Understanding immigration fees is essential for planning your path to permanent residence or citizenship in the United States. USCIS published a final rule in January 2024 that adjusted certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees for the first time since 2016. These changes significantly impact the cost of immigration applications, with some fees increasing substantially while others remain unchanged.
The fee structure affects every stage of the immigration journey, from initial petitions to final citizenship applications. Knowing what to expect helps you budget appropriately and avoid delays caused by incorrect fee payments.
Family-Based Immigration Fees
Family-based immigration represents the most common pathway to permanent residence, involving multiple forms and fees throughout the process.
Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) is typically the first step for family-based immigration. This form increased 26% to $675 for paper filing, and $625 for those filing online. The $50 online discount applies to most forms filed electronically, encouraging digital submissions to reduce processing costs.
Form I-485 (Application to Adjust Status) allows eligible individuals to apply for permanent residence while remaining in the United States. The current fee is $1,440 for most applicants, which includes the filing fee and biometric services fee. This represents a significant expense but covers the extensive background checks and processing required for status adjustment.
Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) costs $120 and is required for most family-based cases to demonstrate that the immigrant will not become a public charge. This fee applies to each required sponsor, so families with multiple sponsors may pay this fee several times.
The USCIS Immigrant Fee of $220 is paid after case approval but before receiving your green card. This fee covers the production and mailing of your permanent resident card and applies to most immigrants, regardless of how they obtained permanent residence.
Employment-Based Immigration Fees
Employment-based immigration involves higher fees due to the complexity of labor market protections and employer requirements.
Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) costs $715 for most categories. This petition must be filed by your employer and represents their commitment to sponsor your permanent residence. Premium processing is available for an additional $2,805, reducing processing time to 15 calendar days.
The H-1B petition fee experienced a substantial increase from $460 to $780, marking a notable 70% rise. This significant increase affects one of the most popular temporary work visa categories, reflecting the high demand and administrative costs associated with these applications.
Form I-129 (Nonimmigrant Worker Petition) fees vary by category but generally range from $460 to $780. Additional fees may apply for certain visa types, including fraud prevention and detection fees, American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act fees, and Public Law 114-113 fees.
Naturalization and Citizenship Fees
The path to U.S. citizenship involves several potential fees depending on your situation and chosen application method.
Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) currently costs $760, which includes a $640 filing fee and $85 biometric services fee. This represents the final major expense in your immigration journey, covering the extensive background checks, interviews, and administrative processing required for citizenship.
Some applicants qualify for reduced fees based on household income. The reduced fee is $380 for applicants whose household income is between 150% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Applicants with household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines may qualify for fee waivers through Form I-912.
Form N-600 (Application for Certificate of Citizenship) costs $1,170 for individuals seeking proof of citizenship acquired through parents. This form is necessary for people who became citizens automatically but need documentation to prove their citizenship status.
Temporary Status and Protection Fees
Various temporary statuses carry different fee structures, often designed to be more accessible than permanent immigration options.
DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) applications cost $495, which includes both the work authorization application and biometric services. This fee applies to both initial applications and renewals, though fee waivers are not available for DACA applications.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applications vary by country designation but typically cost between $50 and $410. The fee structure for TPS often changes based on the specific designation and may include fee waivers for applicants who cannot afford the full amount.
Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) costs $410 when filed independently. However, this fee is often included when filed concurrently with other applications like asylum or adjustment of status applications.
Special Categories and Exceptions
Certain humanitarian and special categories have reduced fees or fee exemptions to ensure accessibility.
Asylum applications (Form I-589) carry no filing fee, reflecting the humanitarian nature of protection claims. However, applicants may need to pay for work authorization or other related benefits after receiving asylum status.
VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) self-petitions are fee-exempt, allowing survivors of domestic violence to petition for immigration status without financial barriers. This includes Forms I-360 and I-485 when filed by VAWA self-petitioners.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status applications also qualify for fee exemptions in many cases, recognizing that these applicants are often minors without independent financial resources.
Fee Payment Methods and Requirements
USCIS accepts various payment methods, but specific requirements apply to ensure proper processing.
Personal checks, cashier’s checks, and money orders must be made payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.” Credit card payments are accepted for online filings but not for paper submissions. Each application requires a separate payment, even when multiple forms are filed together.
Fee amounts must be exact, as incorrect fees will result in application rejection. Rejected applications are returned with instructions for resubmission, potentially causing significant delays in processing.
Fee Waivers and Reduced Fees
Income-based fee relief is available for many applications, though eligibility requirements are strict and documentation requirements are extensive.
Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver) allows applicants to request complete fee waivers based on household income, receipt of means-tested benefits, or financial hardship. The application requires detailed financial documentation and proof of eligibility.
Reduced fees are available for certain forms when household income falls within specific ranges above poverty guidelines but below higher thresholds. These reduced fees typically represent 50% of the standard filing fee.
Fee waiver approvals are not automatic and require careful documentation of financial circumstances. Processing times for fee waiver requests can add several months to your overall case timeline.
Planning for Fee Increases
Immigration fees have historically increased every few years, and future adjustments are likely as USCIS seeks to cover operating costs.
The current fee structure includes provisions for regular adjustments based on cost recovery needs and processing expenses. Planning for potential increases helps avoid being caught off-guard by higher costs during lengthy immigration processes.
Some applicants choose to file applications before announced fee increases take effect, though this strategy requires careful timing to ensure all requirements are met before filing deadlines.
Budgeting for Your Immigration Journey
Understanding the full cost of your immigration path helps with financial planning and prevents delays caused by insufficient funds.
Family-based permanent residence typically costs between $2,000 and $3,000 per person when including all required forms, fees, and medical examinations. Employment-based cases often cost more due to additional employer-sponsored petition requirements.
The path from temporary status to permanent residence to citizenship can span several years and multiple fee payments. Creating a long-term budget helps ensure you can complete each step without financial delays.
Additional costs like medical examinations, document translations, and legal representation should be factored into your overall immigration budget. These expenses vary significantly based on individual circumstances and chosen service providers.
Immigration fees represent a significant investment in your future in the United States. While the costs can seem daunting, understanding the fee structure and planning accordingly helps ensure you can navigate the process successfully. Remember that fee amounts change periodically, so always verify current fees on the USCIS website before submitting applications. Proper financial planning, combined with understanding available fee relief options, makes the immigration process more manageable and helps you achieve your goals of permanent residence and eventual citizenship.
