Quick Answer — 2026 Green Card Costs
$1,440
I-485 fee (adult)
$950
I-485 (child under 14)
$3,190+
Total fees + medical (no atty)
$4,700–$8,700
Realistic with attorney
Getting a green card in 2026 costs significantly more than most applicants expect. The USCIS I-485 filing fee is $1,440 for adults — but that is just one item in a longer list. When you add a work permit, travel document, medical exam, and attorney fees, the total for a single adult typically ranges from $4,700 to $8,700. Families with children spend considerably more. This guide breaks down every cost by pathway so you can budget accurately before you file.
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Open Green Card Fee Calculator →Not legal advice. Always verify fees at USCIS.gov/g-1055 before submitting payment.
Pathway 1: Adjustment of Status (Already in the US)
Form I-485 — for people already inside the United States eligible to apply without leaving
Adjustment of Status (AOS) is the most common green card process for people living in the United States. You file Form I-485 along with a work permit (I-765) and travel document (I-131) at the same time. After USCIS approval, you receive your green card without leaving the country.
| Cost Item | Required? | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| I-485 Filing Fee (adult, age 14+) | Required | $1,440 |
| I-485 Filing Fee (child under 14, with parent) | Required | $950 |
| I-765 Employment Authorization (EAD) — Initial | Highly recommended | $820 |
| I-131 Advance Parole (travel document) | If traveling abroad | $630 |
| Medical Exam (Form I-693, USCIS civil surgeon) | Required | $200–$500 |
| Catch-up vaccinations (if not current) | Varies | $0–$300 |
| Document translation (if not in English) | If needed | $50–$300 |
| Immigration attorney fees | Optional but recommended | $1,500–$5,000 |
| Total (single adult, no attorney) | $3,190–$3,990 | |
| Total (single adult, with attorney) | $4,700–$8,990 |
Pathway 2: Consular Processing (Applying From Abroad)
Immigrant Visa — applied at a US consulate or embassy abroad when you are ineligible for AOS
Consular Processing is required if you are outside the United States or ineligible for Adjustment of Status. You apply for an immigrant visa at a US consulate, attend an interview abroad, and enter the US as a lawful permanent resident. Consular Processing is typically less expensive than AOS because you do not need I-765 or I-131.
| Cost Item | Required? | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| I-130 Petition (family-based) | Required | $675 |
| Immigrant Visa Application Fee (DS-260) | Required | $325 |
| USCIS Immigrant Fee (paid after entry to US) | Required | $235 |
| Medical Exam (panel physician abroad) | Required | $200–$500 |
| Document translation | If needed | $50–$300 |
| Travel to consulate for interview | Varies | $100–$500+ |
| Immigration attorney fees | Optional but recommended | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Total (no attorney, family-based) | $1,585–$2,535 | |
| Total (with attorney, family-based) | $3,085–$6,535 |
Consular Processing advantages:
- Lower government fees than AOS
- Sometimes faster for certain preference categories
- Required for those ineligible for AOS
Consular Processing disadvantages:
- Must remain abroad the entire process
- No US work authorization while waiting
- Travel and living costs add up
Green Card Cost by Immigration Category
Your immigration category determines which forms you file and which fees apply. Here are realistic all-in cost ranges for the most common green card pathways through Adjustment of Status.
Family-Based — Immediate Relative of US Citizen
Spouse, unmarried child under 21, or parent of US citizen — no wait for visa number
Family-Based — Preference Category (Siblings, Adult Children)
F3, F4 categories — can wait years for visa number
Employment-Based (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3)
Employer-sponsored or self-petitioned
K-1 Fiance Visa then Adjustment of Status
Fiance enters on K-1, marries, then files I-485
Refugee / Asylee Adjustment
Refugees and asylees adjusting to permanent resident
Immigration Medical Exam Cost (Form I-693)
The immigration medical exam is one of the most variable costs in your green card application. It must be performed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon — not your regular doctor. Costs vary by location, provider, and vaccination history. The sealed exam results go directly to USCIS.
$200–$350
Exam only — vaccines fully up to date
$350–$600
Exam + a few missing vaccines
$600–$900+
Exam + multiple vaccines or TB follow-up
What the medical exam includes:
- Physical exam (height, weight, vitals)
- Vaccination review and catch-up shots
- TB skin test or blood test
- Syphilis blood test (age 15+)
- Drug and alcohol assessment
- Mental health evaluation
- Review of communicable disease history
- Required vaccines: MMR, varicella, Tdap, flu, COVID-19, others
Immigration Attorney Fees — When Do You Need One?
