Cost to Immigrate to United States
The United States has one of the world's most complex immigration systems, managed by USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services). Employment-based immigration (EB-1 through EB-5) can involve multi-year waits due to per-country backlogs. The H-1B specialty worker visa is the most common non-immigrant work visa but is subject to an annual lottery. Government filing fees are substantial, and attorney costs can be significant. However, US permanent residence (Green Card) and eventual citizenship are among the most valued globally.
Typical Cost Range
Average visa application fees across all pathways
This is for visa application fees only. Total costs including medical exams, documents, and other fees will be higher.
Compare visa fees across all available immigration pathways to United States. Select a pathway for the full cost breakdown including medical, legal, and proof of funds requirements.
Employment-Based Green Card (EB-2/EB-3)Popular
Permanent residence through employer sponsorship for professionals and skilled workers.
H-1B Work VisaPopular
Temporary work visa for specialty occupations requiring bachelor degree or higher.
Family-Based ImmigrationPopular
Green card through immediate relative or family preference categories.
F-1 Student VisaPopular
Study at accredited US college or university.
EB-5 Investor Visa
Green card through investment of $800K-$1.05M in US business.
Important Information
USCIS fees increased significantly in 2024; always verify current fees on the USCIS website before budgeting. The H-1B lottery is unpredictable — have backup plans (O-1, L-1, TN for Canadians/Mexicans). Per-country backlogs for India and China nationals in EB-2/EB-3 categories can be extremely long. Immigration status gaps can have serious consequences; maintain continuous valid status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Next Steps
Identify your best visa pathway (H-1B lottery, O-1, L-1, EB-1, NIW) based on qualifications and timeline, engage a qualified US immigration attorney before any filing, verify all current USCIS fee schedules at uscis.gov, keep copies of all filed documents and receipt notices, track your priority date monthly using the USCIS Visa Bulletin if employment-based, and plan for the naturalization 5-year clock from your Green Card date.
Check United States Entry Visa Requirements →
New to United States? Check if you need a tourist or short-stay visa before applying for immigration. VisaInfoGuide.com
Find Airport Hotels for Your Journey →
Relocating to United States means long international flights. Find airside transit hotels for layovers. RestInAirport.com
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