How Much Does an EB-2 Green Card Cost?

An EB-2 Green Card typically costs several thousand dollars in government filing fees alone, not including attorney fees. The total depends on your specific case—whether you’re applying with employer sponsorship or through a National Interest Waiver (NIW), and whether you’re applying from inside or outside the United States.

How much does the EB-2 Green Card cost?

The total cost of an EB-2 Green Card varies, but government fees are generally between $1,500 and $5,000. Lawyer fees could cost you another $6,000 to $20,000.

Factors that impact the cost of your visa include whether or not you apply domestically, whether you file under the national interest waiver (NIW), and how much your lawyer charges in fees.

Cost breakdown of the EB-2 Green Card

As of February 2026, the cost of an EB-2 Green Card can be broken down into the following categories:

• Initial visa petition: All EB-2 applicants need to start with Form I-140, which usually costs about $900 to $1,200 (including an Asylum Program Fee). Your employer will likely pay this.
• Green Card application: If you live in the U.S. already, you’ll file Form I-485 for adjustment of status, $1,440 (by mail) or $1,390 (online). If you live in another country, you’ll file Form DS-260 for consular processing ($345).
• Optional expedited processing: All EB-2 applicants have the option to pay for premium processing to receive a faster decision on their I-140. This costs almost $3,000 but your employer may pay it.
• Medical examinations: These differ by country and provider but you could spend $200 or more.
• Non-government expenses: Things like necessary credential evaluations, translation services, or travel will add to your total cost.
• Attorney fees: While this can easily cost $10,000 or more, EB-2 cases require detailed supporting documents and having a strong application from the start can save you significant time and money.
• PERM Processing: There’s no direct cost to file Form ETA-9089, but companies often have to account for attorney and recruitment costs.

Comparing EB-2 and EB-2 NIW costs

The main government forms are largely the same for both EB-2 PERM and EB-2 NIW, including Form I-140 and the green card application (I-485 or DS-260).

The key cost difference comes down to employer sponsorship:

EB-2 PERM (employer-sponsored): Employers typically pay for the PERM process, the I-140 filing fee, and often premium processing. This can significantly reduce your personal costs.

EB-2 NIW (self-petition): You file on your own and are responsible for all filing fees and legal costs.

In short, NIW cases often cost the applicant more out of pocket because there is no employer to share expenses.

What to expect in attorney fees for EB-2 cases

Attorney fees for EB-2 Green Cards vary based on case complexity, the attorney’s experience and location, and whether fees are flat-rate or hourly.

EB-2 NIW cases are often more expensive than employer-sponsored EB-2 PERM cases because NIW petitions require extensive evidence and a detailed legal brief proving that your work has national importance and merit.

In general:

Typical attorney fees cost about $6,000 to $10,000

More complex or high-profile cases cost about $15,000 to $20,000+

Fees increase if the case involves unusual issues, prior immigration history, requests for evidence (RFEs), or additional filings (such as adjustment of status for family members).

Manifest attorney Obi Monye recommends: “Start documentation early—evidence gathering is often the longest part of an NIW case. Ensure job duties, degrees, and experience are consistent across filings, as misalignment can trigger RFEs and delays. Because EB-2 cases, especially NIWs, are evidence-driven and legally complex, working with an experienced immigration attorney is essential.”

Manifest’s attorney fees for EB-2 Green Cards

At Manifest, our attorneys charge a flat fee upfront, and we’re transparent about what your fee pays for. In addition to filing your application and providing live tracking of your case, we can help you develop the right kind of supporting evidence, and you can get your application reviewed by an ex-USCIS officer. For your peace of mind, we also offer a fully refundable fee, meaning you may not have to pay anything unless you’re approved for your EB-2.

For traditional employer-sponsored EB-2 cases that require PERM labor certification, Manifest’s fee is between $7,995 and $9,975. For EB-2 NIW cases, our fee starts at $7,995 and goes up to a maximum of $13,975, depending on which services you’d like.

EB-2 premium processing costs

Through Form I-907, EB-2 or EB-2 NIW petitioners can receive an expedited decision on their Form I-140. Depending on their category, USCIS guarantees action within:

• 15 business days for PERM-based EB-2 petitions
• 45 business days for EB-2 NIW petitions

Cost: As of March 2026, it costs $2,965 to request premium processing. This is paid on top of the standard I-140 filing fee.

Premium processing only speeds up the adjudication of Form I-140. It can’t be used to decrease the wait time of PERM processing, adjustment of status, or a priority date. It can do the following:

• Provide a faster decision timeline: A quicker adjudication can help address time-sensitive issues such as work start dates, travel plans, or a looming expiration of status.
• Facilitate timely status extensions: Allows certain H-1B holders to qualify for three-year extensions once the I-140 is approved

👉 Prepare your budget for EB-2 visa costs. Manifest’s immigration attorneys can walk you through each expense in the application process. Request a free consultation to learn more.

EB-2 visa costs and fees FAQs

It depends. Premium processing speeds up the I-140 decision (45 business days for NIW), but it does not speed up your priority date or green card approval. It’s most useful if you need a faster petition decision for status or job planning. To help you decide on the best path, we’ve looked into when EB-2 NIW premium processing is worth it.

Is EB-2 NIW more expensive than EB-1A?

Government filing fees are generally similar because both use Form I-140 and the same premium processing fee (if requested). However, attorney fees for EB-1A are often higher due to the stricter “extraordinary ability” standard.

Does premium processing guarantee EB-2 approval?

No. It only guarantees faster processing (15 business days for PERM-based EB-2; 45 business days for NIW). USCIS can still issue a denial or Request for Evidence (RFE).

Can I file EB-2 NIW without a lawyer?

Yes. You are allowed to self-petition without an attorney. However, because NIW cases require extensive documentation and legal argument, many applicants choose legal representation.