Let’s be real for a second. Asking how much is it to get green card is kinda like asking how much a house costs. Are we talking about a studio in rural Ohio or a penthouse in Manhattan? The price tag changes based on who you are, where you’re from, and how you’re applying.
It’s expensive. Period.
If you’re looking for a quick "it costs $500," you’re going to be disappointed. Between the mandatory government filing fees, the medical exams that feel like a robbery, and the optional (but often necessary) legal help, you’re looking at a bill that can easily spiral into the thousands. Most people end up spending somewhere between **$1,200 and $5,000**, though it can go way higher if things get messy.
The baseline: Government filing fees
The USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) doesn’t work for free. Far from it. As of early 2026, we are living with the fee hikes that kicked in a while back, making the process more of a financial hurdle than ever.
If you are currently in the U.S. and applying via Adjustment of Status, your primary form is the I-485. This is the big one. It costs $1,440 for most adults. That’s just for the paper. It doesn't include the "extra" perks like a work permit (I-765) or travel document (I-131) anymore, which used to be bundled in but now cost hundreds extra each.
Wait, there’s more.
If you’re a family-based applicant, your petitioner (the person sponsoring you) has to file the I-130. That's another $625 to $675. So, before you’ve even stepped foot in an interview, you’ve already handed over a couple of thousand dollars to the Department of Homeland Security.
Why the location matters
If you’re applying from outside the United States, you aren't doing "Adjustment of Status." You’re doing "Consular Processing."
In this scenario, you pay the I-130 fee first. Then, once the National Visa Center (NVC) gets your case, you pay a visa processing fee (around $325 for family cases) and an affidavit of support fee ($120). Finally, there is the USCIS Immigrant Fee of $235, which you pay after you get your visa but before you move. It sounds cheaper on paper, but the travel costs and local embassy hoops usually balance it out.
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The medical exam: A total wild card
You have to get poked, prodded, and blood-tested.
USCIS requires a Form I-693, which must be signed by a "Civil Surgeon." These are private doctors authorized by the government, but they set their own prices. Honestly, it’s a bit of a racket.
I’ve seen people pay $200 in a small town and others get hit with a $700 bill in Los Angeles or New York. The price usually depends on:
- Whether you have your vaccination records (if you don’t, they charge you for every shot).
- The specific lab tests required at the time (TB tests and blood work).
- The doctor’s "admin fee."
Pro tip: Shop around. Call five different doctors from the USCIS "Find a Doctor" list. You’ll be shocked at how much the price varies for the exact same physical.
Lawyers: The $3,000 question
Do you need a lawyer? No. Not legally.
But many people find them essential. If you’re asking how much is it to get green card because you have a complex history—maybe an overstay, a criminal record, or a previous denial—a lawyer is non-negotiable.
A standard marriage-based green card case typically costs between $2,500 and $5,000 in attorney fees.
Some "high-end" firms in big cities will charge $10,000+. On the flip side, some non-profits or solo practitioners might do it for $1,500. Just remember: you get what you pay for. A cheap lawyer who misses a deadline can cost you your entire filing fee when USCIS rejects your application and keeps the money.
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The small stuff that adds up
Nobody talks about the "paperwork tax."
You need professional passport photos. That’s $15. You need to mail a massive 4-pound stack of papers via FedEx or UPS because you’d be insane to trust a green card application to a standard stamp. That’s $30 to $60.
Then there are the translations.
If your birth certificate or marriage license isn't in English, it has to be translated. Certified translations can cost $20 to $40 per page. If you have a 10-page divorce decree from another country, well, do the math.
What about the "Public Charge" thing?
There was a lot of drama over the last few years regarding the Public Charge rule. Basically, the government wants to know you won't need financial assistance. While the strict 2019-era rules were largely rolled back, you still have to prove financial stability. This doesn't cost a "fee" per se, but it might require you to hire an accountant or gather years of tax transcripts, which takes time and sometimes money.
Employment-based costs are a different beast
If you're getting a green card through your job, the math changes completely. Usually, the employer is legally required to pay for the "Labor Certification" (PERM) process. This can cost them thousands.
However, the actual I-485 filing fee often falls on the employee. And if you want "Premium Processing" for certain parts of the employment chain (like the I-140 petition), you’re looking at an extra $2,805 just to get an answer in 15 days.
It’s fast, but it’s a luxury tax.
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Breaking down the "Marriage" route
If you just married a U.S. citizen and you're starting from scratch while living in the States, here is a rough "wallet-check":
- I-130 Petition: $675
- I-485 Application: $1,440
- Medical Exam: ~$400 (average)
- Photos/Mailing/Translations: ~$150
- Total: $2,665
That’s the "DIY" price. If you add a lawyer, you are looking at roughly $5,500 to $7,000.
It’s a lot of money to move into your own house with your own spouse.
Can you get the fees waived?
Sometimes. But it's hard.
Form I-912 is the Request for Fee Waiver. You generally have to prove that your household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. However, most green card categories—especially family-based ones—require an "Affidavit of Support" where someone promises you won't be poor.
Filing for a fee waiver while simultaneously having a sponsor say they have plenty of money to support you is a tricky needle to thread. It’s mostly used for refugees, asylees, or victims of domestic violence.
Final reality check
The cost of a green card isn't just the money you send to a lockbox in Chicago or Phoenix. It’s the opportunity cost. It’s the months (or years) of waiting where you might not be able to work or travel.
If you are planning your budget, don't just save for the $1,440. Save $4,000. Give yourself a cushion for the medical exam, the inevitable price increases, and the "I messed up a form and have to resend it" costs.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the "Edition Date": Before you mail anything, check the USCIS website for the current version of the form. If you use an expired form, they will reject it and you'll lose time.
- Get your vaccines now: Go to a pharmacy or your regular doctor for things like the Flu shot, Varicella, and Tdap. It is almost always cheaper to get these through your insurance than to pay the "Civil Surgeon" for them later.
- Request "Tax Transcripts": Don't use your 1040 tax returns; get the official transcripts from the IRS website. They are free and USCIS prefers them.
- Digital Organization: Scan every single receipt and every single page you send. If the post office loses your package, you need to know exactly what was in it.
The process is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep your receipts, stay organized, and don't let the sticker shock stop you from filing correctly the first time.