Card. Applicants may also have to pay for medical, document, travel, and professional-service expenses, depending on their case.
How we calculate Green Card costs: Government totals in this guide include only the USCIS and U.S. Department of State fees listed for the forms and processing routes shown. Medical, translation, travel, legal, and application-preparation costs are listed separately because these expenses vary by applicant and provider.
| Expense | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Medical examination | Cost varies by USCIS-designated civil surgeon or medical provider |
| Vaccinations | Additional cost may apply if required vaccinations are not already documented |
| Document translation | Cost varies by the type and number of documents and the translation provider |
| Legal or preparation assistance | Cost varies based on the case, provider, and level of service |
| Civil documents | Fees may apply for certified copies or replacement birth, marriage, police, or other records |
| Photos | Passport-style photo costs vary by provider |
| Travel | Costs may apply for medical appointments, biometrics, interviews, or consular processing |
For complete list of required documents, see our Green Card documents checklist.
How to Pay Green Card Fees
How you pay Green Card-related fees depends on where and how you file:
- USCIS online filing: Pay the required fee electronically through your USCIS online account using the payment options USCIS provides.
- USCIS mailed filing: USCIS generally requires electronic payment. Use Form G-1650 for eligible ACH payments or Form G-1450 for card payments. A limited paper-payment exemption may be requested with Form G-1651 when eligible.
- Consular processing: Immigrant visa and Affidavit of Support fees are generally paid online through the Department of State’s CEAC system.
- USCIS Immigrant Fee: Pay this fee separately online after your immigrant visa is issued, preferably before traveling to the United States.
Always check the current fee and accepted payment method before filing. An incorrect fee or payment method can cause USCIS to reject the submission.
Green Card Cost FAQs
How much does a Green Card cost in 2026?
There is no single Green Card cost. A standard family-based adjustment-of-status case may have $2,015 in government fees when eligible for applicable online filing fees or $2,115 with paper filing for Forms I-130 and I-485 alone. Family-based consular processing may have lower government fees, but medical, travel, translation, legal, and preparation costs vary.
How much are Form I-130 and Form I-485 together?
Form I-130 plus Form I-485 currently totals $2,115 with paper filing or $2,015 using the applicable online fees when eligible. These totals exclude optional Forms I-765 and I-131 and variable costs such as medical exams, translations, legal help, or preparation services.
Is consular processing cheaper than adjustment of status?
For many family-based cases, government filing fees for consular processing are lower than adjustment of status. For example, a typical family-based consular case may total about $1,305–$1,355 in government fees, where the $120 Affidavit of Support review fee applies. Actual total costs can still vary because of medical examinations, travel, documents, translations, and other expenses.
Can Green Card filing fees be waived?
Some Green Card-related filing fees may qualify for a fee waiver, but eligibility depends on the form, filing category, and applicant. A fee exemption is different: USCIS lists the required fee as $0 for an exempt category. Not every fee can be waived, and certain statutory fees must still be paid. Check Form G-1055 and the Form I-912 requirements before filing.
Are Green Card fees refundable if USCIS denies the application?
USCIS filing fees are generally nonrefundable, even if USCIS denies the application or petition. The fee pays for processing and adjudicating the request, not for approval. Limited refunds may be available in situations involving USCIS error, such as collecting an incorrect fee or requiring an unnecessary filing.
Prepare Your Green Card Application
Government filing fees are only one part of preparing a Green Card application. Before filing, confirm which forms apply to your case, the current USCIS or U.S. Department of State fees, the supporting evidence required, and the accepted payment method.
ImmigrationDirect provides guided preparation for supported immigration forms, including Form I-130 and Form I-485, helping you complete the required information before filing with USCIS.
