One of the most common questions families and employers ask before starting an immigration case is how much it will cost. The answer has gotten more complicated in recent years. USCIS has implemented multiple fee increases, added new fee categories for asylum and parole-based applications, and expanded premium processing to additional form types. If you are relying on fee information from even a year ago, it is likely outdated.
This guide provides the current USCIS filing fees for the most commonly used immigration forms in 2026, along with information about fee waivers, payment methods, and the newer fees introduced under recent legislation.
At The Lozano Law Firm, Board-Certified Immigration Attorney Alfredo Lozano helps families and employers across Texas plan and budget for their immigration cases. Knowing the real costs upfront prevents surprises and helps you make informed decisions.
Family Immigration Fees
These are the forms most commonly filed by individuals and families pursuing green cards, citizenship, and related benefits.
I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative): $625. This is the starting petition for most family-based immigration cases, whether you are sponsoring a spouse, parent, child, or sibling.
I-485 (Adjustment of Status): $1,440 for applicants age 14 and older. $950 for applicants under 14 filing with a parent. The I-485 fee includes the cost of biometrics and, in many cases, the initial Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and advance parole document when filed concurrently.
N-400 (Application for Naturalization): $760. This includes the $85 biometrics fee. Applicants age 75 and older are exempt from the biometrics fee. The reduced fee for applicants with household income between 150% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines is $380.
I-751 (Remove Conditions on Residence): $850 plus $85 biometrics, totaling $935. Filed by conditional residents to convert a two-year marriage-based green card to a permanent ten-year card.
I-90 (Renew Permanent Resident Card): $540, which includes $455 for the form and $85 for biometrics.
I-131 (Application for Travel Document / Advance Parole): $630 when filed as a standalone application. When filed concurrently with I-485, the fee may be included in the I-485 filing fee.
I-765 (Employment Authorization Document / EAD):
$410 for most categories. When filed concurrently with I-485, the fee may be included in the I-485 fee. New fees for asylum and parole-based EADs apply (see below).
I-129F (K-1 Fiance Visa Petition): $580.
I-864 (Affidavit of Support): No filing fee. The I-864 is submitted as part of the adjustment of status or consular processing package.
Business and Employment Immigration Fees
Employer-sponsored immigration involves fees paid by the employer, the worker, or both depending on the form and category.
I-129 (Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker): The base fee varies by employer size. Small employers (25 or fewer employees) pay $780. Larger employers pay $1,655. Additional fees may apply depending on the visa category, including the fraud prevention and detection fee ($500 for H-1B and L-1) and the ACWIA training fee ($750 for small employers, $1,500 for large employers on H-1B petitions).
I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers): $715. Filed by employers for EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 green card petitions. Premium processing is available for an additional $2,805.
I-526E (EB-5 Investor Petition): $3,675. This is the petition for investors seeking permanent residence through the EB-5 program.
ETA-9089 (PERM Labor Certification): No filing fee to the Department of Labor. However, the recruitment process (advertisements, job postings) and attorney fees associated with PERM represent significant costs.
I-907 (Premium Processing): $2,805. Available for I-129, I-140, I-539, and certain I-765 categories. Guarantees an initial USCIS response within 15 or 30 business days depending on the form type.
New Fees in 2026
Several fee changes took effect in 2025 and 2026 that affect specific applicant groups.
Asylum-based EADs. Under provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, initial EAD applications for asylum seekers (category c-8) now carry a $550 filing fee. Renewals cost $275. Previously, asylum-based EADs were filed without a fee. This is a significant change for asylum applicants who may have limited financial resources.
Parole-based EADs. Certain parole-based EAD categories also carry the new $550 initial / $275 renewal fee structure.
Military Parole in Place. The filing fee for Military Parole in Place applications is $1,000 as of October 2025.
H-1B registration fee. The H-1B electronic registration fee increased to $215 per beneficiary for the FY2027 registration period, up from $10 in prior years.
H-1B new petition fee. Under the September 2025 presidential proclamation, new H-1B visa petitions carry a $100,000 payment requirement. This applies to petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025 and has significantly changed the economics of H-1B sponsorship.
