If you’re considering filing for a Green Card to become a lawful citizen of the United States, the first question you likely have is, “how much is it going to cost?” There are many factors that go into the cost of a Green Card, including which one you’re applying for, what your home country is, and whether you are already in the United States or not. In this post, we’ll detail the costs associated with applying for a Green Card.
If you’re ready to start your path to U.S. citizenship, Attorney Eric Price can help. He has spent years addressing immigrants’ concerns and has dedicated a long, successful career to the needs of those looking to remain in the United States. Call 1-855-662-2772 or email info@abogadoericprice.com today to schedule a free case evaluation.
What Is A Green Card?
A green card, which is known officially as a Permanent Resident Card, allows foreigners to live and work permanently in the U.S. There are several different types of Green Cards available, including marriage-based and employment-based.
Green Card Eligibility Requirements
As we mentioned above, there are various different kinds of green cards, and the eligibility requirements vary depending on which kind you’re applying for. Here’s a quick overview of eligibility requirements for some of the most popular kinds of Green Card:
Family-Based
You are eligible for a family-based Green Card if you are:
- The spouse of an American citizen
- The finacé of an American citizen
- The unmarried child of an American citizen who is under the age of 21
- The parent of an American citizen who is at least 21 years old
- The unmarried son or daughter of an American citizen and you are age 21+
- The married son or daughter of an American citizen
- The brother or sister of an American citizen who is at least 21
Employment-Based
You are eligible for an employment-based Green Card if you:
- Have extraordinary abilities in one of the following: the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
- Are an outstanding professor or researcher.
- Are a member of a profession that requires an advanced degree.
- Are a skilled worker.
- Have at least a bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent.
- Are an unskilled worker.
- Are a physician .
- Are an investor who has invested at least $1 million or $500K in a targeted employment area.
To see other types of Green Cards, click here.
Understanding Your Green Card Costs & Fees
Here’s what you can expect to pay to receive a Green Card:
- Family Sponsorship Form (I-130): $535
- Green Card Application Form (I-485): $1,140
- Financial Support Form (I-864): $0 for applications living in the United States, $120 for applicants living abroad .
- Work Permit Application Form (I-765): $0 for applicants living in the United States, not required for applicants living abroad.
- Travel Permit Application Form (I-131): $0 for applicants living in the United States, not required for applicants living abroad.
- Biometrics: $85 for applicants living in the United States, $0 for applicants living abroad.
- USCIS Immigration Fee:Not required for applicants living in the United States, $220 for applicants living abroad.
- Medical Examination:
Other Costs & Fees
Some of the other costs and fees you should anticipate for your Green Card application include:
- Vaccination Fees: If your medical exam requires it, you might need to update your vaccinations before you can receive your completed medical examination report. These costs will vary by provider and country.
- Translation Service Fees: If your application package includes documents in your native language, you are required to include a transaction of each document. This translation must be certified as accurate by the translator. These costs also vary, but you can expect between $20-$40 per document.
- Document Fees: You will be asked to submit digital and/or physical copies of all supporting documents, like your birth certificate, passport, and marriage certificates. There will be fees to photocopy these documents and government entities also usually charge a fee to issue certain official documents.
- Photography Fees:You’ll be required to submit two recent 2×2 photos. The cost of these will vary depending on where you get them done.
- Travel Expenses: You won’t be reimbursed for traveling to your biometrics appointment, green card interview, or medical exam. So, you’ll need to leave some room in your budget for traveling to these appointments.
- Shipping Costs:You can expect nominal charges for postage and mail throughout different stages of your Green Card application process.
Total Costs
In all, you should expect to pay somewhere around $2,000 for your Green Card, including all application fees, documents, translation, and travel, as well as other miscellaneous expenses.
Paying Your Green Card Fees
You are required to pay your USCIS Immigrant Fees online. You can do so by visiting the USCIS Immigrant Fee page. The page will walk you through what documents you need to provide and your payment options. You’ll need to provide a valid payment method — credit card, debit card, or provide your U.S. bank routing and checking account information.
What Happens If My Green Card Application Is Denied?
If your Green Card application is denied, you’ll have the chance to either appeal the denial, submit the missing documentation, or start a new application altogether.
Next Steps
If your application has been denied, it’s imperative to contact an immigration attorney. Your immigration attorney will work to get your denial turned into an approval by ensuring you submit the proper documentation by the proper date, or they can help you start a new application that’s not missing any elements. Perhaps your application was wrongfully denied. If so, your attorney knows the strategies to challenge that as well.
Contact Attorney Eric Price Today!
If your Green Card application has been recently denied, or you’re just getting started, don’t go at it alone. Attorney Eric Price is a notationally renowned Green Card lawyer, practicing immigration law exclusively. His firm has decades of experience fighting for the American Dreams of countless clients.
Contact Eric Price for a free case consultation today. Price has extensive experience as an ICE prosecutor, giving him the capacity to understand a case from both the prosecution and defense perspectives. Don’t wait, contact Attorney Price today to learn more.
