1. Which Immigration Route Determines Your Costs?
The first cost decision is choosing the correct immigration category. Family relationships, employer petitions, and eligible self-petitions involve different forms. Your location and immigration history determine which final application procedure may be available.
Compare Family and Employment Petitions
- Form I-130 generally establishes a qualifying family relationship.
- Many employment cases require Form I-140; some also require PERM labor certification.
- Eligible self-petitioners may proceed without a sponsoring relative or employer.
A family-based immigration review can clarify sponsorship and supporting documents before filing fees are paid.
Distinguish Adjustment from Consular Processing
Eligible applicants already in the United States may seek adjustment using Form I-485. Others generally complete immigrant visa processing abroad. Legal eligibility, not the lower fee, determines the appropriate route. A family or employment petition alone does not confer permanent residence.
2. What Government Fees Should Applicants Budget for?
No single government fee covers every green card case. USCIS collects petition and adjustment fees; the Department of State charges for immigrant visa processing. Verify the latest Form G-1055 and visa fee schedule before submission.
Compare Common USCIS Filing Fees
| Filing | Common Fee |
|---|---|
| I-130 family petition | $625 online or $675 on paper, where available. |
| I-140 employment petition | $715 base fee, plus any applicable $0, $300, or $600 Asylum Program Fee. |
| I-485 adjustment | Generally $1,440 for applicants aged 14 or older; exceptions and additional fees may apply. |
I-130 family petition
- Common Fee$625 online or $675 on paper, where available.
I-140 employment petition
- Common Fee$715 base fee, plus any applicable $0, $300, or $600 Asylum Program Fee.
I-485 adjustment
- Common FeeGenerally $1,440 for applicants aged 14 or older; exceptions and additional fees may apply.
These figures are separate charges, not a package price. Optional work and travel authorization requests can add fees.
Account for Consular and Personal Expenses
Immigrant visa processing generally costs $325 per family applicant or $345 per employment applicant. Certain cases also involve a $120 affidavit-of-support review fee and a $235 USCIS Immigrant Fee. Medical exams, translations, document costs, and attorney fees vary. Confirm whether an exemption applies.
3. Which Expenses Must Sponsoring Employers Pay?
Employment sponsorship can involve costs that an employer cannot pass to a worker. Separate labor certification expenses from I-140 charges and each person's final application. The relevant category and services determine who may pay.
Apply PERM Payment Restrictions
- Employers generally pay recruitment and employer-side labor certification expenses.
- They cannot recover their PERM attorney fees through employee payments or wage deductions.
- A worker may pay for separate representation, subject to 20 C.F.R. § 656.12.
When the same attorney represents both parties in PERM, the employer bears that certification representation cost.
Separate Petition and Family Expenses
An I-140 petitioner must check whether the additional Asylum Program Fee applies at the regular, small-employer, or nonprofit rate. Spouses and children usually need individual final applications. Employers should document voluntary benefits separately from mandatory expenses under immigration law.
4. What Can Delay Filing or Increase Costs?
An approved petition does not guarantee that a visa number is immediately available. Priority dates, immigration history, and missing evidence can delay the next filing. Reviewing these issues early may prevent paying for an ineligible application.
Check Visa Availability and Eligibility
- Review the Visa Bulletin and USCIS adjustment filing chart when relevant.
- Check admission history and any adjustment-of-status restrictions.
- Identify possible inadmissibility concerns before selecting a route.
Petition approval alone does not grant lawful status or work authorization.
Gather the Evidence before Filing
Collect civil records, immigration history, sponsorship evidence, and required translations. Medical examination procedures depend on the chosen route. An adjustment of status review may identify missing documents and application-specific requirements.
5. How Can Applicants Plan Their Filing Budget?
Prepare a worksheet for each applicant rather than relying on a single advertised price. Separate government charges from medical, document, and professional expenses. Recalculate immediately before filing because fee rules may change.
List Each Form and Payment Responsibility
- Identify the immigration category and domestic or consular procedure.
- List each family member's required forms and optional requests.
- Record employer-paid items, medical expenses, and attorney billing terms.
Consider fee waivers only where the specific form and filing category permit them.
Verify Payments and Written Agreements
Check the form edition, filing channel, and exact required amount. An incorrect fee may lead USCIS to reject the filing. Keep receipts and review the engagement agreement for excluded services, extra applications, and payment terms.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
Does I-130 approval give a relative lawful status?
No. Approval establishes a qualifying petition but does not independently grant immigration status or work authorization.
Will the government refund fees after a denial?
Generally no. Federal filing fees ordinarily cover processing, regardless of the final decision.
Can someone apply without employer sponsorship?
Potentially. Qualifying family categories and certain employment self-petitions do not require a sponsoring employer.
Does each accompanying child need a separate application?
Generally yes. Derivative children ordinarily submit individual adjustment or immigrant visa applications, subject to applicable fees.
7. Discuss Green Card Cost Planning with SJKP
SJKP's attorneys can review eligibility, federal filing fees, and payment responsibilities for applicants and sponsoring businesses. Bring immigration records, sponsorship documents, and a proposed budget to discuss the available filing options.
16 Oct, 2026