Fee Waivers: Who Qualifies
USCIS offers fee waivers through Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, for applicants who can demonstrate inability to pay. Not all forms are eligible for fee waivers.
Forms that accept fee waivers include: I-90, N-400, I-751, I-765, I-131, and several others. The full list is available in the I-912 instructions.
Forms that do NOT accept fee waivers include: I-130, I-485, I-140, I-129, I-526E, and I-907 (premium processing).
Eligibility criteria for fee waivers:
You may qualify for a fee waiver if you can demonstrate one of the following: you are currently receiving a means-tested government benefit (Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, TANF); your household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines; or you are experiencing financial hardship that prevents you from paying the fee even though your income exceeds 150% of the poverty line.
Supporting documentation for fee waivers includes benefit approval letters, tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and a written explanation of financial hardship. USCIS adjudicates fee waiver requests and may deny them if the evidence is insufficient.
Payment Methods
USCIS accepts payment by check, money order, or credit/debit card depending on the filing method.
Paper filings: Check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.” Do not send cash. Personal checks are accepted but may delay processing if they bounce.
Online filings (myUSCIS): Credit card, debit card, or direct withdrawal from a U.S. bank account. Online payment is processed immediately.
At USCIS offices: Some in-person filings accept credit/debit cards. Check the specific office’s payment options before visiting.
Budgeting for the Full Cost of an Immigration Case
The USCIS filing fee is only one component of the total cost. A realistic budget should also account for:
Attorney fees. Immigration attorneys charge separately for their legal services. Fees vary based on the complexity of the case, the type of application, and the attorney’s experience. A
board-certified immigration attorney may charge more than a general practitioner but brings specialized expertise that reduces the risk of costly errors and denials.
Medical examination. The immigration medical exam (Form I-693) required for adjustment of status typically costs $200 to $500 depending on the physician and any required vaccinations.
Translation and document costs. Foreign-language documents must be translated by a certified translator. Birth certificates, marriage certificates, police clearances, and educational credentials may need to be obtained from abroad. These costs add up, especially for cases involving multiple countries.
Travel costs. Consular processing cases involve travel to the U.S. embassy or consulate, which may include flights, lodging, and time away from work. Applicants processing through Ciudad Juarez from the Eagle Pass area have the advantage of proximity.
Biometrics and photos. Passport-style photos are required for most applications. Biometrics fees are usually included in the filing fee but occasionally billed separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are USCIS fees refundable if my case is denied?
No. USCIS filing fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome. The fee covers the cost of processing the application, not a guaranteed result. If your application is rejected (returned before processing, as opposed to denied on the merits), the fee is refunded.
Can I pay USCIS fees in installments?
USCIS does not offer installment plans. The full fee must be submitted with the application. Some immigration attorneys offer payment plans for their legal fees, but the USCIS government fee must be paid in full at filing.
Do fees change every year?
USCIS does not raise fees on a fixed annual schedule, but fee adjustments have become more frequent. The most recent major fee rule took effect in April 2024, with additional category-specific changes in 2025 and 2026. Always check the current fee schedule on uscis.gov before filing.
What happens if I send the wrong fee amount?
USCIS will reject your application and return the incorrect payment. You must refile with the correct amount. This can cost you weeks of processing time, so verify the fee before mailing.
Does my employer pay the filing fees for work visas?
For H-1B petitions, the employer is required to pay the base filing fee, the fraud prevention fee, and the ACWIA training fee. The employer cannot pass these costs to the employee. For other visa types, the payment obligation varies. Premium processing fees can be paid by either the employer or the employee.
Plan Your Immigration Budget
Knowing the real costs before you start prevents delays, rejected filings, and financial surprises. Whether you are filing a family petition, an employer-sponsored visa, or a citizenship application, understanding the full fee picture helps you plan with confidence.
Board-Certified Immigration Attorney Alfredo Lozano holds Board Certification in Immigration and Nationality Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. The Lozano Law Firm helps clients across San Antonio, Eagle Pass, and San Angelo understand their options and costs before filing.
Contact us to schedule your consultation and get a clear picture of your immigration costs.
