How Much Does Form I-130 Cost in 2026? Filing Fees and What to Expect

Form I-130 and the Cost of Sponsoring a Family Member

Form I-130, the Petition for Alien Relative, is the first step a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident takes to sponsor a family member for a green card. As of June 2026, the USCIS filing fee is $675 by mail or $625 online. On its own that fee is modest, but the I-130 starts a longer process, and the fees that follow it (at the adjustment-of-status or consular stage) make up most of the real cost.

Approval of an I-130 doesn’t grant a green card by itself. It establishes the family relationship so the relative can move to the green card stage, either through adjustment of status inside the U.S. or consular processing abroad. This guide breaks down what each stage costs in 2026, what makes attorney fees vary, and who typically pays. For how long each step takes, see our guide to Form I-130 processing times; for the petition itself, see our Form I-130 filing guide.

Key Takeaways

• The I-130 filing fee is $675 by mail or $625 online as of June 2026, a $50 saving for filing in a myUSCIS account.
• There is no premium processing for Form I-130, so no fee, to USCIS or a law firm, can speed up how quickly USCIS decides the petition.
• The I-130 fee is only the first cost. The larger expenses come at the green card stage and differ by path: adjustment of status inside the U.S. versus consular processing abroad.
• A separate I-130 and a separate fee are required for each relative you sponsor.

How Much Does Form I-130 Cost?

The USCIS filing fee for Form I-130 is $675 by mail or $625 online as of June 2026; filing online through a myUSCIS account saves $50. These amounts have been in effect since USCIS’s April 1, 2024 fee schedule. A separate I-130 and a separate fee are required for each relative you sponsor, and the petition has no premium processing option, so unlike some employment-based petitions there is no way to pay for a faster decision; a complete, accurate petition is the main way to avoid a Request for Evidence (RFE) that can add weeks or months.

That fee covers only the petition itself. Any family-based case has two kinds of costs: government filing fees paid to USCIS and, for cases processed abroad, the U.S. Department of State; and attorney fees, paid to a law firm if you choose to use one. The government fee for the petition is fixed; the total cost of the green card process is what varies, because it depends on the path the relative takes and which optional forms they file. Always confirm the current amount on the USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055) before filing, since submitting the wrong fee causes a rejection.

What Fees Come After the I-130 Is Approved?

Once the I-130 is approved, the relative moves to the green card stage, where most of the cost sits. The exact fees depend on whether the relative is in the U.S. (adjustment of status) or abroad (consular processing).

Path 1: Adjustment of status (relative is in the U.S.)

If your relative is already in the United States and eligible, they file Form I-485 to adjust to permanent resident status.

Since April 1, 2024, the I-765 work permit and I-131 travel document each carry their own fee when filed with an I-485; they are no longer included. The medical exam fee is set by the civil surgeon, not USCIS, so it varies by provider. Biometrics are covered by the I-485 fee.

Path 2: Consular processing (relative is abroad)

If your relative is outside the U.S., the case moves to the National Visa Center and then a U.S. embassy or consulate, where the relative applies through Form DS-260.

The Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) itself has no filing fee, but consular cases pay a $120 review fee that covers the whole family applying together, and the DS-260 processing fee is charged per applicant. Consular cases can also carry smaller case-related costs, such as certified translations of foreign documents, official copies of civil records like birth and marriage certificates, and travel to the medical exam and interview.

What the government fees add up to

Adding the petition and the green card stage together, in 2026 dollars and excluding the medical exam and attorney fees:

• Petition only (Form I-130): $625–$675.
• I-130 plus adjustment of status in the U.S.: roughly $2,065–$3,005 in government fees, where the low end is the I-130 filed online plus the paper I-485 alone, and the high end adds the optional work permit and travel document, plus the medical exam.
• I-130 plus consular processing abroad: roughly $1,305–$1,355 in government fees (I-130 + DS-260 + I-864 review + USCIS Immigrant Fee), plus the medical exam and smaller document costs.

Attorney fees, if you choose to use a law firm, are separate from all of the above. USCIS and U.S. Department of State fees can change, so confirm the current amount for each form on USCIS Form G-1055 before submitting.

Why Do Family-Based Green Card Costs Vary So Much?

Two cases that both start with an I-130 can end up costing very different amounts. A few things drive the difference:

• The path the relative takes. Adjustment of status carries a higher government fee than consular processing, but consular cases add Department of State and travel costs.
• Which optional forms they file. A work permit and advance parole are optional during adjustment of status; together they add $890 in government fees.
• How many relatives you sponsor. Each relative needs a separate I-130 and a separate fee.
• Whether the case is straightforward. Issues like prior immigration history, missing documents, or a Request for Evidence add work, and that affects attorney fees.

What About Attorney Fees?

You aren’t required to hire an attorney to file an I-130, and many families file on their own. Those who work with a firm often do so to keep a long, document-heavy process moving and to avoid errors that can lead to delays. Government fees are fixed; attorney fees are not, and they generally track how complex the case is: a straightforward petition sits at one end, while cases with prior immigration issues or missing documents take more work. Immigration attorneys may charge a flat fee, an hourly rate, or a combination; a flat fee makes the total more predictable, while hourly billing can rise as a case gets more involved.

Manifest uses flat-rate pricing for family-based cases, with options based on which forms your case needs. For the closest published example of how those fees are structured, see our breakdown of marriage green card attorney fees, or request a consultation for a quote specific to your case.

Who Pays for the I-130 and Green Card Process?

In a family-based case there is no employer covering costs the way there is in many employment-based petitions. The U.S. citizen or permanent resident petitioner and the relative being sponsored decide between themselves how to handle the fees; in practice, most families treat it as a shared household expense. The petitioner is the one who must sign the Affidavit of Support and show they can financially support the relative, which is a separate requirement from the filing fees.

Get Help With Your I-130 and Green Card Costs

Bringing a family member to the U.S. is a long process with costs at more than one stage, and the full amount depends on the path, the forms, and the details of the case. Manifest’s immigration attorneys can explain what a specific situation may cost and guide families through the petition and green card steps, with flat-rate pricing so the cost is clear before the work begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the I-130 filing fee in 2026?

The USCIS filing fee for Form I-130 is $675 by mail or $625 online as of June 2026. Filing online through a myUSCIS account saves $50. Confirm the current amount on the USCIS fee schedule before filing.

Can I pay for premium processing to speed up my I-130?

No. USCIS does not offer premium processing for Form I-130, so there is no way to pay for a faster decision on the petition. Filing a complete, accurate petition is the main way to avoid avoidable delays such as a Request for Evidence.

Does the I-130 fee include the green card?

No. The I-130 fee only covers the petition that establishes the family relationship. The green card itself involves separate fees at the adjustment of status or consular processing stage, which are the larger part of the total cost.

Do I pay one I-130 fee for my whole family?

No. You file a separate Form I-130, and pay a separate filing fee, for each relative you sponsor.

How much does Manifest charge to handle an I-130 case?

Manifest uses flat-rate pricing with options based on the forms a case needs. Because the right fee depends on the situation, request a consultation for a quote specific to your case.

Sponsoring a family member? Request a consultation with Manifest Law to talk through your I-130 and green card costs and what your timeline looks like.

Disclaimer. This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading it, or contacting Manifest Law through this site, does not create an attorney-client relationship. Immigration law changes frequently, and the information here is current only as of the publication date. For advice on your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This communication is attorney advertising.