How Much Is a Green Card?
- The total cost of a Green Card is likely about $2,000 to $10,000 or more, including filing fees, medical exams, and attorney fees.
- The primary filing fees are for the initial petition (Form I-130 or I-140) and the Green Card application itself (Form I-485 or DS-260).
- If you’re applying from within the U.S., Form I-485 has the highest filing fee at $1,440 (by mail) or $1,390 (online).
- Fee waivers are available for certain forms, but most applicants won’t qualify.
The cost of a Green Card depends on how you apply, where you apply from, and whether your case is family-based or employment-based. Most applicants pay around $1,200 to $3,000 in government filing fees, plus additional costs for medical exams, biometrics, and optional services. Understanding which forms apply to your situation and when each fee is due will make it easier to plan your budget throughout the application process.
How much a Green Card typically costs
Most Green Card applicants can expect to pay between $1,500 and $4,000 in government filing fees. The exact total depends on whether they use a family or employment-based Green Card category, and whether they apply through an adjustment of status or consular processing.
Below are the estimated costs for filing fees and other government expenses for the main types of Green Cards. Lawyer fees are not included.
- Family-based Green Card: $1,500 to $2,500
- Employment-based Green Card: $2,000 to $3,000
- Green Card renewal: $415 to $465
- Green Card attorney fees: $3,000 to $10,000+
| 💡Consular Processing vs. Adjustment of Status. There are two ways to get a U.S. Green Card. Adjustment of status (AOS) is an option if you’re in the U.S., and you can remain in the country as your application is processed. Consular processing is for applicants outside the U.S., and you’ll have a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate before becoming a permanent resident. Learn more about whether consular processing or adjustment of status is better for you. |
Breakdown of Green Card costs
Here are the types of costs you might encounter during the Green Card application process. To know whether or not they’ll apply to your case, keep reading.
| Expense | What It Is | Cost |
| Form I-130 | Initial petition (family) | $625 online or $675 by mail |
| Form I-140 | Initial petition (employment) | $665 online or $715 by mail |
| Form I-864 | Affidavit of Support | $120 if consular processing |
| Form I-485 | Adjustment of status application | $1,440 (by mail) or $1,390 (online) |
| Form DS-260 | Consular processing application | $325 (family-based) or $345 (employment-based) |
| USCIS Immigrant Fee | Green Card production fee | $235 |
| Medical exam | Required health exam | $200 to $500 |
| Form I-907 | Premium processing (optional) | $2,965 |
| Green Card attorney | Optional lawyer fees | Varies |
Can any Green Card fees be waived?
USCIS allows some applicants to request a fee waiver by filing Form I-912 if they can show financial hardship. You may be eligible for a waiver for certain forms, including the adjustment of status application (Form I-485), the Green Card replacement application (Form I-90), and the petition to remove conditions (Form I-751)
Family-based Green Card costs
The cost of a family-based Green Card is likely $1,300 or more through consular processing, and $2,300 or more through adjustment of status.
Family-based Green Cards—including the IR, CR, and F preference categories—allow U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to sponsor certain relatives for permanent residence.
| Expense | What It Is | Adjustment of Status (Inside U.S.) | Consular Processing (Outside U.S.) |
| Form I-130 | Petition that establishes the qualifying family relationship | $625 or $675 if filing by mail | $625 or $675 if filing by mail |
| Form I-485 | Application for permanent residence | $1,440 (by mail) or $1,390 (online) for standalone applications, $950 for children under 14 | Not needed |
| Form DS-260 | Immigrant visa application | Not needed | $325 for family-based visas |
| Form I-864 | Financial sponsorship review | $0 (included with I-485 filing) | $120, paid to NVC |
| USCIS Immigrant Fee | Green Card production after visa approval | Not needed | $235 |
| Medical exam | Required health exam | $150 to $500+, paid to civil surgeon | $150 to $500+, paid to panel physician |
⚠️ Important: The filing fees listed here are accurate as of February 2026 and are subject to change. We always recommend checking USCIS’s official filing fees page or consulting with your immigration attorney for the most up-to-date information.
Employment-based Green Card costs
Employment-based Green Cards generally cost $1,500 or more if you’re using consular processing, and $3,000 or more if using adjustment of status. Unless you’re self-sponsoring, your employer will generally pay these costs.
