How Much Is the Immigrant Visa Fee? (2026 Costs)

What the Immigrant Visa Fee Actually Covers

Most people searching for the immigrant visa fee assume one number will answer the question. Immigration law doesn't work that way. The cost you pay depends on which immigrant visa category you qualify under—immediate relative, family preference, employment-based—and whether you complete the process inside the U.S. through adjustment of status or outside through consular processing. Each path carries its own fee schedule, and the stages of your case trigger fees at different points.

As of 2026, USCIS and the Department of State charge fees separately. USCIS fees apply when a petitioner files the initial immigrant petition (Form I-130 for family, Form I-140 for employment). DOS fees apply when the National Visa Center processes your case and schedules your consular interview, or when you file for adjustment of status using Form I-485. The total you'll pay includes petition fees, processing fees, biometrics, medical exams, and in some cases affidavit of support review fees. Understanding the structure prevents surprise costs midway through your case.

The Fee Structure by Visa Category

Immigrant visa fees break down by category because each category follows a different statutory pathway under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Immediate Relative Categories (IR-1, IR-2, IR-5, CR-1): These visas serve spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens. The petitioner files Form I-130 with USCIS. If the beneficiary adjusts status in the U.S., they file Form I-485. If processing abroad, the National Visa Center assesses its fees after USCIS approves the I-130. Immediate relatives face no annual quota, so once the petition is approved and fees are paid, the case moves to interview scheduling.

Family Preference Categories (F-1, F-2A, F-2B, F-3, F-4): These cover other family relationships—unmarried adult children, spouses and children of green card holders, married children of U.S. citizens, and siblings of U.S. citizens. These categories have annual caps, so approved petitions wait in line based on priority date. The wait can span years. Fees are still due when the priority date becomes current and the case moves to the National Visa Center or adjustment filing.

Employment-Based Categories (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, EB-5): Employment immigrant visas require a U.S. employer to file Form I-140 (or the applicant to self-petition in EB-1A or EB-2 National Interest Waiver cases). EB-5 investor visas carry separate petition forms and substantially higher investment thresholds. Processing fees for employment cases include the I-140 filing fee, the adjustment of status fee if filed domestically, or DOS fees if processing through a consulate. Premium processing is available for some employment petitions at an additional cost.

USCIS Fees vs. Department of State Fees

USCIS and DOS charge separately because they handle different stages. USCIS adjudicates the immigrant petition—deciding whether the relationship or job offer qualifies you. DOS handles visa issuance after USCIS approval, either through the National Visa Center for consular processing or through the adjustment process if you're already in the U.S.

USCIS fees include the I-130 or I-140 filing fee and, if adjusting status, the I-485 fee. As of 2026, USCIS updates its fee schedule periodically through rulemaking published in the Federal Register. Before filing any form, verify the current fee at uscis.gov/forms and pay exactly what the current schedule lists—using an outdated fee causes rejection and delay.

DOS fees apply at the National Visa Center stage for consular processing. After USCIS approves the immigrant petition, the NVC invoices the petitioner and beneficiary for processing fees and the immigrant visa application fee. These amounts are set by the State Department and posted at travel.state.gov. The NVC will not schedule an interview until all required fees are paid and documents submitted.

What the National Visa Center Charges

The National Visa Center is the bridge between USCIS approval and your consular interview. Once USCIS approves your I-130 or I-140, the case transfers to NVC. NVC collects fees, reviews civil documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, police certificates), and processes the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) if required.

NVC fees as of 2026 include a processing fee and the immigrant visa application fee. The exact amounts vary slightly by visa type, but the structure is consistent: one fee to open the case at NVC, another fee when you submit the DS-260 immigrant visa application. Fees must be paid online through the Consular Electronic Application Center before NVC will forward your case to the consulate for interview scheduling. If multiple family members derive status from one petition, each applicant pays the visa application fee separately.

NVC does not control interview wait times—those depend on consular workload, the applicant's country of chargeability, and security clearances. Paying the fees does not guarantee a fast interview, but failing to pay them stops the case entirely.

Adjustment of Status Costs (Form I-485)

If you're already in the U.S. in lawful status when your immigrant visa becomes available, you may file Form I-485 to adjust status without leaving the country. Adjustment of status replaces consular processing, and it carries its own fee structure set by USCIS.

The I-485 fee as of 2026 includes the application fee and a biometrics fee for most applicants. Children under 14 filing with a parent pay a reduced rate. USCIS periodically adjusts these fees via published rules, so confirm the current amount on the USCIS fee schedule before filing. Some applicants filing I-485 concurrently with an I-130 or I-140 may be eligible for fee reductions or exemptions—this depends on the category and the applicant's circumstances.

Adjustment of status does not require National Visa Center fees. You pay USCIS directly. However, you still must submit civil documents, a medical exam (Form I-693), and an Affidavit of Support if required by your category. The medical exam is conducted by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon and is paid separately—it is not included in the I-485 filing fee.

Here's the Honest Answer: Fee Schedules Change, and the Timing Matters

Let's be direct: stating an exact dollar amount for "the immigrant visa fee" would be misleading, because the fees depend on your specific category, your processing path, and the date you file. USCIS and DOS adjust fees through rulemaking, sometimes annually. A fee accurate in early 2026 may not be accurate six months later.

What does not change is the fee structure—the stages at which you'll pay and which agency collects the payment. The I-130 or I-140 filing fee is always due when the petition is submitted to USCIS. If you adjust status, the I-485 fee is due when that application is filed. If you process through a consulate, NVC fees are due after USCIS approval but before the interview. Plan for a multi-stage payment process rather than a single upfront cost.

