Applying for U.S. immigration benefits like a marriage-based green card, K-1 fiancé visa, or U.S. citizenship involves understanding a variety of government forms, filing fees, and potential fee waiver options. This guide breaks down the most up-to-date costs, required forms, and strategies to save money.
Processing Times:
| Visa Type | Estimated Processing Time |
|---|---|
| K-1 Fiancé Visa | 8 to 11 months |
| Spousal Visa (CR-1) | 14.6 to 25 months (depends on sponsor status) |
Choosing between these options depends on your timeline, location, and marital status.
Check Also: Trump H-1B Prevailing Wage Reforms Explained
Important Fee Updates:
USCIS Fee Increases:
- USCIS raised filing fees for nearly all immigration applications.
- Future changes may be proposed in the Federal Register. Filing early can help you avoid fee increases.
Possible Legislative Changes:
- A proposed bill called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) may introduce a $250 “visa integrity fee” for most nonimmigrant visa applicants.
Marriage Green Card:
Purpose: For spouses of U.S. citizens or green card holders applying for lawful permanent residence.
| Requirement | Details |
| Forms Required | Form I-130, I-485, I-765, I-131 |
| Who Must File | Spouse seeking green card |
| Total USCIS Fee | Up to $3,005 (includes work and travel permits) |
K-1 Fiancé Visa (Form I-129F):
Purpose: Allows a U.S. citizen to bring their fiancé(e) to the U.S. for marriage within 90 days.
| Requirement | Details |
| Form Required | Form I-129F |
| Who Must File | U.S. citizen fiancé(e) |
| Total Fee | $675 |
Spousal Visa (CR-1):
Purpose: Used when a U.S. citizen or green card holder is sponsoring a spouse abroad.
| Requirement | Details |
| Forms Required | Form I-130, DS-260 |
| Who Must File | U.S. citizen or green card holder |
| Total Fee | $1,540 (excluding medical exam or translations) |
U.S. Citizenship (Naturalization – Form N-400):
Purpose: For lawful permanent residents applying for U.S. citizenship.
| Requirement | Details |
| Form Required | Form N-400 |
| Filing Fee | $760 |
Complete USCIS Fee Table:
| Form | Purpose | Fee |
| I-130 | Family sponsorship petition | $675 |
| I-485 | Green card application (adjustment of status) | $1,440 |
| I-765 | Work permit | $520 |
| I-131 | Advance parole travel document | $630 |
| I-751 | Remove conditions on residence | $750 |
| N-400 | Naturalization | $760 |
| I-129F | Fiancé(e) visa petition | $675 |
| DS-260 | Immigrant visa application | $325 |
| DS-261 | Choice of agent/address (online) | $0 |
| I-693 | Medical exam form (by civil surgeon) | $0 |
Fee Waivers and Discounts:
You may qualify to reduce or waive fees under the following conditions:
- Form I-912: For households below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
- Form I-942: If income is between 150% and 200% of the poverty line.
- Automatic Exemptions: Available for certain humanitarian programs.
Pro Tips:
- Submit Form I-765 and Form I-131 with your I-485 to avoid separate fees.
- Apply online when available for discounts.
- Always check the latest eligibility on uscis.gov/feewaiver.
USCIS Forms List:
Looking for the latest USCIS forms? The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides dozens of official forms for immigration benefits including green cards, citizenship, family petitions, and work permits.
Popular USCIS Forms Include:
- Form I-130: Petition for Alien Relative
- Form I-485: Adjustment of Status (Green Card)
- Form N-400: Application for Naturalization
- Form I-765: Application for Work Authorization
- Form I-131: Application for Travel Document
- Form I-140: Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
- Form I-129: Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker
- Form I-864: Affidavit of Support
You can find the full list of USCIS forms on the official USCIS website. Always download the latest version to avoid rejections.
I-130 Petition Form Fee:
The Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is used by U.S. citizens and green card holders to sponsor eligible family members for a green card.
Current I-130 Filing Fee:
- Online filing: $625
- Paper filing: $675
The fee is non-refundable and does not include additional costs such as translation, mailing, or follow-up applications (like I-485 or DS-260).
Payment Options:
- Credit/debit card (for online filings)
- Check or money order (for paper filings)
You must submit the correct fee with your form, or USCIS will reject your application.
I-485 Adjustment of Status Fee:
Form I-485 is used by individuals in the U.S. applying for lawful permanent resident status (green card). The total cost depends on your age and category.
Standard Filing Fees for I-485:
- Applicants aged 14–78: $1,440
- Applicants under 14 (with parent): $950
- Applicants over 79: $1,440
- Biometrics fee (if applicable): $85
These fees cover processing but do not include the cost of associated forms like I-765 (work permit) or I-131 (advance parole), which may be filed concurrently.
N-400 Naturalization Form Cost:
To apply for U.S. citizenship, you’ll need to file Form N-400 with USCIS.
N-400 Filing Fee:
- Total Cost: $760
- Filing fee: $710
- Biometrics: $50
You can pay online if filing through your USCIS account, or include a check/money order with a paper application.
Fee Waivers or Reductions:
USCIS offers limited fee waivers based on income or benefits eligibility. Submit Form I-912 if you qualify.
USCIS Form Types:
USCIS forms fall into several key categories, each designed for a specific immigration purpose:
Main USCIS Form Types:
- Family-Based Immigration: I-130, I-864
- Employment-Based Immigration: I-140, I-129
- Adjustment of Status: I-485
- Citizenship & Naturalization: N-400, N-600
- Work & Travel: I-765 (EAD), I-131 (Advance Parole)
- Humanitarian: I-589 (Asylum), I-730 (Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition)
- Waivers & Appeals: I-601, I-290B
Each form serves a specific legal purpose, and filing the wrong one can delay or harm your case.
USCIS Form Filing Fees:
Understanding USCIS filing fees is essential for budgeting your immigration journey. Fees vary by form and are regularly updated.
Examples of Common USCIS Filing Fees:
- I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative): $625 (online), $675 (paper)
- I-485 (Green Card): $1,440 + $85 biometrics (if applicable)
- N-400 (Naturalization): $760
- I-765 (Work Permit): $470
- I-131 (Travel Document): $630
All fees are non-refundable. Check the USCIS Fee Schedule before submission to ensure you’re paying the correct amount.
USCIS Immigration Application Forms:
If you’re applying for U.S. immigration benefits, you’ll need to submit the correct USCIS immigration forms based on your eligibility and immigration pathway.
Common Immigration Forms Include:
- Green Card Application: I-130, I-485, I-864
- Citizenship Application: N-400
- Work Authorization: I-765
- Travel Permission: I-131
- Asylum Application: I-589
- Employment Visa Petition: I-140, I-129
How to Avoid Scams for USCIS Immigration Forms and Fees 2025?
To avoid higher fees:
- File before new rules take effect (they’re not retroactive).
- Watch the Federal Register for proposed updates.
- File as soon as you’re eligible, especially if an increase is pending.
Frequently Asked Questions:
-
Can I pay USCIS fees with a credit card?
Yes. Use Form G-1450 (Credit Card Authorization) when submitting forms to a USCIS lockbox. Online applications allow card payments directly on the portal.
-
Do USCIS forms ever expire?
Yes. Forms are periodically updated, and you must always submit the latest version from the USCIS website. Submitting an outdated form may result in rejection.
-
Are USCIS fees refundable if my application is denied?
No. USCIS filing fees are generally non-refundable, even if your petition or application is denied or withdrawn. Exceptions are extremely rare.