All five categories of employment-based Green Cards (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, and EB-5) require the same basic forms and application steps, which you can see in the table below. Higher preference categories generally require more documentation to prove eligibility; those costs aren’t included here.
| Expense | What It Is | Adjustment of Status (Inside U.S.) | Consular Processing (Outside U.S.) | Who Pays |
| Form I-140 | Immigrant petition for a foreign worker | $665 online or $715 by mail | $665 online or $715 by mail | Employer, typically |
| PERM Labor Certification | Required recruitment process for EB-2/EB-3 cases | Varies | Varies | Employer |
| Form I-907 (optional) | Expedited I-140 processing | $2,965 | $2,965 | Employer, typically |
| Form I-485 | Application for permanent residence | $1,440 (by mail) or $1,390 (online) | Not needed | Applicant |
| Form I-765 (optional) | Work authorization while you wait for approval | $260 | Not available | Applicant |
| Form I-131 (optional) | Travel authorization while you wait for approval | $590 online or $630 by mail | Not available | Applicant |
| Form DS-260 | Immigrant visa application fee | Not needed | $345 for employment-based visas | Applicant |
| USCIS Immigrant Fee | Green Card production after visa approval | Not needed | $235 | Applicant |
| Medical exam | Required health exam | $150 to $500+, paid to civil surgeon | $150 to $500+, paid to panel physician | Applicant |
Optional or additional fees
The following costs are optional and may not apply to all Green Card applicants.
- Premium processing (Form I-907): For a fee of $2,965, premium processing expedites review of Form I-140 to 15 business days (45 business days for EB-1C and EB-2 NIW cases).
- Employment authorization (Form I-765): If you need work authorization (an EAD) while your petition is reviewed, you can include this form with your I-485 filing for a fee of $260.
- Travel approval (Form I-131): If you need to travel internationally while awaiting approval, you can file for an advance parole travel document along with your I-485 filing. It costs $590 if you file online or $630 by mail.
How much is a Green Card renewal?
“Renewing” a Green Card can mean different things depending on your situation. Some permanent residents with a standard 10-year Green Card simply need to replace an expiring card. Others with a 2-year conditional Green Card must file to remove conditions if they want to continue residing in the U.S.
- Form I-90: This is the application to renew an expiring 10-year green card or to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged card. Form I-90 costs $415 when filing online or $465 by mail.
- Form I-751: This is the petition to remove conditions on a 2-year marriage Green Card. It costs $700 to file online and $750 to file by mail.
- Form I-829: This petition allows EB-5 Green Card holders to remove conditions on their permanent residence. It costs $3,750 and an additional biometrics fee may apply.
Additional Green Card fees
Beyond USCIS filing fees, most applicants should plan for the following expenses.
- Document gathering: Your initial petition will require certain supporting documents. That includes everything from birth and marriage certificates to proof of awards and career recognitions.
- Vaccinations: If you don’t already meet U.S. vaccination requirements, you’ll need to pay for required immunizations before submitting your medical form.
- Translation services: Any documents that aren’t in English must be translated, which likely involves professional translation fees.
- Travel fees: You may need to travel to attend a biometrics appointment (fingerprinting), medical exam, or in-person interview.
- Attorney fees: Hiring an immigration attorney is optional, but professional support can be a major help during the long and technical application process. Attorney fees typically range from $3,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the case.
Budgeting for your Green Card
A Green card is an investment in your long-term future in the United States. Hiring an immigration attorney is not required, but many applicants invest in professional guidance to avoid costly mistakes or delays in an already long and technical process. Working with an expert can reduce risk and save time and money in the long run.
At Manifest, our immigration attorneys help workers, families, and employers understand their total Green Card costs. We offer a free consultation and flat-rate instead of hourly fees, so that you know exactly how much you’re paying us and what you’re paying us to do. If you’re considering applying for a Green Card and want personalized guidance on budgeting and next steps, we’re here to help.
👉 Request a consultation with Manifest Law’s experienced immigration lawyers now.
Green Card cost FAQs
How long does getting a Green Card take?
USCIS processing of Green Card forms can take anywhere from two to six years depending on your Green Card category. That doesn’t include the time it takes to prepare a strong petition (before filing). After petition approval, you could wait months or years to get the actual Green Card visa, depending largely on your priority date.
Can you get a Green Card for free?
No, Green Cards are not free. You must pay government filing fees and medical exam costs, though limited fee waivers may be available in certain hardship cases. If you’re applying through an employer-sponsored category, your workplace may pay for some of the costs.
Can I get a Green Card if I have $1 million?
No amount of money automatically qualifies you for a Green Card, but the new Trump Gold Card gives the possibility of speeding up the Green Card process through a financial gift of $1 million to the U.S. Treasury. Investment-based options like the EB-5 visa may allow you to apply for permanent residence if you invest in a U.S. business and create jobs.
What is the easiest Green Card to get?
A Green Card through marriage to a U.S. citizen is often one of the most straightforward paths since immediate relatives are not subject to annual visa limits. For employment-based Green Cards, an EB-1 visa requires a lot of work upfront but may have shorter processing and wait times. Ultimately, no Green Card is necessarily easy to get, but your easiest option is likely the one for which you best meet the eligibility requirements.
