Applicants seeking to immigrate to the United States must pay several government processing fees at different stages of the immigration process. These fees may include petition filing fees, immigrant visa application processing fees, affidavit of support review fees, and other administrative charges, depending on the visa category.
In most cases, once an immigrant petition is filed and approved in the United States, it is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC collects the required fees and supporting documentation before scheduling the immigrant visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
Applicants selected under the U.S. Department of State’s Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, or those whose petitions are filed overseas, may need to pay certain fees directly at the embassy or consulate during the interview process.
All immigrant visa fees are generally non-refundable, regardless of whether the visa is issued or denied.
1. Petition Filing Fees
Immigrant petitions are typically filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by the petitioner. The petitioner is responsible for paying the filing fee at the time of submission.
| Petition Type | Amount |
| Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative | $625 (online) / $675 (paper filing) |
| Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker | $715 |
| Forms I-600/I-800 (Orphan Petition) | Fees vary, depending on case type |
These fees cover the cost of reviewing the petition and determining eligibility for immigration benefits.
2. National Visa Center (NVC) Processing Fees
After the petition is approved, the case is transferred to the NVC for pre-processing before the consular interview.
Applicants typically pay the following fees through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC):
| Fee Type | Amount |
| Affidavit of Support review | $120 |
| Immigrant visa application processing | $325 |
After paying the fees, applicants may submit the immigrant visa application (DS-260) and supporting documentation.
3. Immigrant Visa Application Fees
The immigrant visa application fee depends on the visa category.
| Immigrant Visa Category | Amount |
| Family-based (I-130 cases) | $325 |
| Employment-based (I-140 cases) | $345 |
| Diversity visa processing | $330 |
| Other special categories | Varies |
Each applicant, including dependents such as spouses and children, must pay the applicable visa processing fees.
4. USCIS Immigrant Fee (After Visa Approval)
After the immigrant visa is issued, applicants must pay the USCIS immigrant fee before traveling to the United States.
| Fee Type | Amount |
| USCIS immigrant fee (Green Card production) | $235 |
This fee covers the cost of producing and mailing the permanent resident card (Green Card) after the immigrant enters the United States.
5. Additional Fees That May Apply
Depending on the specific immigration case, additional fees may apply.
| Application Type | Amount |
| Determining returning resident status (Form DS-117) | $275 |
| Transportation letter for lost Green Card | $165 |
| Waiver of visa ineligibility (Form I-601 or I-212) | $930+ (depending on form) |
| Biometric (fingerprint) Fee | $85 |
Certain humanitarian cases, such as refugees or specific public-benefit parole programs, may be exempt from some fees.
6. Diversity Visa (DV Lottery) Fees
Applicants selected through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program must pay the required visa processing fee during the visa interview.
| DV Fee Type | Amount |
| DV Visa Processing Fee | $330 |
Additional costs, such as medical examinations, background checks, and travel expenses, may also apply.
7. Payment Methods
Most immigrant visa fees today are paid through secure online systems.
Common payment methods include:
- Online payment through the NVC Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC)
- U.S. bank account electronic transfer (ACH)
- Credit or debit card payments for certain USCIS filings
- Money orders or cashier’s checks for mailed petitions
In modern processing systems, demand drafts and cash payments are rarely required, except in limited consular situations.
Key Points to Remember
- Visa application fees are charged separately for each applicant, including spouses and children accompanying the principal applicant.
- All fees paid to the U.S. government are non-refundable, regardless of whether the visa is approved, refused, or the application is withdrawn.
- Paying the required fees does not guarantee visa approval, as each application is subject to eligibility review and the discretion of a consular officer.
- Applicants may incur additional expenses during the immigration process, such as medical examinations, vaccination costs, police clearance certificates, document translations, and travel expenses.
- Fee amounts and payment procedures may change, so applicants should verify the latest information from official government sources before making payments.
Conclusion
Applying for a U.S. immigrant visa involves several mandatory government fees paid at different stages of the immigration process. These include petition filing fees, visa processing fees collected by the National Visa Center, and the USCIS immigrant fee for Green Card production after visa issuance. Understanding the applicable fees and payment procedures helps applicants plan and avoid delays.
Because immigration regulations and government fees may change periodically, applicants should check the latest information from official government sources before proceeding with their application.
