Cost Guide · Updated May 2026
How much does a marriage green card cost? (2026)
Every USCIS fee, every State Department fee, the medical exam, translations, and what nobody else tells you about the work and travel permits.
Summary
A marriage green card costs about $2,955 to $3,005 in USCIS fees if the immigrant spouse is already in the U.S. and the couple files for a work permit and travel permit at the same time. If the spouse is abroad and applies through a U.S. embassy, the government fees come to about $1,305 to $1,355. Add roughly $200 to $500 for the medical exam, $20 to $40 per page for any document translations, and the cost of passport-style photos. Most articles you'll see still say the work permit (I-765) and travel permit (I-131) are free when filed with the green card application. They are not. As of April 1, 2024, USCIS charges $260 and $630 for those forms even when they go in the same envelope.
At a glance
| Most-common total, spouse already in the U.S. (Adjustment of Status, with work permit and travel permit included) | About $2,955 to $3,005 in USCIS fees |
| Bare-minimum total, spouse already in the U.S. (Adjustment of Status, no work permit or travel permit) | About $2,065 to $2,115 in USCIS fees |
| Most-common total, spouse abroad (Consular Processing through a U.S. embassy) | About $1,305 to $1,355 in government fees |
| Medical exam | $200 to $500 typical, paid to the doctor (not USCIS) |
| Document translations | $20 to $40 per page certified |
| Attorney representation (full case) | $3,500 to $8,000 typical, plus government fees |
| Self-help software (Green Card Genius) | $99 flat, plus government fees |
| Down the road (if the marriage is under 2 years old when the green card is approved) | Form I-751 (the second filing to swap the 2-year card for the 10-year card): $750 |
Figures are current as of May 2026 and pulled from the USCIS G-1055 fee schedule, the State Department's visa fee table, and the April 1, 2024 USCIS final fee rule. Verify before filing.
How much does a marriage green card cost in 2026?
For most couples filing the marriage green card from inside the U.S. with a work permit and travel permit included (USCIS calls filing all of these together “concurrent filing”), USCIS fees total $2,955 if the petition that opens the case (Form I-130) is filed online, or $3,005 if Form I-130 is filed by mail. For couples where the immigrant spouse lives abroad and applies through a U.S. embassy, the government fees total about $1,305 to $1,355. Both totals are before the medical exam, translations, photos, shipping, and any optional service fees.
Two things to know up front. First, fees change when USCIS updates its fee schedule (Form G-1055). Watch for any future rule that adjusts the green card application fee. Second, the fees below assume one applicant. Children getting their green cards at the same time as a parent pay a reduced application fee ($950 each instead of $1,440 if filed with a parent and under 14).
Try it: a quick budget for the most common case
A 30-year-old immigrant spouse already in the U.S., married to a U.S. citizen, filing concurrently for the green card, work permit, and travel permit, mailing the packet (because marriage-based I-485 has no online option as of May 2026):
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Form I-130 (the petition the U.S. citizen files to start the case), online | $625 |
| Form I-485 (the actual green card application, used inside the U.S.), fingerprint and photo appointment included | $1,440 |
| Form I-130A (a one-page supplement filled out by the immigrant spouse) | $0 |
| Form I-864 (the sponsor's signed promise of financial support) | $0 |
| Form I-765 (the work permit application) filed with I-485 | $260 |
| Form I-131 (the travel permit application, also called Advance Parole) filed with I-485 | $630 |
| Medical exam (USCIS-approved doctor) | ~$300 |
| Two passport-style photos | ~$15 |
| Certified translation (1 birth certificate, 1 page) | ~$30 |
| USPS Priority Mail to the USCIS mailing address (USCIS calls it a 'lockbox') | ~$15 |
| USCIS subtotal | $2,955 |
| Real-world total | ~$3,315 |
If the I-130 is mailed instead of filed online (the I-485 still has to be mailed), add $50 to the USCIS subtotal. The full real-world budget for a typical concurrent AOS case in 2026 is in the $3,000 to $3,500 range, before any optional attorney or self-help service fees.
