Immigration fee calculator

USCIS fees change periodically. These figures reflect recently published fee schedules but may not reflect the most current amounts. Always confirm the exact current fees at uscis.gov before submitting a payment. Sending the wrong amount causes rejection. See our full disclaimer.

Primary form to file

Number of applicants (if multiple)

Also filing I-765 (EAD) concurrently?

Also filing I-131 (advance parole) concurrently?

Add premium processing?

Applying for a fee waiver?

Your estimated filing fees

Get help with your immigration filing

An immigration attorney can confirm the exact current fees, prepare your packet to avoid rejections, and advise on whether premium processing or a fee waiver makes sense for your case.

How much does it cost to file with USCIS?

USCIS filing fees vary significantly by form type and applicant age, and they change periodically through formal rulemaking. Most fees must be paid by check or money order made out to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security," or by credit card using form G-1450. Sending the wrong amount, even by a few dollars, results in automatic rejection of the entire packet. When filing multiple forms together, like an I-485 with concurrent I-765 and I-131, each form carries its own separate fee requirement.

Attorney fees are separate from government filing fees and vary widely by case type, complexity, and firm. The USCIS fee alone for a typical family-based adjustment of status packet can exceed $1,500 per applicant before attorney fees, so budgeting both together is important early in the planning process.

Biometrics fees

Many USCIS applications require a biometrics appointment at a local Application Support Center, where fingerprints and photos are collected. The biometrics fee is charged per applicant and applies regardless of how many forms you're filing at once. Some form types have the biometrics fee built into the base filing fee under newer fee schedules, while others charge it separately, so checking the current fee schedule carefully for your specific form matters.

Premium processing costs and when they're worth it

Premium processing is available for eligible petition types, primarily employment-based nonimmigrant forms like H-1B, L-1, O-1, and I-140 immigrant petitions. The fee currently runs from around $1,500 to $2,500 depending on form type, and it guarantees action, not approval, within 15 business days. It's worth considering when a job start date, visa expiration, or other hard deadline makes the standard processing timeline unworkable. For cases currently in the processing time range or approaching outside-normal-time territory, premium processing can also reduce uncertainty even without a hard deadline.

Fee waivers

USCIS offers fee waivers through form I-912 for applicants who can demonstrate financial hardship, receipt of means-tested public benefits, or income at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. Not all form types are eligible for a fee waiver, and approval isn't guaranteed. Filing an I-912 at the same time as the main application means the petition sits unpaid until the waiver is decided, which adds processing time. Applicants who are close to the income threshold are sometimes better served by paying the fee to avoid delay, a tradeoff an attorney can help evaluate.

Frequently asked questions about USCIS fees

USCIS rejects petitions submitted with an incorrect fee and returns the entire packet without processing it. The rejection notice explains the reason, but the filing date is lost, which can matter for visa availability or other deadlines. Confirming the exact current fee directly on uscis.gov immediately before filing, rather than relying on older guidance or estimates, is the safest practice.

Yes, for most form types. Form G-1450 authorizes a credit card payment and can be submitted with a paper filing. USCIS also accepts checks and money orders made payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Some form types filed through USCIS's online filing system allow direct online payment. Cash is never accepted.

No. USCIS filing fees are generally non-refundable regardless of outcome, including if the petition is denied, withdrawn, or rejected after processing begins. Premium processing fees are also non-refundable in most circumstances, though USCIS has occasionally offered refunds when it failed to meet the guaranteed processing timeframe.

For some form types, children under a certain age, typically 14 when filing with a parent, pay a reduced fee. For example, I-485 has a lower fee for minors filing concurrently with a parent's application. The N-400 naturalization application has no age-based reduced fee, though certain age groups may qualify for a fee waiver based on income.

USCIS adjusts its fee schedule through a formal rulemaking process, which happens periodically, typically every several years, though individual form fees can also change outside major overhauls. The most recent significant fee increase took effect in 2024. Always check uscis.gov for the current fee schedule before filing, since immigration attorneys and online resources may not yet reflect the latest changes.