How much is a green card in 2026? A family-based case generally starts at $2,065 for adjustment of status or $1,305 for consular processing, but age, filing method, category, medical care, and optional forms can change the total.
Key Takeaways
- A family-based adjustment-of-status case generally carries $2,065 in government fees when Form I-130 is filed online and the adult applicant pays the standard Form I-485 fee.
- Family-based consular processing generally carries $1,305 in government fees with an online Form I-130 filing.
- Work authorization and advance parole are no longer included in the standard adjustment-of-status fee.
- Medical examinations, vaccinations, translations, photographs, travel, records, and attorney services are separate expenses.
- Employment-based, humanitarian, and age-specific cases may use different fees or exemptions.
- Always confirm charges and filing instructions immediately before submitting an application.
How Much Is a Green Card in 2026?
There is no single green card price. Your total depends first on whether you apply from inside the United States through adjustment of status or complete consular processing abroad. It also depends on the underlying petition, the applicant's age, the eligibility category, and any work or travel documents requested while the case is pending.
The table below shows common government charges for a family-based case. Amounts reflect fee schedules available as of October 2, 2026. They do not include a medical examination or other third-party expenses.
| Government charge | Adjustment of status in the U.S. | Consular processing abroad | When paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form I-130 family petition | $625 online or $675 by paper | $625 online or $675 by paper | When the sponsor files the petition |
| Form I-485, standard adult fee | $1,440 | Not applicable | When requesting adjustment of status |
| State Department immigrant visa application fee | Not applicable | $325 | During National Visa Center processing |
| Affidavit of Support review fee | No separate review fee | $120 | During National Visa Center processing |
| USCIS immigrant fee | Not applicable | $235 | After visa approval and before or after U.S. entry |
| Separate biometrics charge | Included in the applicable Form I-485 fee | No separate USCIS charge in the standard case | Not separately paid |
| Common base total with online I-130 | $2,065 | $1,305 | Paid at different stages |
These totals describe a common family-based case, not every applicant. Before budgeting, identify the correct eligibility route by reviewing the green card requirements that apply to your circumstances.
Green Card Application Fees Inside the United States
An eligible applicant already in the United States may file Form I-485 to adjust status to permanent residence. The standard Form I-485 fee is $1,440. For a family case, the sponsoring relative will also normally file Form I-130, which costs $625 online or $675 on paper. That produces a common base government cost of $2,065 or $2,115 before medical and other expenses.
Applicants younger than 14 who file Form I-485 with at least one parent pay $950 for the adjustment application. Other age, category, and exemption rules may produce a different amount. Each person seeking permanent residence generally needs an individual adjustment application and fee, even when several relatives apply together.
A pending Form I-485 does not automatically include free employment or travel authorization. Form I-765 costs $260 when filed under the reduced-fee category available to certain adjustment applicants. Form I-131 generally costs $630. An adult family applicant filing an online I-130, a standard I-485, the reduced-fee I-765, and an I-131 would therefore face $2,955 in government filing fees.
Employment-based cases use different petition charges. Form I-140 has a $715 filing fee, and the petitioning employer may owe an additional Asylum Program Fee of $600, $300 for qualifying small employers, or $0 for qualifying nonprofit organizations. The applicant may then owe the applicable Form I-485 fee. The broader green card process explains how the petition and permanent residence application fit together.
Green Card Fees for Consular Processing Abroad
Consular processing usually begins with a USCIS petition and continues through the Department of State after approval. In a family case, Form I-130 costs $625 online or $675 on paper. The applicant then generally pays the $325 immigrant visa application processing fee, while the case carries a $120 Affidavit of Support review fee. After visa approval, the applicant pays the $235 USCIS immigrant fee.
Using an online I-130, those government charges total $1,305. A paper I-130 brings the total to $1,355. The charges are not paid together. The petition fee is due first, the National Visa Center fees become due after petition approval, and the USCIS immigrant fee follows visa approval. Medical examination and travel expenses remain separate.
Every immigrating relative generally needs an individual immigrant visa application and associated fee. A sponsoring relative does not obtain one group fee for an entire family. This can make a case with a spouse and children considerably more expensive than a single-applicant case.
