How Much Does Consular Processing Cost?
If you wish to apply for a green card and you are not currently located in the United States, you will likely have to go through consular processing in order to obtain it. This requires you to work with an overseas U.S. consulate to receive your immigrant visa before you receive your green card. It is natural to have many questions when going through the process. One of the biggest questions you may have is how much it is going to cost. Below, our Atlanta immigration lawyer explains in greater detail.
Application Fees for Consular Processing
The cost of consular processing will depend on the category of green card you are applying for. Many green card applications begin with a visa petition and they are prepared by employers or family members and filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The individuals who file the applications are petitioners and they may pay the application fee for you or you may be responsible for it. The fees associated with different applications are currently as follows:
- Form I-130: $675 for submitting a physical application and $625 for filing online
- Form I-360: $515, although there are exemptions under the Violence Against Women Act and for certain other applicants
- Form I-129F: $675
- Form I-140: $715
If you are applying for a green card through employment, your employer will have already paid different fees even before submitting Form I-140. They must do this to obtain PERM labor certification. Your employer cannot legally ask you to reimburse them for those costs. They also cannot ask you to pay their attorney fees.
The Immigrant Visa Application Fee
If your initial application is approved by USCIS, your file will be transferred to the National Visa Center (NVC). If you are applying for an immigrant visa, there are other fees associated with that, as well. These fees are currently as follows:
- For family-based visas: $325
- For employment-based visas: $345
- For diversity visa applicants: $330
- For fiance visas: $265
- For other categories: $205
You may be required to submit an Affidavit of Support with your application and this will be processed in the United States. The fee for this is $120 but if an entire family is immigrating together, the one fee covers all family members.
The Fee for the Physical Green Card
If you are approved for an immigrant visa, the last fee you will have to pay is the ‘immigrant fee’ charged by USCIS. This is to cover the cost of actually printing your green card. In 2026, this fee is $235.
Our Immigration Lawyer in Atlanta Can Advise You of Your Options
There are a number of fees associated with consular processing, but there are also exceptions and waivers that may be available to you. To schedule a consultation to discuss your needs and case with our Atlanta immigration lawyer, please call Shirazi Immigration Law, Inc. today at 404-523-3611 to learn more about your options. We are proud to serve clients in Dalton, Moultrie, and Atlanta, GA, as well as Chattanooga, TN.
Source:
uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/consular-processing