Accuracy Check
The fee that everyone gets wrong
If you've read three or four other articles on this topic, at least one of them probably told you that the work permit (I-765) and travel permit (I-131) are free when filed with the I-485. That used to be true. It hasn't been since April 1, 2024.
USCIS published the final fee rule on January 31, 2024 with an April 1, 2024 effective date. The rule “unbundled” the I-485 from the related forms. Now:
- Form I-765 filed with I-485 costs $260. This is half the standard standalone fee of $520. USCIS calls it the “concurrent filing reduction.” It is not free.
- Form I-131 filed with I-485 costs $630. This is the same as the standalone fee. There is no concurrent reduction.
The reason this matters: a couple budgeting against the old “free work and travel permits” claim plans for about $2,065 in USCIS fees, then gets to the USCIS mailing address and discovers the real total is about $890 higher. That's a real number for a real family, and the wrong articles are still on page one of Google.
The Catholic Legal Immigration Network published a clear summary in 2024 documenting the change. Several practitioner blogs that haven't been updated since early 2024 still have the wrong figure. Date-check anything you read on this topic.
USCIS fees when the spouse is already in the U.S. (Adjustment of Status)
When the immigrant spouse is already inside the U.S. after a lawful entry, applying for the green card without leaving the country is called Adjustment of Status (often shortened to AOS). It uses the forms below. The green card application itself (Form I-485) must be mailed for marriage-based cases in 2026 (USCIS has only rolled out online filing for some employment-based cases). The petition that opens the case (Form I-130) has an online option that saves $50.
| Form | Purpose | Online | Paper |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-130 (the petition that opens the case) | Proves the marriage is real and starts the case with USCIS | $625 | $675 |
| I-130A (one-page supplement from the immigrant spouse) | Background information on the immigrant spouse | $0 | $0 |
| I-485 (the green card application itself) | The main green card application; fingerprint and photo appointment included | n/a | $1,440 |
| I-864 (the sponsor's financial promise) | The U.S. citizen spouse's signed promise to support the immigrant spouse financially | $0 | $0 |
| I-693 (the medical exam report) | USCIS form is free; the exam itself is paid to the doctor | $0 | $0 |
| I-765 (the work permit application) filed with I-485 | Lets the immigrant spouse work in the U.S. while the green card is pending | n/a | $260 |
| I-131 (the travel permit application, also called Advance Parole) filed with I-485 | Lets the immigrant spouse travel internationally while the green card is pending | n/a | $630 |
| Total (most-common concurrent case) | $2,955 | $3,005 | |
| Total (bare-minimum, no EAD or AP) | $2,065 | $2,115 | |
A few things worth knowing about each line:
- I-130 online vs paper. Filing the I-130 online through a USCIS account saves $50. Many couples still mail it because they want to keep the petition packet together with the I-485, which has to be mailed. Either way works.
- The green card application fee covers the fingerprint and photo appointment. Before April 1, 2024, USCIS billed an $85 fingerprint and photo fee (USCIS calls this “biometrics”) separately. As of April 2024, that fee is built into the $1,440. There is no separate check to write.
- Child green card application fee. A child under 14 filing with a parent's green card application pays $950 instead of $1,440. A child 14 or older pays the full $1,440 plus an $85 fingerprint and photo fee.
- I-130A and I-864 are free. They are required forms, but USCIS does not charge a fee for them. Don't believe any service that itemizes a “fee” for them.
- Skipping the work and travel permits. Couples can skip the work permit (Form I-765) and travel permit (Form I-131) if the immigrant spouse already has permission to work from another visa (a temporary work visa like the H-1B, for example) and isn't planning to travel. This drops the USCIS total to about $2,065 to $2,115. Most couples don't skip them, because the immigrant spouse otherwise can't legally work or leave the country until the green card is approved, which can be a year or more.
