How much do different types of immigration to the USA cost?

Becoming a US citizen or permanent resident is not only time consuming and tedious, but also expensive. The entire process can cost an immigrant between $ 2 and $ 000, depending on the forms he needs to fill out and whether he needs a lawyer. Let's break down all the costs point by point.

USCIS Forms

When you apply to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), you need to pay the filing fees of one form or another. Prices are very different and depend on which form you need to submit. Applying for nonimmigrant status is usually cheaper than applying for an immigration petition. For example, a Nonimmigrant Worker Form (I-129) in 2021 costs $ 460, and an application for an Immigrant Worker Visa (Form I-140) costs $ 700.

The cost of filing the most popular forms for obtaining a green card or US citizenship:

• Form I-130 (Family Reunification Green Card) - $ 535 Form I-864 (confirmation of the applicant's willingness to provide financial support to the relative) is free.
• Form I-129F (Application to Move to the United States of the Bridegroom or Bride) - $ 535. You also need proof of financial support - Form I-134 - it's free.
• Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) - $ 640
• Form I-485 (change of status) - $ 1

You can view the filing fees for all forms here.

In addition, the USCIS website has calculatorwhich allows you to calculate your costs for filing one form or another.

Collection of biometric data

Some forms, such as an application for naturalization, require the submission of biometric data. This service costs $ 85.

Petition fees

As with the forms, the amount you will need to pay as a petition fee will vary depending on the nature of your application. There are no fees for asylum seekers, for all other applications there is a flat fee for filing an application.

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For example, if you won the green card lottery, then you must pay $ 330 for each person to process your application. Fees for other petitions are available here.

IMPORTANT: Fees for filling out forms and processing petitions will have to be paid immediately and are not refundable, regardless of the outcome of your case.

Medical expenses

The United States requires all immigrant visa applicants to undergo a medical examination and receive certain vaccinations before entering the country. The cost of such an examination varies from country to country, but averages around $ 250 per person.

You will have to pay extra for vaccinations separately - 15-20 dollars for one. List of required vaccinations - here to register:.

Visa fees

Each US visa recipient must pay a $ 220 visa fee.

Other expenses

If you have a bad immigration history or a criminal record, you will have to submit additional forms and documents and pay for a lawyer. Hiring a lawyer is optional, but having one can greatly simplify the process, especially given the ever-changing immigration rules.

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The standard immigration attorney fee ranges from $ 3000 to $ 4000 for an H-1B work visa. Fees can easily rise to $ 10 if you have been previously deported. Family reunification attorney assistance typically costs between $ 000 and $ 800.

If you are applying for citizenship, then additional costs may be associated with English courses and test preparation.

In addition, when applying for a visa, you need to submit documents professionally translated into English to the American Embassy, ​​this is about $ 10 more per document.