How to Pay for Your Green Card Application and Fees

What you actually pay for when you apply for a green card

A green card itself does not cost money to own once you have it. What costs money is the application process — the government charges fees to review your paperwork, run background checks, and process your case. The fee amount depends on which path you are taking to get a green card (family sponsorship, employment, diversity visa, refugee status, and so on) and whether you are applying from inside or outside the United States.

You pay these fees to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which is the federal agency that handles green card cases. The payment itself is straightforward — you send a check, money order, or credit card payment along with your application forms. The harder part is knowing which forms to file, which fees apply to your situation, and whether you owe one fee or multiple ones.

Key Takeaways

• Green card application fees vary by category (family, employment, diversity visa) and range from around $300 to $1,000 depending on your path, with additional fees sometimes required for medical exams and background checks.
• You pay USCIS directly by check, money order, or credit card when you mail or file your application, and the agency will reject incomplete applications if the payment does not match the required amount.
• Some applicants pay a separate fee to have their medical exam done by an approved USCIS doctor, which is not included in the application fee itself.
• If your case is denied, USCIS does not refund the application fee, so understanding which forms and fees apply to your specific situation before you file saves money and prevents delays.

The main application fees and what they cover

The most common green card path is family sponsorship, where a U.S. citizen or permanent resident relative petitions for you. If you are applying through family sponsorship from outside the United States, you typically file Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) and pay a filing fee. As of now, that fee is around $640 for most applicants, though USCIS adjusts fees periodically and the amount can vary slightly.

Employment-based green cards have their own fee structure. Your employer files a petition first (Form I-140), which has a separate fee, and then you file your own adjustment application with its own fee. The total cost across both forms is typically higher than family sponsorship — often $1,000 or more when combined.

Diversity visa winners (those selected through the annual visa lottery) pay a fee when they file their adjustment application, similar to family-sponsored applicants. Refugees and asylees who are adjusting status to permanent resident also pay a fee, though the amount may differ from other categories.

How to pay and what payment methods USCIS accepts

When you mail your application to USCIS, you include payment in the same envelope. USCIS accepts personal checks, cashier's checks, and money orders made payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security." Do not send cash through the mail. Write your name and case number on the back of the check or money order so USCIS can match the payment to your application.

If you are filing online through USCIS's online portal (available for some application types), you can pay by credit card or debit card directly in the system. The online payment is processed immediately, and you receive a confirmation number. This method is faster and safer than mailing a check, but not all green card applications can be filed online yet — it depends on your category and your location.

Never send payment separately from your application. USCIS will not process your case until the payment and the forms arrive together. If you mail your forms and the payment arrives late or goes to the wrong address, your application may be rejected or delayed by months.

Medical exam fees and biometric services fees

Beyond the application fee itself, you will likely pay for a medical exam. USCIS requires all green card applicants to have a physical exam, blood tests, and vaccinations reviewed by a doctor on USCIS's approved list. You pay the doctor directly for this exam — it is not part of the application fee. The cost varies by location and doctor, but typically ranges from $200 to $500.

You will also pay for biometric services (fingerprinting and photos) if USCIS requires them for your background check. Some applicants pay this fee at a USCIS Application Support Center when they go in person; others have it included as part of their case processing. The biometric fee is usually around $85, but again, this varies and is separate from your main application fee.

Ask your immigration attorney or the USCIS website for your specific category to find out which additional fees apply to you before you file. Knowing the total cost upfront prevents surprises and helps you budget for the entire process.

What happens if you pay the wrong amount or miss the deadline

USCIS will reject your application if the payment amount does not match the required fee for your form and category. There is no grace period — if you underpay by even $1, the agency will return your entire application and ask you to resubmit with the correct payment. This rejection can delay your case by weeks or months.

There is no payment deadline in the sense that you do not have to pay by a certain date to keep your spot in line. However, you must include payment when you first file. If you are waiting for an interview or decision on an already-filed case, you do not send additional payments unless USCIS specifically requests them (which is rare).

If your case is denied for any reason, USCIS does not refund your application fee or any other fees you paid. This is true even if you were denied because of an error on the government's side. The only exception is if you withdraw your application before USCIS has begun processing it, which almost never happens in practice.

Fee waivers and reductions if you cannot afford the full amount

USCIS allows applicants to request a fee waiver or reduction if paying the full amount would cause financial hardship. You file Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver or Reduction) along with your main application. You must show that your household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, or that paying the fee would prevent you from meeting basic living expenses.

Approval of a fee waiver is not may provide. USCIS reviews each request individually and may approve a full waiver, a partial reduction, or deny the request. If denied, you will be asked to pay the full fee within a certain timeframe or your application will be rejected. Submit your fee waiver request with your initial application rather than waiting — this gives USCIS time to review it before they reject your case for non-payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my green card application fee online if I am mailing my forms?

No. If you are mailing your application, you must include a check, money order, or cashier's check in the envelope. Online payment is only available through USCIS's online filing system for certain application types. Check the USCIS website for your specific form to see if online filing is an option.

Do I have to pay the application fee again if my case is denied and I reapply?

Yes. Each new application is treated as a separate case, and you must pay the full fee again. USCIS does not credit previous payments toward a new application, even if you are reapplying in the same category.

What if my check gets lost in the mail?

If your application arrives without payment, USCIS will reject it and send it back to you. You will need to resubmit with a new check or money order. To avoid this, consider using a cashier's check or money order instead of a personal check, and mail your application using a tracked service so you have proof of delivery.

Are there any other costs besides the application fee and medical exam?

Possibly. Some applicants pay for biometric services, translation services if documents are in another language, or attorney fees if they hire an immigration lawyer. These are separate from USCIS fees and vary widely depending on your situation and location.