The United States is one of the most popular places in the world to immigrate to.
Despite its popularity, obtaining a permanent resident or citizen of the United States is a time-consuming and expensive procedure for many people.
Continue reading to see how much it costs to immigrate to the United States.
How much do I need to move to the USA?
If we add up all of the particular fees for obtaining US citizenship, the total could range from $4,000 to $11,300. Most individuals, though, spend between $6,000 and $8,000.
This is a significant expenditure, and financial planning is an important part of the moving process.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services is in charge of processing immigrant applications in the States. So let’s find out about their requirements for applicants.
How much does the USCIS charge?
This is a division of the US Department of Homeland Security. There are several costs associated with applying to the USCIS.
The filing fee is determined by the kind of residency application. Non-immigrant petitions are often easier to obtain than immigrant petitions.
The expenses of moving to the United States vary, however, the following are some of the most significant. Now, without further ado, let’s get started.
1) USCIS Forms
When you apply with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), you must pay several costs. The application cost is determined by the kind of residence application.
Non-immigrant status applications are less expensive than immigrant petitions.
2) Petition Fees
The amount of the petition fee will vary based on the nature of your application. While there will be no price for asylum applicants, there are fixed filing fees for all other claims.
Fees typically range from $300 to $600, depending on the type of application submitted.
3) Legal fees
Hiring an attorney is not required for applicants, but having one can make the process smoother when it comes to the ever-changing immigration requirements.
An immigration lawyer’s normal cost runs from $3000 to $4000 for an H-1B visa, which allows U.S. firms to temporarily recruit foreign personnel in specialized fields.
In extreme cases, such as deportation, the expenses might easily exceed $10,000. Apart from that, a family-based petition would cost you between $800 and $1,500.
4) Medical Expenses
Before entering the United States, all candidates must undergo a medical examination and get specific vaccines.
You will be needed to get immunized against illnesses such as measles and polio. The typical cost of these immunizations, together with a medical examination, will be around $1,000.
5) Naturalization Process
The current naturalization fee for US Citizenship applicants is $725. It also includes $640 in application processing fees and $85 in biometric service fees.
These payments are non-refundable regardless of whether the application is granted or refused.
After becoming a permanent resident, you can consider yourself a naturalized citizen. As a resident, you have the right to vote and petition your family.
Applicants under the age of 14 and above the age of 70 are exempt from paying the biometric cost.
6) Other costs
There are also other charges, such as completing citizenship preparatory programs. Costs will vary depending on the supplier of such classes.
Additionally, if you have a criminal past, you will be required to provide additional papers and paperwork, as well as pay for legal assistance.
Postage, transportation, and other incidental charges from your native nation should also be considered.
When you have considered all of the fees associated with immigrating to the United States, it is up to you to make an informed choice. Spend your money sensibly since it is your hard-earned money.
Apart from the government and medical exam expenses, you should anticipate paying the following extra fees:
Vaccination Fees
If your medical exam involves immunizations, update your record before submitting your entire medical report.
Document Fee
Generally, government entities charge fees for issuing certain official papers.
Documents Translation Fee
If you include any documents that are not in English in your application package, you must include a translated copy of each of these documents as approved by the translator.
A single-page birth certificate translated document, for example, costs between $20 and $40.
Costs for Travel
The USCIS will not compensate you for travel expenses paid when traveling for various purposes such as a green card interview, medical exam, or biometrics.
How can I petition a family member in the U.S.?
If the relative you are supporting is already in the United States and has entered the nation legally, he or she can complete Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, without leaving the country.
This is known as the Adjustment of status.
Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is the form used by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to sponsor an eligible relative for permanent residence in the United States.
The submission of Form I-130 is the initial stage in the process of family-based immigration to the United States.
The fees for submitting an I-130 petition vary based on how many relatives you wish to sponsor and where they live (in the U.S. or abroad).
If the foreign-born relative is already in the United States and eligible to file for adjustment of status at the same time, additional costs may apply.
Form I-130 has a filing fee of $535. This petition’s filing fee cannot be waived.
How much does it cost to petition a family member in the U.S.?
The following are the fees for petitioning a relative in the United States:
| USCIS Form
| Fee |
| Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative | $535 |
| Form I-693, Immigration Medical Exam | $0 |
| Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa Application | $325 |
| Biometrics (Fingerprints and Photo) | $85 |
| Form I-485, Adjustment of Status | $1,140 |
| Medical Tests | $100-$200 |
The U.S. petitioner will also have to submit Form I-864, or Affidavit of Support, ensuring the USCIS that he/she will be able to financially support the relative(s) in the U.S.
While filing the I-485 form, the USCIS does not charge the same fee for relatives of all age groups.
The fee structure for filing fees as stated by USCIS for different age groups is illustrated below.
| Age | Form Fee (in dollars) | Biometrics Fee (in dollars) | Total (in dollars) |
| Under 14 with the I-485 application of at least one parent | 750 | 0 | 750 |
| Under 14 and not with the I-485 application of at least one parent | 1,140 | 1,140 | 2,280 |
| Age 14-78 | 1,140 | 85 | 1,225 |
| Age 79 and older | 1,140 | 0 | 1,140 |
How much does it cost to get a green card in the USA?
The cost of applying for a family-based green card is around $1760 for an applicant living in the United States of America or around $1400 for an applicant living outside the States.
This includes mandatory U.S. government fees, which are non-refundable, plus the typical cost of the required medical examination.
The total cost of applying for an employment-based green card varies depending on the category under which you’re applying.
You can expect to pay $1225 for your green card application, but your employer could face additional filing fees and labor certification costs, potentially driving the total cost to around $10,000.
In either case, the filing fees are non-refundable, so it is very important to get your application spot on the first time.
