Family Green Card Costs in 2026: Complete Fee Guide

Bringing a family member to the United States as a permanent resident involves a chain of forms, fees, and expenses that vary depending on the type of relationship, the beneficiary’s country of origin, and whether the petition is processed inside or outside the U.S. Understanding the total budget before starting the process prevents surprises and protects against poorly calibrated decisions, especially when the sponsor shares costs with the beneficiary.

This guide consolidates the current fee landscape for 2026, distinguishes between immediate relatives and family preference categories, and details the required and optional forms that make up the final bill.

How Much Does a Family Green Card Cost

For typical family-based immigration cases, filing fees add up to between $1,305 and $3,005. The lower figure applies to cases processed outside the U.S. through consular processing; the higher figure is typical for adjustment of status inside the United States, when the beneficiary is already lawfully present. These numbers assume straightforward cases with no rejections, RFEs, or requests for additional evidence.

USCIS and DOS Fee Schedule

These fees follow the USCIS fee schedule implemented on April 1, 2024, and maintained throughout 2025 and 2026. USCIS publishes an official fee calculator on its website, and the Department of State separately publishes consular fee amounts.

Common Additional Expenses

• Immigration medical exam. Conducted by an authorized physician (Civil Surgeon in the U.S. or Panel Physician abroad). Costs range from $100 to $500 or more, depending on the country, clinic, and required vaccinations.
• Civil documents. Birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, police clearances, and certified translations carry costs set by the issuing agencies and translators.
• Certified translations. Every document in a language other than English requires a certified translation pursuant to 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3).
• USCIS-standard photos. Two color photos in 2×2 inch format with a white background.
• Travel expenses. Transportation to a consular interview, USCIS biometrics appointment, and medical exam can add up to significant amounts.
• Certified mail. Tracked mailings to USCIS and NVC.

Family Green Card Categories

Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens

The Immediate Relative category is not subject to annual quotas and always has a current priority date in the Visa Bulletin, which typically accelerates the process. It includes:

• IR-1 / CR-1: spouses of U.S. citizens, with a practical distinction between marriages of more or less than two years at the time of adjustment.
• IR-2: unmarried children under 21 years of age.
• IR-3: orphans adopted abroad.
• IR-4: orphans coming to the U.S. to be adopted.
• IR-5: parents of U.S. citizens who are 21 years of age or older.

Family Preference Categories

These categories are subject to annual caps and face backlogs that are reflected monthly in the Department of State’s Visa Bulletin. They apply to non-immediate relatives of citizens and to immediate relatives of lawful permanent residents (LPRs):

• F-1: unmarried sons and daughters over 21 of U.S. citizens.
• F-2A: spouses and unmarried children under 21 of LPRs.
• F-2B: unmarried sons and daughters over 21 of LPRs.
• F-3: married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, including their spouses and children.
• F-4: siblings of U.S. citizens.

Wait times in these categories depend on the beneficiary’s country of chargeability. For Brazilian nationals, the backlog tends to be shorter than for Indian, Mexican, and Filipino nationals, but the F-4 queue, for example, still measures over a decade.

Fee Payment and Logistics

USCIS accepts payment by cashier’s check, personal check, money order, or bank draft, and most forms can be paid online at the time of filing. Each fee must be paid separately — checks combining multiple fees are routinely rejected. Consular fees are paid directly through Department of State systems, generally via CEAC.

Fee Waivers and Reductions

Form I-912 allows applicants to request a fee waiver if they can demonstrate household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, receipt of means-tested public benefits, or documented financial hardship. The waiver does not cover all forms — the I-130 is generally not waivable. The I-485, I-131, and I-765, however, are eligible for conditional waivers. There is also a statutory reduction for the I-485 for children under 14 when they are co-applicants in the same family filing block as a parent.

Fee Refunds

USCIS does not refund fees in cases of denial, rejection, or a merits-based refusal. Refunds are issued only when USCIS itself requests an unnecessary form or processes a payment in excess of the amount owed. Petitioner errors or missing documentation do not entitle the applicant to a refund.

Visa Integrity Fee — New in 2025

Legislation enacted in 2025 (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) established the so-called visa integrity fee, paid by nonimmigrant visa applicants who are not exempt under the Visa Waiver Program. The fee does not apply directly to family Green Card petitions, but may be triggered if the beneficiary previously held a K-1 or another intermediate nonimmigrant visa. The amount is set by Department of State regulation.

Attorney Fees

Immigration attorneys do not have a standard fee schedule; costs vary depending on case complexity, law firm, and city. Straightforward spousal cases with no complications may carry significantly lower fees than cases involving I-601A waivers, pending removal proceedings, or sensitive immigration histories. It is worth comparing the scope of services offered — initial case assessment, form preparation, RFE response, interview attendance — not just the bottom-line figure.

How to Avoid Extra Costs

Documentary errors are the most common source of additional expenses. Ensuring certified translations comply with USCIS requirements, using the most current version of each form (outdated versions are frequently rejected), clearly documenting the family relationship, and promptly responding to RFEs dramatically reduces the risk of rework. In marriage cases, assembling robust chronological evidence — dated photos, joint bank accounts, lease agreements, witness statements — protects against marriage fraud suspicions and additional interviews that may require travel costs and new documents.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.