Calculate the total cost of US immigration including USCIS filing fees, biometrics, medical exams, translation costs, and attorney fees. Uses real 2025 USCIS fee schedule.
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Family-Based Green Card
| I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) | $535 |
|---|---|
| I-485 (Adjustment of Status) | $1,440 |
| I-765 (Work Permit / EAD) | $0 |
| I-131 (Advance Parole) | $0 |
| Biometrics Fee | $85 |
| Medical Examination | ~$350 |
| Translation & Documents | ~$200 |
| Travel Costs | ~$300 |
| Cost per Applicant (single) | $2,610 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $2,910 |
| Estimated Timeline | 12–36 months (immediate relative) or 2–20+ years (preference categories) |
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
USCIS fees change periodically. These estimates are based on the 2025 fee schedule. Always verify current fees at uscis.gov. This calculator provides estimates only and is not legal advice.
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USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) updated its fee schedule in April 2024, with significant increases across most form types. These fees fund USCIS operations — the agency receives no congressional appropriations and relies entirely on application fees. Understanding the current fee structure is essential for budgeting your immigration journey.
The most commonly filed forms and their current fees: I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative): $535, used for family-based immigration. I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers): $700, used for employment-based green cards. I-485 (Adjustment of Status): $1,440, the green card application itself. N-400 (Application for Naturalization): $725, for citizenship. I-129 (Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker): $780, for H-1B and other work visas. I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé): $535, for K-1 visa. I-765 (Employment Authorization): $0 when filed with I-485, or $410 standalone. I-821D (DACA): $0 for the DACA request itself, but $410 for the associated EAD.
A family-based green card is the most common path to permanent residency. For an immediate relative (spouse, parent, or unmarried child under 21 of a US citizen), the total costs typically include:
USCIS filing fees: I-130 ($535) + I-485 ($1,440) + biometrics ($85) = $2,060. Medical examination: $200-500 (varies by doctor and location; includes required vaccinations). Document translation and preparation: $100-300. Passport photos: $15-30. Travel for interview: $0-500 (depends on whether consular processing or adjustment of status). Attorney fees (if used): $2,500-6,000. Total range: $2,400-$9,400 per applicant.
For preference category relatives (siblings, married children of citizens, family of green card holders), the same fees apply but processing takes significantly longer — 2 to 20+ years depending on the category and the applicant's country of birth. During this wait, circumstances can change, additional fees may arise, and legal advice becomes more valuable.
Employment-based green cards involve the employer in the process, and many employers cover some or all fees. The full cost breakdown: PERM Labor Certification: $0 (no USCIS fee, but employer pays recruitment costs of $5,000-$15,000). I-140 petition: $700 (often employer-paid). I-485 adjustment: $1,440 (may be employer or employee-paid). Premium processing for I-140: $2,805 (optional, guarantees 15-day processing). Biometrics: $85. Medical exam: $200-500. Total employee costs: $1,725-$2,025 if employer covers I-140. Total with premium processing: $4,530-$4,830. Attorney fees for EB cases typically run $5,000-$10,000, often employer-paid.
H-1B costs are primarily employer-paid by law. The employer must cover: I-129 petition fee ($780), H-1B registration fee ($215), Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee ($500), ACWIA training fee ($750 for employers with under 25 employees, $1,500 for 25+). Optional premium processing: $2,805. The employee may need to cover: Visa stamping fee ($190 at a US consulate abroad), travel costs, and any personal legal consultation. Total employer cost: $2,245-$5,800. Total employee cost: $190-$500.
Becoming a US citizen is relatively straightforward in cost: N-400 filing fee: $725, biometrics: $85. English/civics test preparation: $0 (free resources) to $500 (private tutoring). Attorney fees (if needed): $500-$2,000. Total: $810-$3,310. Fee waivers are available for N-400 if your household income is below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or you receive means-tested benefits.
Beyond USCIS fees, budget for: lost wages during appointments and interviews (USCIS appointments are during business hours), certified copy fees for birth certificates and court records ($10-50 each), notarization fees ($10-25 per document), postage for mailing applications ($20-50 certified mail), premium processing when standard processing creates work authorization gaps, and the cost of maintaining valid status during long processing times (may require visa extensions at $370-$780 each).
⚠️ Disclaimer: USCIS fees change periodically. The fees listed are current as of early 2025. Always verify fees on the official USCIS fee schedule before filing.
USCIS allows fee waivers on several common forms, including N-400 (citizenship), I-485 (green card adjustment), I-765 (work permit), and I-131 (advance parole). You may qualify if: your household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you receive means-tested benefits (Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, TANF), or you're experiencing financial hardship that prevents payment.
To request a fee waiver, file Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver) with your application. Include proof of income, benefits statements, or a hardship explanation. If approved, you pay $0 in filing fees. For a family-based green card, this could save $1,500+ in fees. The fee waiver does not cover biometrics ($85), but even that may be waived in hardship cases.
