How much does it cost to apply for a green card?
The government filing fees for getting a family-based green card is $1760 for an applicant living in the United States or $1200 for an applicant living outside the United States. This does not include the typical cost of the required medical examination, which varies by provider.
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Mandatory Fees
The following chart breaks down both the fees you must pay directly to the government — in most cases, that’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), unless otherwise noted — and to the physician who performs the required medical exam. Learn more about green cards.
| Green Card Costs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fee Type | Cost (to Applicant Living in the U.S.) | Cost (to Applicant Living Abroad) |
| Family Sponsorship Form (I-130) | $535 | $535 |
| Green Card Application Form (I-485) | $1140 | Not required |
| Financial Support Form (I-864) | $0 | $120 |
| Work Permit Application Form (I-765) (optional) | $0 | Not required |
| Travel Permit Application Form (I-131) (optional) | $0 | Not required |
| Biometrics (Fingerprints & Photo) | $85 | $0 |
| State Department Processing | Not required | $325 |
| USCIS Immigrant Fee | Not required | $220 |
| Medical Examination | *Varies | *Varies |
| Total | $1760 | $1200 |
*The most typical cost for a medical exam is around $200, but this amount can vary significantly by provider. Boundless customers have reported prices ranging from $100 to $500. Our detailed guide to preparing for the medical exam has more information.
Also note that these government fees are only paid at the same time if you are the spouse or immediate relative of a U.S. citizen and living in the United States. For other scenarios, these fees will be paid several months apart, during different stages of the green card application process.
You can use this calculator from USCIS to help you determine how much you’ll need to pay.
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Other Potential Costs
Beyond direct government fees and the medical exam fee, there are other green card costs to keep in mind:
Vaccination fees: Should your medical exam require it, you may need to update your vaccinations before receiving your completed medical examination report. Like medical exam fees, vaccination costs will vary by provider.
Translation services fees: If your green card application package includes any documents in a language other than English, you must also include a translation of each document, certified as accurate by the translator. The cost of these services will vary — for example, a certified translation of a one-page birth certificate might range between $20 and $40.
Document fees: As part of the green card application process, you will be asked to submit digital or physical copies of supporting documents, such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, and passport. You and your spouse will also need to bring the original copies when attending your final green card interview (either in the United States or at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad). Government agencies generally charge fees for issuing certain official documents.
Professional photography fees: To verify your identity and conduct background checks, the U.S. government will ask you to submit two recent 2-inch-by-2-inch photographs, which will vary in price by service provider. Although you are allowed to take your own photos, it’s generally a good idea to use a professional photography service, and many drug stores provide passport-style photos for a relatively low fee.
Travel expenses: When you attend your biometrics appointment, green card interview, and medical exam, the U.S. government will not reimburse you for the expenses you incur when traveling to these locations. The same is true if you must travel to various government agencies to obtain official documents.
Shipping costs: At different stages of the green card application process, you will pay nominal charges for postage and mailing of your application and supporting documents.
Boundless can help put together all required forms and documents and submitting them to the government, for a $995 one-time payment or $186 monthly payment. Get started today!