The process for getting a green card (lawful permanent resident) is complex, and can cost quite a bit of money. These costs are associated with governmental fees, attorney fees, medical exam fees and more.Source: Find out more
The exact cost will depend on the type of green card, whether it is family-based or employment-based and on whether you are applying inside the United States, through a process known as Adjustment of Status, or outside the US, through a process called Consular Processing. Generally, you can expect to pay around $5,000 – $7,500 total for the entire process including all of the associated governmental fees and legal costs.
Economic Implications: Assessing the Cost of Green Card Processing
Some of the main government fees include the green card application fee, biometric services fee and fee for the supporting document. These are all paid directly to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USCIS). You can pay these fees with a personal or cashier’s check, a money order, bank draft or by ACH. It is recommended that each fee be paid separately rather than adding them together into one large payment.
There are also many fees charged by third parties to obtain materials or perform tasks necessary for your case. For example, it will likely cost you at least $20 for a set of passport-style photos of both the immigrant and the petitioner. Depending on the language of your birth certificate and other documents, you may also need to pay for translation fees. Finally, you will likely have travel expenses for interviews, medical exams and biometrics appointments, especially if you are outside of the US.
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