Important: fee waivers are not available for all forms. I-130, I-140, and I-129 (employer petitions) do not have fee waivers. Premium processing fees are never waivable. And receiving a fee waiver does not negatively affect your immigration case — it's a standard USCIS process.
Many immigration applications can be filed without an attorney. The forms most suitable for DIY filing are: N-400 (Naturalization): Straightforward for most applicants. USCIS provides detailed instructions. Success rate for properly filed applications is very high. I-130 (Family Petition): Relatively simple for immediate relatives (spouse, parent, child). Clear eligibility criteria. DACA Renewal: If you've filed before, renewal is nearly identical. I-765 (Work Permit): When filed with I-485, the instructions are clear.
Cases where consider strongly consider an attorney: prior immigration violations or deportation orders, criminal history (even minor), complex family situations, employment-based cases requiring PERM labor certification, cases involving waivers of inadmissibility, and any case where denial could have severe consequences (deportation risk).
Free and low-cost legal resources: Legal Aid organizations (lawhelp.org connects you to local providers), BIA-accredited representatives (non-attorney representatives authorized to practice immigration law, often at nonprofits), law school clinics (many law schools run immigration clinics staffed by supervised students), and USCIS self-help resources (uscis.gov provides forms, instructions, and processing guides).
Filing early is one of the best cost-saving strategies. If you file 6+ months before a deadline (visa expiration, DACA expiration, etc.), you can use standard processing and avoid premium processing fees of $2,805. Many people pay for premium processing because they waited too long and need expedited results to maintain work authorization.
Concurrent filing (filing I-130 and I-485 simultaneously, when eligible) saves months of processing time and gets you a work permit and travel document faster. This is available for immediate relatives of US citizens filing adjustment of status. It doesn't save filing fees, but it significantly reduces total cost by shortening the time you spend in limbo (potentially unable to work or travel).
Immigration attorney fees are negotiable. Get quotes from at least three attorneys before committing. Ask about: flat fee vs. hourly billing (flat fee is more predictable), what's included (filing, representation at interview, responses to RFEs), payment plans (many attorneys offer installment payments), and unbundled services (attorney reviews your DIY application for a flat fee of $200-500 instead of handling the entire case).
Average attorney fees by case type: N-400 citizenship: $500-$2,000. Family-based green card: $2,500-$6,000. Employment-based green card: $5,000-$10,000. H-1B: $2,000-$4,000. K-1 fiancé visa: $2,500-$5,000. Removal defense: $5,000-$15,000+.
A family-based green card costs $2,400-$9,400 total including USCIS fees ($2,060), medical exam ($200-500), documents ($100-300), and optional attorney fees ($2,500-6,000). Employment-based green cards cost $1,725-$10,000+.
No. USCIS filing fees are non-refundable, even if your application is denied. The only exception is if USCIS rejects your application for a technical reason (wrong fee, missing signature) — in that case, your check isn't cashed.
Yes, for certain forms (N-400, I-485, I-765, I-131). You may want to demonstrate financial hardship, low income (below 150% FPL), or receipt of means-tested benefits. File Form I-912 with your application.
Not always. Simple cases (citizenship, DACA renewal, straightforward family petitions) can often be filed DIY. Complex cases (criminal history, prior violations, employment-based) strongly benefit from legal representation.
It varies enormously: DACA renewal (3-8 months), H-1B (3-6 months), citizenship (8-14 months), family green card for immediate relatives (12-36 months), employment green card (1-5+ years).
The USCIS naturalization application fee is $710 including biometrics. Add legal fees of $1,500-$3,000 if using an attorney, plus costs for English and civics test preparation. Total naturalization costs range from $710 to $4,000 depending on your situation.
Beyond filing fees, budget for medical exams at $200-$500, document translations at $30-$100 per page, photos, travel to USCIS offices, and time off work for appointments. Immigration attorney fees range from $2,000-$10,000 depending on case complexity.
Family-based green cards cost $1,760 in USCIS fees and take 12-36 months. Employment-based green cards cost $2,500-$5,000 in fees and take 1-10 years depending on category and country of birth. Attorney fees add $3,000-$10,000 to total costs.
Yes, you can self-file most USCIS applications. Forms are free online. However, mistakes can cause delays or denials costing more than attorney fees. Self-filing works best for straightforward cases. Complex situations benefit from professional legal guidance.
Sponsors must demonstrate income at 125% of federal poverty guidelines for their household size. For a family of four in 2024, that is about $37,500 annually. Joint sponsors or assets worth 3-5 times the shortfall can substitute for insufficient income.
Total Cost = USCIS Filing Fees + Biometrics + Medical Exam + Documents + Travel + Attorney
⚠️ Fees are based on the 2025 USCIS fee schedule. Always verify at uscis.gov/fees before filing.
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Calculations are for educational purposes only. Consult a qualified financial advisor for personalized advice.