You are not legally required to hire an attorney for your green card application, but immigration forms are complex and USCIS fees are non-refundable even if your application is denied. A $2,000 attorney fee can easily save more than it costs by preventing a $3,000 fee loss from a rejected application.
| Legal Service | Typical Fee Range |
|---|---|
| I-130 petition only (family sponsor side) | $500–$1,500 |
| Full AOS package (I-485 + I-765 + I-131) | $1,500–$4,000 |
| I-130 + full AOS (both petitioner and beneficiary) | $2,500–$6,000 |
| Employment-based (I-140 + AOS, employer side) | $3,000–$8,000 |
| Consular Processing (abroad) | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Inadmissibility waiver (I-601/I-601A) | $2,000–$7,000 |
| I-751 (removal of conditions on residence) | $800–$2,500 |
You may NOT need an attorney if:
- Immediate relative of US citizen, no complications
- No criminal history whatsoever
- Entered the US legally and maintained status
- No prior visa denials or immigration violations
- Income clearly meets I-864 requirements
You definitely need an attorney if:
- Any arrest or criminal conviction (including misdemeanors)
- Prior visa overstay or unlawful presence
- Prior deportation, removal, or voluntary departure order
- Prior USCIS application denial
- Complex family situations (divorce, prior marriages)
- Employment-based or self-petitioned categories
Green Card Costs for Families
When a family applies together, costs multiply — but children under 14 get a reduced I-485 fee. Here are realistic totals for common family configurations filing Adjustment of Status concurrently.
Single Adult
$3,190–$8,990I-485 ($1,440) + I-765 ($820) + I-131 ($630) + medical ($200–500) = $3,090–$3,390; add attorney $1,500–$5,000
Married Couple (2 adults)
$6,580–$16,000Government fees x2 = $5,780; medical x2 ($400–$1,000); attorney $1,500–$8,000+
Family of 3 (2 adults + 1 child under 14)
$7,830–$18,000Adult fees x2 ($5,780) + child I-485 ($950) = $6,730; medical x3 ($600–$1,500); attorney
Family of 4 (2 adults + 2 children under 14)
$9,080–$20,000+Adult fees x2 ($5,780) + child I-485 x2 ($1,900) = $7,680; medical x4 ($800–$2,000); attorney
Costs After Your Green Card Is Approved
Approval is not the last time you pay USCIS. Plan for these future costs as part of your long-term immigration budget.
Green Card Renewal — Every 10 Years
$415Standard green cards expire every 10 years. File Form I-90 to renew. Start 6 months before expiration — current processing: 6–18 months.
Remove Conditions (2-Year Conditional Card)
$750Spouses married less than 2 years receive a 2-year conditional card. Must file I-751 to remove conditions in the 90-day window before it expires. Attorney fees: $800–$2,500 additional.
Naturalization (US Citizenship) — Optional
$710–$760After 3–5 years as a permanent resident, apply for citizenship with Form N-400. $710 online or $760 by paper. Reduced fee of $380 for low-income applicants. See our N-400 Fee Calculator.
Can You Get a Green Card Fee Waiver?
Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver) can allow you to file certain USCIS forms without paying the government filing fee. A fee waiver covers only the filing fee — you still pay for the medical exam, translation, and attorney fees.
Qualification criteria (any one qualifies):
- Household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
- Currently receiving means-tested public benefits: Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, TANF, or similar
- Documented financial hardship (evaluated case-by-case)
| Household Size | 150% FPG — Annual | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $22,590 | $1,883 |
| 2 people | $30,630 | $2,553 |
| 3 people | $38,670 | $3,223 |
| 4 people | $46,710 | $3,893 |
| Each additional person | +$8,040 | +$670 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a green card cost in total in 2026?
For a single adult using Adjustment of Status: USCIS fees total about $2,890 (I-485 + I-765 + I-131), plus a required medical exam ($200–$500) and optional attorney fees ($1,500–$5,000). The realistic all-in range is $4,700–$8,700. Consular Processing is cheaper at $3,000–$6,500 all-in.
What is the cheapest way to get a green card?
Consular Processing avoids I-765 and I-131 fees, saving $1,500–$3,000 vs. AOS. Filing without an attorney saves another $1,500–$5,000 but carries risk. Qualifying for an I-912 fee waiver eliminates eligible filing fees. Refugee and asylee adjustment requires no I-485 fee.
Are USCIS green card fees refundable?
No. USCIS filing fees are non-refundable even if your application is denied, withdrawn, or returned for errors. Confirm your eligibility and prepare carefully before filing.
Do I need to pay the new $250 Visa Integrity Fee for a green card?
The $250 Visa Integrity Fee (VIF) from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act applies to most nonimmigrant visa applicants — tourist, work, and student visas. It generally does NOT apply to immigrant visa (green card) applicants or people adjusting status inside the US. Confirm the specific applicability with USCIS for your case type.
How long does the green card process take and how does it affect costs?
I-485 Adjustment of Status for immediate relatives currently takes 8–24+ months depending on the field office. During a long wait, you may need to renew your work permit (I-765 renewal: $540) or advance parole ($630). Budget for at least one renewal cycle if your case takes longer than 12 months.
Can my employer pay for my employment-based green card?
For EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 green cards, employers typically pay the I-140 petition fee and attorney fees. Under DOL regulations, employers cannot transfer certain costs to employees if it would bring wages below the required level. The employee's I-485 fee ($1,440) is usually the employee's responsibility. Get any cost-sharing agreement in writing.
Related Immigration Calculators and Guides
Green Card Cost Calculator →
Itemized I-485 costs for your family size
USCIS Fee Calculator — All Forms →
Every USCIS form fee in one tool
Fee Waiver Eligibility Checker →
Check if you qualify for an I-912 waiver
N-400 Citizenship Fee Calculator →
Plan ahead for naturalization costs
USCIS Fee Guide 2026 →
Complete fee schedule for every immigration form
Immigration Lawyer Cost 2026 →
Attorney fee ranges by case type