If you're starting your family member's green card, the first question is usually the simplest: how much does it cost? Here's the honest answer, with no surprises.
The I-130 filing fee in 2026
The fee you pay USCIS to file Form I-130 depends on how you submit it:
Filing online saves you $50. USCIS charges less for online filing because digital applications are easier for them to process. Online filing also tends to be faster to confirm and walks you through each step, which helps you avoid common mistakes.
Good news if you've been worried about rising costs: this fee has been steady since April 1, 2024. There has been no recent increase, despite a lot of confusion online.
When you can't file online
There's one important catch. If you plan to file Form I-130 at the same time as Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) — which is common when your spouse is already living in the US — you currently cannot file both online together.
You have two choices:
- File the I-130 online first ($625), wait for your receipt notice (Form I-797), then mail your I-485 package with that receipt
- Or file both together by paper, in which case the I-130 portion is $675
The I-130 fee is just the first step
It's important to know that the I-130 fee is only the beginning. Depending on whether your family member is inside or outside the US, the total government fees from petition to green card generally range from about $1,305 to $3,005. That doesn't include a medical exam, document translations, or optional attorney help.
We say this not to scare you, but so you can plan. Knowing the full picture up front means no painful surprises later.
How to make sure you don't waste the fee
Here's the part most people don't realize: USCIS keeps your filing fee whether your petition is approved, denied, or rejected. If you make a mistake that gets your petition rejected, you don't get the $625 back — you pay it again when you refile.
That's exactly why getting the form right the first time matters so much. The most common rejection reasons are small things: the wrong form edition, a missing signature, or a misunderstood checkbox.
Want to get it right the first time?
ClearPath walks you through every question on Form I-130 in 7 languages, and checks for the errors that cause rejections — so you never pay that fee twice.
Start your application →Frequently asked questions
ClearPath is a document preparation service, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. Fees are based on the USCIS G-1055 fee schedule at the time of publication and may change. Always verify current fees at uscis.gov/g-1055 before filing.