adjustment of status (inside US) consular processing (abroad)
📌 Consular processing: I-130 fee same, then DS-260 ($345) + immigrant fee ($235) + medical abroad (~$200–$300). No I-485.
no filing fee Form I-589 (affirmative asylum) has $0 filing fee [citation:7]. However legal representation is common.
minimum investment $800,000 (TEA) or $1,050,000 (non-TEA) [citation:6]
Varies by clinic/vaccines needed. [citation:9] shows Beijing/Shanghai consular medical ~$250–$350.
Other hidden costs: courier fees ($50–$200), money order/bank checks, passport photos ($15–$30), travel to interview, fingerprinting (if applicable).
| Form / category | New fee |
|---|---|
| I-129 (H-2B, R-1) | $1,780 |
| I-129 (H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, etc) | $2,965 |
| I-140 (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3) | $2,965 |
| I-539 (F/J change of status) | $2,075 |
| I-765 (OPT/STEM OPT) | $1,780 |
| State | Typical total range (incl. USCIS + lawyer + medical) |
|---|---|
| California (LA/SF) | $7,500 – $11,000 |
| New York (NYC) | $7,500 – $11,500 |
| Texas (Houston/Dallas) | $6,000 – $9,500 |
| Florida (Miami) | $6,500 – $10,000 |
| Illinois (Chicago) | $6,500 – $10,000 |
| Georgia (Atlanta) | $6,000 – $9,000 |
| Pennsylvania (Philly) | $6,000 – $9,000 |
| Washington (Seattle) | $7,000 – $10,500 |
| Massachusetts (Boston) | $7,000 – $10,500 |
| West Virginia / low COL | $5,500 – $8,000 |
Lawyer fees vary by market; medical exam fees also differ.
Yes, USCIS filing fees are federal and uniform nationwide. However, biometrics fees may be included, and some forms have additional HR-1 fees [citation:2][citation:7].
Family-based immediate relative petitions have the lowest government fees. Asylum has $0 filing fee but legal costs vary. Citizenship (N-400) is relatively low [citation:5].
Not legally required, but many use lawyers to avoid mistakes. Total DIY cost (USCIS fees only) ≈ $2,500–$3,000; with lawyer add $3,500–$6,000 [citation:5].
Certain forms (I-912) allow low-income applicants to request a waiver, but not all forms qualify. HR-1 additional fees cannot be waived [citation:2].
A mandatory $1,000 fee for Regional Center investors, paid with I-526E [citation:6].
Must be done by a USCIS civil surgeon (if adjusting in US) or a panel physician (consular processing). Fees vary by location [citation:9].
Fees compiled from USCIS G-1055 (02/01/26 edition) [citation:2], USCIS inflation alerts (Jan 2026) [citation:7], premium processing final rule (March 2026) [citation:8], and immigration law firm surveys [citation:5][citation:6]. EB-5 data from Davies & Associates [citation:6]. Medical fee examples from panel physician lists [citation:9]. All figures are estimates; actual costs depend on case complexity, location, and individual circumstances. Always verify current fees on official USCIS website.
📌 Payment methods: USCIS now requires credit/debit/ACH for most filings; checks no longer accepted for paper filings unless exempt [citation:2].