For form-specific deep dives, see the I-130 guide, the I-485 guide, and the I-864 guide. For the full process walkthrough, see the Adjustment of Status guide.
Government fees when the spouse is abroad (Consular Processing)
When the immigrant spouse lives outside the U.S. and applies for the green card at a U.S. embassy or consulate, the path is called Consular Processing (often shortened to CP). The fees are different and lower, because work permits and travel permits aren't part of the package. The spouse stays abroad until the immigrant visa is approved, then enters the U.S. as a permanent resident (a green card holder).
| Fee | Where it goes | Online | Paper |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-130 (the petition that opens the case) | USCIS | $625 | $675 |
| DS-260 (the immigrant visa application the spouse fills out from abroad) | State Department | $325 | $325 |
| I-864 review (the sponsor's financial promise, reviewed by the National Visa Center) | National Visa Center (the State Department office that handles cases between USCIS approval and the embassy interview) | $120 | $120 |
| USCIS Immigrant Fee (pays for printing and mailing the physical green card) | USCIS, paid after visa approval | $235 | $235 |
| Consular processing total (one applicant) | $1,305 | $1,355 | |
A few notes:
- The immigrant visa application fee (Form DS-260) is per person. Each immigrant family member pays $325. The financial-promise review fee (for Form I-864) is one per case, regardless of how many family members are in the same petition.
- The USCIS Immigrant Fee pays for the green card itself. USCIS prints and mails the physical card after the immigrant spouse arrives in the U.S. on the visa. Pay it before traveling, or the card won't be produced.
- The medical exam abroad is separate. Embassies use designated panel physicians. Costs vary by country, often higher than U.S. civil surgeon prices.
- Visa-issuance fee for some countries. A small extra fee (the State Department calls it a “reciprocity fee” because it mirrors what that country charges U.S. citizens) may apply at the embassy for certain countries. Check the State Department reciprocity table for your country. For most marriage-based spousal visa cases (the State Department calls these IR-1 if the marriage was 2+ years old at approval, or CR-1 if it was less than 2 years old) the fee is $0.
For the full pathway walkthrough, see the Consular Processing guide. For help choosing between AOS and CP, see AOS vs Consular Processing.
What the medical exam costs
The USCIS medical exam (the doctor fills out Form I-693) costs $200 to $500 at a typical USCIS-approved doctor (USCIS calls them “civil surgeons”), with some couples paying as much as $1,000 if many vaccines are missing. The doctor sets the price; USCIS does not regulate it. Couples in lower-cost cities often pay $200 to $300; couples in major metro areas often pay $400 to $500 for the exam itself, plus vaccine costs.
A few cost levers:
- Shop around. Civil-surgeon prices vary widely in the same metro area. USCIS's civil surgeon locator lets you compare nearby providers. Call three or four to get quotes before booking.
- Get vaccines elsewhere. Some civil surgeons charge $100 or more per vaccine. Drugstore pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens) and county health clinics often charge $15 to $80. Bring proof of any vaccine to the civil surgeon to count it toward the exam.
- Bring your immunization record. The single fastest way to keep the cost down is to bring documented proof of every vaccine you've already had. Childhood records from your home country count if they're translated. Anything missing from the USCIS-required list will need to be administered before the doctor signs off.
- If applying through a U.S. embassy abroad. Embassies use an approved doctor in the country where the immigrant spouse lives (the State Department calls them “panel physicians”), not a U.S. civil surgeon. Prices vary by country. Many of these doctors charge $200 to $400, but some countries are higher.
Since December 2, 2024, USCIS expects the sealed medical exam envelope (Form I-693) inside the green card application packet (Form I-485) at filing. Sending the green card application without it can get the packet rejected outright. Plan to schedule the exam two to four weeks before mailing the packet.
