“How much does a green card cost?” has no single answer, because it depends on which route you take and how many forms you file. This guide breaks the 2026 cost down by the three common paths, using current USCIS and State Department fees.
Informational only — not legal advice. Fees change; confirm current amounts on USCIS.gov and travel.state.gov before filing, and consult an immigration attorney for your situation.
The answer first
For the most common case — a marriage-based green card filed from inside the U.S. (adjustment of status) — the standard USCIS fees in 2026 total about $2,540:
| Form | Purpose | Fee (online) |
|---|---|---|
| I-130 | Petition for a relative | $675 (paper) / $625 (online) |
| I-485 | Adjust status to permanent resident | $1,440 |
| I-765 | Work permit (EAD) | $470 (or $260 with pending I-485) |
| I-131 | Travel document (advance parole) | $630 |
| Total | ~$2,540 (≈ $2,330 with the reduced I-765) |
That is government filing fees only. Add a medical exam and any attorney fees. You can total your own bundle with the fee calculator.
Route 1: Adjustment of status (filed inside the U.S.)
If you are already in the United States in a status that allows it, you “adjust status” with Form I-485. Most applicants file the green-card application together with a work permit (I-765) and a travel document (I-131) so they can work and travel while the case is pending.
Since the April 2024 fee rule, these fees are unbundled — charged separately even when filed together — but the I-765 is reduced to $260 when filed alongside a pending I-485. A child under 14 filing with a parent pays a reduced I-485 fee of $950.
Route 2: Consular processing (immigrant visa from abroad)
If the relative is outside the U.S., the case goes through the National Visa Center and a U.S. consulate. The government fees are different:
| Item | Who charges it | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| I-130 petition | USCIS | $675 (paper) / $625 (online) |
| Immigrant visa application (DS-260) | State Department | ~$325 |
| Affidavit of Support review | State Department | ~$120 |
| USCIS Immigrant Fee (after approval) | USCIS | $235 |
| Total | ~$1,355–$1,405 |
Consular processing usually has lower government fees because you skip the $1,440 I-485. The trade-off is that you wait abroad and do not get a U.S. work permit during the process.
Route 3: Employment-based green card
Employment cases add an employer petition. A typical EB-2/EB-3 case includes:
- Form I-140 immigrant worker petition: $715 (plus a $600/$300/$0 Asylum Program Fee depending on employer size), normally paid by the employer.
- Then either I-485 ($1,440) inside the U.S. or consular processing fees as above.
EB-5 investor green cards are in a different league: Form I-526 is $11,160 and the later Form I-829 to remove conditions is $9,525, on top of the qualifying investment itself.
Costs beyond the filing fees
Government filing fees are not the whole bill. Budget also for:
- Medical examination by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon or panel physician — commonly $200–$500, not set by the government.
- Vaccinations, translations and photos.
- Attorney fees, if you hire one — often the largest line item, and entirely separate from government fees.
- The State Department MRV / immigrant visa fees if processing abroad.
How to estimate your own total
Use the USCIS fee calculator to tick the exact forms in your case and switch between online and paper rates. For the work-permit piece specifically, see the I-765 fee explained. For naturalization later on, see the N-400 cost.
Sources and accuracy
USCIS fees are from the USCIS Fee Schedule (Form G-1055); visa fees are from the State Department. Figures are current as of June 2026; the State Department immigrant-visa fees quoted are typical published amounts and should be confirmed for your case. This is general information, not legal advice. See our methodology.