The Real Cost of a Green Card in 2026

Most people budgeting for a green card focus on the USCIS filing fee and discover the rest of the costs one invoice at a time. This page lists every category of expense you can expect in a routine family-based Adjustment of Status (AOS) case in 2026, with current prices. Numbers are typical — your actual case may be higher or lower based on dependents, complexity, and where you live.

USCIS filing fees

USCIS raised its fee schedule on April 1, 2024. For a typical AOS bundle (I-130 + I-485 + I-765 work permit + I-131 advance parole, paper-filed by an applicant aged 14–78), the fees in 2026 break down as follows:

If you file separately (e.g. I-130 first, I-485 later) or qualify for the Asylee/Refugee category, the math shifts. The $2,115 figure assumes a standard concurrent filing for a family member.

Civil Surgeon medical exam (I-693)

The fair-market price for the I-693 exam is $250–$325, with the network standard at a flat $295. This typically includes the office visit, history and physical, vaccine record review, IGRA blood draw, sealed envelope, and your personal copy. Vaccines administered during the visit are billed separately.

Vaccines billed at cost

USCIS requires applicants to be up to date on a defined list of vaccines (see our vaccination requirements guide). If you arrive with a complete record, this section is $0. If you need shots, expect approximately:

A typical adult applicant catching up on missing shots spends $150–$400 total. Most established immigrants from countries with strong childhood immunization programs (Canada, UK, Australia, EU, much of East Asia) need only Tdap and seasonal flu — well under $150.

Attorney fees

This is the most variable line. Family-based AOS is the simplest case type and most reputable immigration attorneys quote flat fees in the $3,000–$5,000 range, all-inclusive. Employment-based and consular processing cases run $5,000–$10,000. Hourly rates ($300–$600/hour) exist but are rare for routine cases. You can technically self-file a clean family case, but a single missed checkbox or missing tax transcript can cost you 6–12 months in RFE delay. For complex cases (criminal history, prior immigration violations, public-charge concerns), retain an attorney.

Translations and supporting documents

USCIS requires certified English translations of every foreign-language document (birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decrees, police certificates from countries lived in 6+ months as an adult). Certified translators charge $20–$50 per page; budget $50–$200 total for a typical case. Police certificates themselves vary by country (free in some, $50+ in others). Birth and marriage certificate replacements run $10–$40 each.

Typical all-in total

Most people land between $6,000 and $8,000 for a single-applicant family-based AOS. Add roughly $2,500–$3,500 per dependent (each needs their own filing fees and Civil Surgeon exam).

Free and low-cost alternatives

• Fee Waiver (Form I-912): If your household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, you may qualify to have USCIS filing fees waived entirely.
• VAWA, T-visa, U-visa applicants: Most filing fees are waived by statute.
• Nonprofit legal clinics: Organizations like Catholic Charities, CLINIC affiliates, AsylumWorks, and local bar association pro-bono programs can handle straightforward AOS cases free or at sliding-scale rates.
• BIA-accredited representatives: At nonprofit immigration legal-service organizations, these representatives can do most of what an attorney does at a fraction of the cost.

Once you have your numbers, the next step is choosing providers who won’t pad the bill. See our vaccinations service page for what’s included at network clinics and our attorney directory for vetted immigration counsel near you.