What document translations cost
Any document not originally in English must come with a certified English translation. For most marriage-based cases that means the immigrant spouse's birth certificate, plus marriage and divorce documents from non-English-speaking countries. Certified translation runs $20 to $40 per page at most online services and $25 to $60 per page at higher-end providers.
A page is usually defined as up to 250 words, so a typical foreign birth certificate is one page. Marriage certificates are usually one page. A divorce decree can be three to ten pages.
What “certified” means: the translator (or translation service) signs a one-paragraph statement attesting to accuracy and competence. USCIS does not require a notary or a sworn translator. Online services like RushTranslate, the Word Point, and several others handle USCIS translations and ship the certified packet within 24 to 48 hours.
A couple translating one birth certificate and a marriage certificate from a non-English country typically pays $40 to $80 total. Couples translating multiple long documents can spend $200 to $400.
Other costs that catch couples off guard
A few line items that don't always make the headline budget.
Passport-style photos
USCIS asks for two for the green card application packet (and additional photos if the work permit and travel permit are also filed). Drugstores charge $10 to $20 for a pair. Some online services do digital sets for $5 to $10.
State vital records
Couples often need a certified birth certificate, marriage certificate, or divorce decree they don't already have. Each costs $15 to $40 to order from the issuing state, plus shipping.
FBI background check
Required only if the immigrant spouse has a complicated immigration history. The FBI Identity History Summary costs $18.
Money order or G-1450 credit card form
USCIS does not take cash. Money orders cost $1 to $5 per check. Form G-1450 lets you use a credit card, free.
USPS Priority Mail or Express to the USCIS mailing address
USCIS calls its packet-receiving address a 'lockbox.' Most couples spend $10 to $30 to ship the packet with tracking and signature confirmation. Send tracked, not first-class.
Trip costs for the embassy interview (Consular Processing only)
If the embassy interview is far from where the immigrant spouse lives, plan for travel and lodging. Couples filing through embassies in expensive countries sometimes spend $500 to $1,500 just on the interview trip.
Re-do costs for missing evidence
When the packet is incomplete, USCIS sends a letter asking for the missing piece. (This letter is called a Request for Evidence, or RFE.) Responding doesn't cost a USCIS fee, but it can cost weeks of delay and sometimes another medical exam if the original medical report (Form I-693) expires.
The cleanest way to keep the surprise budget low is to pull every required document early and make a checklist. The marriage green card document checklist walks through the standard packet.
What a lawyer costs
A flat-fee immigration attorney for a full marriage-based green card case typically charges $3,500 to $8,000 in attorney fees, on top of the USCIS filing fees. For consular processing the range is often slightly lower, $2,500 to $4,500.
A typical flat-fee package covers:
- Initial case strategy and eligibility review
- Drafting and reviewing every form
- Drafting the cover letter and assembling the packet
- Filing the packet with USCIS
- Responding to any Request for Evidence (sometimes; ask)
- Preparing the couple for the interview
- Attending the interview with the couple
What a flat fee usually does not cover:
- USCIS filing fees ($2,955 to $3,005 for the standard inside-the-U.S. case with work and travel permits included)
- The medical exam
- Translations
- Travel costs for the interview
An attorney makes sense when the case has real legal complexity: entry without inspection, prior removal, criminal record, prior marriage fraud allegations, public-charge issues, or a hard-to-document financial picture. For the standard “U.S. citizen marries someone here on a valid visa” case, the bottleneck is almost always thoroughness, not legal strategy. Many of those couples either file directly with USCIS using the free form instructions or use a self-help service to handle the paperwork mechanics.
For more on this trade-off, see Do I need a lawyer for a marriage green card?
