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1. Family-Based Immigration
Immediate Relatives
- Eligibility: Spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens.
- Visas: IR-1 (spouse), IR-2 (child), IR-5 (parent).
- Cost:
- Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative): $535
- Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status): $1,140 (plus $85 biometrics fee for applicants aged 14-78)
- Additional costs: Medical examination, travel, and attorney fees if applicable.
Family Preference Categories
- Eligibility: Includes more distant relatives like adult children and siblings of U.S. citizens, and spouses and unmarried children of permanent residents.
- Visas: F1 (unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens), F2A (spouses and children of permanent residents), F2B (unmarried adult children of permanent residents), F3 (married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens), F4 (siblings of U.S. citizens).
- Cost:
- Form I-130: $535
- Form I-485: $1,140 (plus $85 biometrics fee for applicants aged 14-78)
- Additional costs: Similar to immediate relatives.
2. Employment-Based Immigration
EB-1: Priority Workers
- Eligibility: Individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, multinational executives and managers.
- Cost:
- Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker): $700
- Premium processing (optional): $2,500
- Form I-485: $1,140 (plus $85 biometrics fee)
- Additional costs: Attorney fees, medical examination, travel.
EB-2: Professionals with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability
- Eligibility: Advanced degree professionals, individuals with exceptional ability.
- Cost:
- Form I-140: $700
- Premium processing (optional): $2,500
- Form I-485: $1,140 (plus $85 biometrics fee)
- Additional costs: Similar to EB-1.
EB-3: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers
- Eligibility: Professionals with a bachelor’s degree, skilled workers, unskilled workers.
- Cost:
- Form I-140: $700
- Premium processing (optional): $2,500
- Form I-485: $1,140 (plus $85 biometrics fee)
- Additional costs: Similar to EB-1 and EB-2.
EB-4: Special Immigrants
- Eligibility: Certain special immigrants including religious workers, employees of U.S. foreign service posts, and others.
- Cost:
- Form I-360 (Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant): $435
- Form I-485: $1,140 (plus $85 biometrics fee)
- Additional costs: Similar to other employment-based categories.
EB-5: Immigrant Investors
- Eligibility: Investors who invest $1.8 million (or $900,000 in targeted employment areas) in a new commercial enterprise that creates at least 10 jobs.
- Cost:
- Form I-526 (Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor): $3,675
- Form I-485: $1,140 (plus $85 biometrics fee)
- Additional costs: Significant investment capital, legal fees, travel.
3. Diversity Visa Lottery
- Eligibility: Nationals from countries with low immigration rates to the U.S.
- Cost:
- No fee to enter the lottery.
- If selected: Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application): $325
- Medical examination, travel, and other processing fees.
4. Asylum and Refugee Status
Asylum
- Eligibility: Individuals in the U.S. or at a port of entry who fear persecution in their home country.
- Cost:
- Form I-589 (Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal): No fee.
- Additional costs: Legal fees, if applicable.
Refugee Status
- Eligibility: Individuals outside the U.S. who fear persecution.
- Cost:
- No application fee.
- Additional costs: Covered by resettlement agencies; refugees may be required to repay travel costs.
5. Non-Immigrant Visas (leading to Permanent Residency)
H-1B: Specialty Occupations
- Eligibility: Workers in specialty occupations with a job offer from a U.S. employer.
- Cost:
- Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker): $460
- Premium processing (optional): $2,500
- Form I-485 (if transitioning to permanent residency): $1,140 (plus $85 biometrics fee)
- Additional costs: Legal fees, employer fees, travel.
L-1: Intracompany Transferees
- Eligibility: Employees of international companies being transferred to the U.S.
- Cost:
- Form I-129: $460
- Premium processing (optional): $2,500
- Form I-485: $1,140 (plus $85 biometrics fee)
- Additional costs: Similar to H-1B.
6. Student and Exchange Visitors
F-1: Student Visa
- Eligibility: Students enrolled in academic programs.
- Cost:
- Form DS-160 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application): $160
- SEVIS I-901 fee: $350
- Additional costs: School fees, living expenses, travel.
J-1: Exchange Visitor Visa
- Eligibility: Participants in exchange programs approved by the Department of State.
- Cost:
- Form DS-160: $160
- SEVIS I-901 fee: $220
- Additional costs: Program fees, living expenses, travel.
7. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
TPS
- Eligibility: Nationals from designated countries experiencing conditions that temporarily prevent safe return.
- Cost:
- Initial registration or re-registration: $50 application fee
- Biometrics: $85
- EAD (Employment Authorization Document): $410
DACA
- Eligibility: Individuals who came to the U.S. as children and meet specific guidelines.
- Cost:
- Form I-821D (Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals): $495
Additional Notes
- Medical Examination Fees: Vary by provider and country, typically ranging from $200 to $500.
- Legal Fees: Vary significantly depending on the complexity of the case and the attorney’s rates.
The costs outlined are for government fees and do not include potential legal fees or other incidental expenses such as translations, certifications, travel, and living expenses. It’s advisable to consult with an immigration attorney or accredited representative for personalized advice and to navigate the complexities of immigration law.
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