Before beginning any immigration case, check the current fee schedule on uscis.gov/forms and travel.state.gov. Using outdated fee information leads to rejected filings, which delay your case and sometimes forfeit the filing fee. The Law Offices of Peter D. Chu verifies current fees with every petition and adjustment filing to ensure clients avoid preventable errors.

Additional Costs Beyond Government Fees

Government fees are only part of the total cost. Other expenses include:

Medical Examination: Required for all immigrant visa applicants and adjustment of status filers. The exam must be conducted by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon (for adjustment) or a consular panel physician (for consular processing). Costs vary by location and physician but typically include the exam fee, required vaccinations, and any follow-up tests.

Document Translation and Certification: Civil documents not in English must be translated by a certified translator. This includes birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, police certificates, and military records. Translation fees vary by document length and language.

Affidavit of Support Review: If your category requires Form I-864 (most family-based and some employment cases), the sponsor must provide evidence of income or assets meeting 125% of the federal poverty guideline. Gathering tax transcripts, employment letters, and financial documents costs nothing if the sponsor has them organized, but obtaining official IRS transcripts or correcting tax filing errors can add time and cost.

Attorney Fees: Legal representation is not required, but immigration cases involve complex documentation, tight deadlines, and high stakes. The Law Offices of Peter D. Chu offers an initial consultation for $250 to assess your case, explain the timeline, and outline a fee agreement if you choose to proceed. Attorney fees vary based on case complexity—a straightforward I-130 petition differs from an EB-2 National Interest Waiver petition.

What If My Case Involves Multiple Beneficiaries?

When one petition covers derivative beneficiaries—a spouse filing for a spouse and children, or an employment case including dependents—each person requires separate processing. USCIS charges one I-130 or I-140 fee per petition, but the National Visa Center charges a visa application fee per applicant. If adjusting status, each family member files a separate I-485 with a separate fee (though children under 14 filing with a parent pay reduced rates).

Plan for the per-person fee structure when estimating total costs. A family of four adjusting status pays four sets of I-485 fees, four medical exams, and potentially four sets of translation costs if each family member has foreign-issued documents.

What If the Fee Rule Changes After I File?

USCIS and DOS fee rules apply based on the date your application is received, not the date you plan to file or the date a priority date becomes current. If a fee increase is published and you file before the effective date, you pay the old fee. If you file after the effective date, the new fee applies.

Fee rules are published in the Federal Register with an effective date stated in the rule. Immigration attorneys monitor these publications to advise clients on filing timing when a fee increase is pending. If your priority date is approaching current and a fee increase is scheduled, filing earlier may save hundreds of dollars—but only if all required documents are ready and filing early does not create other procedural issues.

What If I Pay the Wrong Fee?

If you submit an application with an incorrect fee—underpayment, overpayment, or using a check instead of a money order where required—USCIS or NVC will reject the application and return it unfiled. Rejection means your filing date is lost. For cases with priority dates or time-sensitive status issues, this can be catastrophic.

Before mailing any petition or application, verify the current fee on the official USCIS or DOS website, confirm the accepted payment method (personal check, cashier's check, money order), and double-check that the check is made payable to the correct agency. If filing online through USCIS, payment is processed electronically, reducing this risk but requiring a valid credit or debit card.

Comparing Adjustment of Status and Consular Processing Costs

The bottom line: adjustment of status keeps you in the U.S. and allows you to apply for work authorization while waiting, but it requires lawful status and presence at filing. Consular processing requires leaving the U.S. for the interview and cannot provide interim work authorization, but it may be faster in some cases and is the only option if you're outside the U.S. or lack lawful status to adjust.

Why Fee Transparency Matters in Immigration Cases

Immigration costs affect who can pursue a case and when they can file. A family that budgets for the I-130 fee but doesn't anticipate NVC fees, medical exams, translations, and attorney costs may stall midway through the process. That delay can mean months of separation or lost work authorization.

Transparency about costs allows families to plan. The Law Offices of Peter D. Chu provides a cost breakdown during the initial $250 consultation so clients understand the full financial commitment before starting a case. Government fees, required third-party costs (medical, translation), and attorney fees are itemized. Clients know what to expect and when each payment is due.

Immigration law does not allow contingency fees—attorneys cannot take cases on a "pay only if you win" basis. Fees are earned as work is performed. Understanding this before signing a retainer agreement prevents misunderstandings.

Where to Verify Current Fees

Official sources for current fees:

• USCIS forms and fees: uscis.gov/forms — each form page lists the current filing fee and accepted payment methods
• Department of State visa fees: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-5-collect-financial-evidence-and-other-supporting-documents/step-6-pay-fees.html — NVC fee schedule and payment instructions
• Fee rule changes: Federal Register (federalregister.gov) publishes proposed and final fee rules with effective dates

Third-party websites, including other law firm sites, may quote outdated fees. Always confirm directly with USCIS or DOS before filing.

Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information about immigrant visa fees and is not legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader and the Law Offices of Peter D. Chu. Immigration fee schedules change periodically through published rules; verify current amounts on official government websites before filing any application. Individual cases depend on specific facts, visa categories, and procedural history. Consult a licensed immigration attorney to assess your eligibility, calculate accurate costs, and avoid procedural errors that delay your case.

Schedule a consultation with the Law Offices of Peter D. Chu — 4615 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111 · 858-268-8823 · Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM–5:30 PM. Consultation fee: $250.