What self-help services cost
Self-help services sit between “do it yourself with USCIS instructions” and “hire a lawyer.” They walk a couple through plain-English questions, fill in the USCIS forms, and assemble the packet. Pricing varies a lot.
| Service | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Filing directly with USCIS using free instructions | $0 service fee | DIY, you do all the work |
| Green Card Genius | $99 flat | All required forms, plain-English questions, document checklist, denial protection on the $99 service fee |
| CitizenPath | About $279 per form (for example, the green card application, Form I-485) | Per-form preparation, satisfaction guarantee on service fees |
| Boundless | $600 to $1,500 | Guided application, attorney-of-record review |
| SimpleCitizen Essentials | $599 | DIY application preparation |
| SimpleCitizen Enhanced | $899 | Adds attorney review |
| SimpleCitizen Professional | $1,299 | Adds professional legal support |
Government filing fees are separate from every service fee in this table. None of these services include the $2,955 to $3,005 in USCIS fees.
How Green Card Genius fits
Green Card Genius is self-help immigration software built specifically for marriage-based green card cases. The software walks a couple through plain-English questions, fills in the USCIS forms based on the answers, and prepares the full packet for the couple to review and sign. The one-time fee is $99 flat, a fraction of typical attorney fees of $2,000 to $5,000+.
What the $99 covers
- All required forms for the chosen pathway (the petition, supplements, financial-promise, work permit, and travel permit for filing inside the U.S.; the petition, immigrant visa application, and financial-promise for filing through a U.S. embassy)
- Plain-English questions instead of confusing government forms
- A personalized document checklist
- Step-by-step guidance through every required form
- Fast, included support for product and process questions
- The Denial Protection Guarantee: if USCIS denies the application, GCG refunds the $99 service fee
What the $99 does not cover
- USCIS filing fees, which the couple pays directly to the government when filing
- The medical exam
- Document translations
- Optional attorney consultation if the case has legal complications
A note on the guarantee: government filing fees paid directly to USCIS are non-refundable, since those fees go to the government and not to GCG. The Denial Protection Guarantee returns the $99 GCG fee. No software company or non-attorney can guarantee a USCIS approval. Approval depends on the facts, the law, and the officer reviewing the case.
Green Card Genius is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. For complex cases, an attorney is the right call.
Can you get a fee waiver?
Yes, in some cases. USCIS offers a fee waiver through Form I-912 for applicants who can show one of three things:
- They (or a household member) currently receive a means-tested public benefit (SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, SSI, public housing).
- Their household income is at or below 150% of the HHS Federal Poverty Guidelines.
- They have a documented financial hardship that prevents paying the fees, even if they don't meet the income or benefits criteria.
A few things to know about fee waivers for a marriage-based case filed inside the U.S.:
- The fee waiver applies to most, but not all, of the fees in the packet. The green card application (I-485), work permit (I-765), travel permit (I-131), and petition (I-130) are typically waivable for eligible filers. Some newer fees added by Congress in 2025 and 2026 cannot be waived; check the current Form I-912 instructions before relying on a waiver for any specific fee.
- Fee waivers must be filed on paper, not online. Filing an online application and asking for a waiver usually doesn't work.
- Approval is not automatic. USCIS reviews each I-912 individually. Plan a backup in case the waiver is denied.
- The U.S. citizen sponsor's income is what counts for the financial-promise income floor (Form I-864 requires income at or above 125% of the poverty guidelines, which is $27,050 for a household of two as of March 2026). The household income for fee waiver purposes is calculated separately at 150% of the poverty guidelines.
For a deeper look at the income side of this question, see What if the U.S. citizen sponsor's income is too low?
The cost down the road: the second filing two years later (Form I-751)
If the marriage is less than two years old on the day USCIS approves the green card, the immigrant spouse first gets a conditional green card valid for two years, not the standard ten-year card. To swap it for the regular ten-year green card, the couple files Form I-751 (the petition to remove the two-year condition) in the 90 days before the conditional card expires.
The I-751 filing costs $750 (effective January 1, 2026; the fingerprint and photo appointment is included). Most couples handle it themselves or use the same self-help software for a small additional fee.
If the marriage is two or more years old at approval, the green card is valid for ten years right away and there's no second filing to make. The fee disappears.