Consular processing may have lower base government charges than adjustment of status, but cost alone does not determine the proper route. Eligibility, lawful status, visa availability, residence, and immigration history matter. Applicants in preference categories must also monitor their place in line. The explanation of green card priority dates can help you understand when an immigrant visa may become available.
Family Sponsorship Costs and Who Usually Pays Them
A family-based budget includes both sponsor-related and applicant-related charges. The U.S. citizen or permanent resident sponsor generally handles the Form I-130 petition and its fee. In a consular case, the sponsor commonly handles the Affidavit of Support documents and review fee. The intending immigrant generally handles the visa application, USCIS immigrant fee, medical examination, civil documents, and travel.
That division reflects the role attached to each filing, but relatives may decide between themselves who will provide the money. USCIS and the State Department focus on receiving the correct amount through an accepted method, not on which family member's account supplied it. Financial sponsorship obligations are different from simply paying filing fees. Signing an Affidavit of Support creates a legally enforceable support commitment when the form is required.
Marriage-based applicants should budget for certified copies of marriage, divorce, birth, and court records when relevant. They may also need additional evidence showing a genuine marital relationship. The filing fee does not cover the work required to collect, translate, and organize that evidence. Reviewing typical marriage green card interview questions can help couples identify missing records before an interview.
Family preference cases may remain pending until a visa number becomes available. During that period, applicants can incur new expenses for renewed passports, updated police certificates, replacement civil records, or travel. These costs are not additional green card charges imposed merely because the case is taking longer.
Medical Exams, Documents, and Other Variable Costs
Government filing fees are only part of the green card cost in the USA. Most applicants must complete an immigration medical examination with an authorized physician. Applicants adjusting status use a USCIS-designated civil surgeon. Consular applicants follow instructions for a panel physician approved for the relevant embassy or consulate. The physician sets the price, so USCIS does not publish one universal medical-exam charge.
Vaccinations can increase the medical bill if the applicant lacks required vaccinations or acceptable records. Ask the physician what the quoted price includes before the appointment. Do not assume laboratory work, follow-up visits, or vaccinations are included.
Other possible expenses include:
- Certified English translations of documents written in another language
- Passport-style photographs that satisfy current specifications
- Certified copies or replacements for birth, marriage, divorce, adoption, police, or court records
- Passport issuance or renewal
- Mailing, courier, and document-delivery services
- Transportation and lodging for medical appointments or interviews
- Attorney fees based on the services and difficulty of the case
Attorney fees are not government charges, and there is no official flat rate. Cost may rise when a case involves prior denials, arrests, unlawful presence, removal proceedings, inconsistent records, or a possible inadmissibility waiver.
If you are unsure which pathway or forms apply, have a complicating history, or need to coordinate sponsor and applicant filings, you can post your legal need on UpCounsel's marketplace. An immigration attorney can assess eligibility, identify the required filings and current fees, review supporting evidence, and prepare the submission. Responses typically arrive within a day, although timing varies.
Fee Waivers, Exemptions, and Ways to Avoid Extra Costs
A fee waiver is not available for every green card form or every applicant. USCIS permits waivers only for designated forms and eligibility categories. Some applicants qualify for a statutory fee exemption instead. For example, refugees applying to adjust under the applicable refugee provision do not pay the Form I-485 filing fee.
Where USCIS permits a waiver, the applicant generally requests it with Form I-912 or a written request that contains the required information. USCIS may consider receipt of a means-tested benefit, household income at or below the applicable threshold, or financial hardship. The supporting records and eligibility rules matter, so do not omit a filing fee merely because paying it would be difficult.
Several practical steps can prevent unnecessary expense:
- Use online filing when the relevant form offers a lower online fee.
- Confirm that you are using the current form edition and filing address.
- Do not request employment or travel documents unless they serve your needs.
- Check whether your category has an exemption or permits a waiver.
- Submit complete translations, signatures, and required evidence to reduce rejection or refiling risk.
- Calculate separate charges for every immigrating family member.
A denied application does not ordinarily produce a government filing-fee refund. Accuracy matters before payment. A rejected submission is different from a denial, but payment handling depends on how and where you filed. Follow the notice and current agency instructions instead of sending a duplicate payment automatically.