Two example budgets for couples filing inside the U.S.
Two examples to anchor the numbers. Both assume one immigrant spouse, no children getting a green card at the same time, and no second sponsor stepping in to help meet the income requirement.
Scenario 1: Maria and Jake (typical case, work and travel permits filed together with the green card application)
Maria entered the U.S. on a tourist visa (a B-1/B-2 visitor visa), met Jake (a U.S. citizen), they married six months later. Maria wants to keep working remotely for her foreign employer and travel to her sister's wedding next year. They file the green card application along with the work permit and travel permit, all in one packet.
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| I-130 (the petition that opens the case), online | $625 |
| I-485 (the green card application), paper | $1,440 |
| I-765 (work permit), filed with I-485 | $260 |
| I-131 (travel permit), filed with I-485 | $630 |
| Medical exam | $350 |
| Translations (Maria's birth certificate from Spanish) | $35 |
| Photos | $15 |
| Priority Mail to the USCIS mailing address | $20 |
| Maria and Jake's total | $3,375 |
- If they choose to use Green Card Genius for the paperwork: add $99. Total: $3,474.
- If they hire a flat-fee attorney instead: add $5,000. Total: $8,375.
- If they file directly with USCIS using only the free form instructions: $3,375.
Scenario 2: Wei and Sam (bare-minimum case, no work permit or travel permit)
Wei is in the U.S. on an H-1B visa (a temporary work visa for skilled workers), already has permission to work, and isn't planning to travel internationally while the green card is pending. They skip the work permit and travel permit applications.
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| I-130 (the petition that opens the case), online | $625 |
| I-485 (the green card application), paper | $1,440 |
| Medical exam | $300 |
| Translations | $0 (no foreign-language documents) |
| Photos | $15 |
| Priority Mail | $15 |
| Wei and Sam's total | $2,395 |
The trade-off: if Wei changes employers, the H-1B is tied to the current employer and the visa needs to be transferred (which has its own costs and timing). Most couples accept the $890 in additional work-permit and travel-permit fees as the cost of insurance against losing legal work and travel for a year or more.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a marriage green card cost in 2026?
For couples filing from inside the U.S. (this path is called Adjustment of Status) with the standard work permit and travel permit added in, USCIS fees total about $2,955 to $3,005 as of May 2026. For couples where the immigrant spouse is abroad and applies through a U.S. embassy (this path is called Consular Processing), government fees total about $1,305 to $1,355. Add $200 to $500 for the medical exam, plus translations and photos.
Are the work permit (Form I-765) and travel permit (Form I-131) free when filed with the green card application (Form I-485)?
No. They were free before April 1, 2024, but the USCIS final fee rule that took effect that day separated them out. As of May 2026, the work permit (I-765) filed with the green card application (I-485) costs $260, and the travel permit (I-131) filed with I-485 costs $630. Articles that still say these forms are free have not been updated since early 2024.
Is the fingerprint and photo appointment fee separate from the green card application fee?
No. Before April 1, 2024, USCIS billed an $85 fingerprint and photo fee (USCIS calls this 'biometrics') separately. As of April 1, 2024, that fee is built into the $1,440 fee for the green card application (Form I-485). There is no separate check to write.
Can I file the green card application (Form I-485) online for a marriage-based case?
Not as of May 2026. USCIS has rolled out online filing of the green card application for some employment-based applicants, but family-based and marriage-based filings still must be sent by mail. The petition that opens the case (Form I-130) does have an online option, which saves $50.
How much does the medical exam cost?
$200 to $500 at most USCIS-approved doctors in the U.S. (USCIS calls them 'civil surgeons'), with some cases reaching $1,000 if many vaccines are needed. Embassies use approved doctors abroad (called 'panel physicians') with prices that vary by country. Vaccine costs are usually separate; getting vaccines at a drugstore pharmacy or county clinic often saves money.
How much does an immigration lawyer cost for a marriage green card?
A typical flat-fee attorney charges $3,500 to $8,000 for a full case filed inside the U.S. (Adjustment of Status), or $2,500 to $4,500 for a case filed through a U.S. embassy abroad (Consular Processing). USCIS filing fees are separate. An attorney is often the right call for cases with legal complications (entry without inspection, prior removal, criminal history, prior fraud allegations); for standard cases, self-help options work for a fraction of the cost.
Are there fee waivers available?
Yes, through Form I-912 (the fee-waiver request form), for applicants who receive a means-tested public benefit, have household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, or can document a financial hardship. Fee waivers must be filed on paper. Approval is case-by-case, so plan a backup in case the waiver is denied.
What's the cheapest way to get a marriage green card?
The lowest possible cost is filing directly with USCIS using free form instructions and skipping the work permit and travel permit if they're not needed. That can bring USCIS fees as low as $2,065. Adding back the work and travel permits costs about $890 more, which is usually worth it. Self-help software like Green Card Genius adds $99 for the paperwork mechanics. Boundless or SimpleCitizen Premium add $600 to $1,500.
What if my marriage is less than two years old when the green card is approved?
The immigrant spouse first gets a conditional two-year green card. About two years later, the couple files Form I-751 (the petition to swap the 2-year card for the regular 10-year card) in the 90 days before the conditional card expires. I-751 costs $750 as of January 1, 2026, with the fingerprint and photo appointment included.
Are USCIS fees refundable if my application is denied?
No. USCIS fees pay for the work USCIS does to review the application, regardless of the outcome. If the application is denied, the fees are not returned. Some self-help services and law firms offer service-fee guarantees; the Green Card Genius Denial Protection Guarantee returns the $99 service fee if USCIS denies the application. Government fees paid to USCIS are not part of any service-fee guarantee.
Key takeaways
- ✓
Most couples filing inside the U.S. (the path called Adjustment of Status, or AOS) with the work permit and travel permit included pay about $2,955 to $3,005 in USCIS fees, plus $200 to $500 for the medical exam and small amounts for translations, photos, and shipping.
- ✓
Most couples filing through a U.S. embassy abroad (the path called Consular Processing, or CP) pay about $1,305 to $1,355 in government fees, plus the medical exam, translations, and trip costs.
- ✓
The work permit (Form I-765) and travel permit (Form I-131) filed with the green card application (Form I-485) are not free as of April 1, 2024. They cost $260 and $630. Articles that say otherwise are stale.
- ✓
The fingerprint and photo appointment fee is bundled into the $1,440 green card application fee, not a separate $85 charge.
- ✓
Marriage-based green card applications (Form I-485) must be filed by mail in 2026; only the petition that opens the case (Form I-130) has an online option (which saves $50).
- ✓
A self-help service typically costs $99 to $1,500 in addition to the USCIS fees. A flat-fee immigration lawyer typically costs $3,500 to $8,000.
- ✓
For marriages under two years old at green card approval, plan for an additional $750 to file Form I-751 (the petition to swap the 2-year card for the 10-year card) about two years later.
- ✓
Fee waivers exist (Form I-912) for filers who receive means-tested benefits, have low household income, or can show financial hardship. Most fees in a marriage-based AOS case can be waived.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Green Card Genius is self-help immigration software, not a law firm, and does not provide legal representation. Immigration law and USCIS fees change. For advice on a specific case, consult a licensed immigration attorney. Information is current as of May 2026; verify any fee against the USCIS G-1055 fee schedule before relying on it.
Continue reading
- 01How Long Does a Marriage Green Card Take? (2026)
- 02Adjustment of Status Guide (2026): Marriage Green Card
- 03Consular Processing Guide (2026): Marriage Green Card
- 04Marriage Green Card Document Checklist (2026)
- 05What If the Petitioner's Income Is Too Low? Joint Sponsor Options
- 06I-864 Income Calculator: Green Card Affidavit of Support (2026)
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