How to Verify Current Fees and Make Payments
Fees and payment rules can change. Immediately before filing, check the USCIS fee schedule, the page for each required form, and applicable State Department visa fees. USCIS.gov is the official website for USCIS forms, instructions, filing locations, editions, and fee information. State.gov provides immigrant visa guidance for applicants processing abroad.
Accepted payment methods depend on the form, filing method, and filing location. Online USCIS filings use the agency's online payment process. Lockbox and paper submissions must follow the payment directions in the current form instructions. National Visa Center charges and the USCIS immigrant fee use their designated online systems. Never assume that one combined payment is acceptable for unrelated forms.
Be cautious of unofficial websites that resemble government pages, promise guaranteed approval, or sell access to forms available without charge from the government. Filing fees pay for agency processing, not approval. Protect receipt numbers, account credentials, passport details, and payment information.
Searches for green card charges in Vienna, Virginia, Vienna, VA, Rockville, Maryland, Rockville, MD, or similar locations may refer to an unexplained merchant or card-statement entry rather than an immigration application fee. USCIS filing fees are federal and do not change simply because you live in Vienna or Rockville. If you do not recognize a transaction, contact the card issuer and use the merchant information on the statement. Do not treat a city name alone as proof of a legitimate immigration charge.
Costs for Renewal, Replacement, Travel, and Citizenship
The initial green card application cost is different from later immigration expenses. Most permanent residents use Form I-90 to renew an expiring 10-year card or replace a lost, stolen, damaged, or incorrect card. Conditional residents generally do not use Form I-90 to remove conditions. They must file the petition that applies to their conditional residence.
Form I-90 costs $415 when filed online or $465 on paper under the current fee schedule. Some replacement situations have no fee, such as correcting a card containing an error caused by DHS. The green card renewal fee article explains the renewal and replacement rules in more detail.
International travel creates different potential costs. A valid green card is generally evidence used for return after temporary travel, but lengthy absences can raise questions about abandonment of residence. Some residents seek a reentry permit before an extended trip, which involves a separate application and fee. Review the green card travel rules before making long-term plans abroad.
Naturalization is also a separate process. A permanent resident who becomes eligible files Form N-400 and pays the applicable naturalization fee unless a reduced fee or waiver applies. Green card fees do not prepay citizenship expenses. Eligibility depends on factors that can include the required period of permanent residence, continuous residence, physical presence, good moral character, English, and civics requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Have to Pay for a Green Card?
Yes, most green card applicants must pay one or more government processing fees. Payment does not purchase permanent residence or guarantee approval. It covers the government's handling of petitions, applications, visa processing, or card production. Certain humanitarian applicants and other designated categories may receive an exemption or request a waiver when the particular form permits one.
Does a Green Card Cost Money for Every Applicant?
No, a green card does not cost the same amount for every applicant, and some applicants pay no filing fee. Refugee adjustment is one example of a fee-exempt category. Other applicants may qualify for limited waiver provisions. Even without a government filing fee, an applicant could still face medical, vaccination, document, transportation, or professional-service expenses.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Replacement Green Card?
Replacement timing varies, so check USCIS's current Form I-90 processing-time information and your online case status. A receipt notice may extend evidence of permanent resident status when it accompanies an expired card. If you urgently need proof for work or travel, ask USCIS whether temporary evidence of status is available in your circumstances.
What Is the Green Card Renewal Fee in 2026?
The 2026 Form I-90 fee is $415 for online filing or $465 for paper filing. A fee may not apply when DHS issued a card with incorrect information because of an agency error or in another listed no-fee situation. Confirm the reason for filing and the current Form I-90 instructions before submitting payment.
Is a Green Card Valuable?
Yes, a green card provides lawful permanent resident status, including authorization to live and work permanently in the United States subject to immigration law. Its practical value depends on your plans and compliance with residence obligations. Permanent residence can be lost through abandonment, rescission, removal, or voluntary surrender, so the physical card is not an unconditional lifetime guarantee.
How Do You Apply for U.S. Citizenship From a Green Card?
You generally apply for citizenship by filing Form N-400 after satisfying the applicable naturalization requirements. Before filing, review your travel history, tax compliance, criminal record, selective service obligations when applicable, and the date permanent residence began. Some spouses of U.S. citizens may qualify under a different residence period than other permanent residents.
