Visa sponsorship costs in the United States range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands, depending on the visa category, the sponsor’s obligations, and whether a case needs premium processing or legal help. “Sponsoring a visa” can mean an employer petitioning for a worker or a family member supporting an immigrant relative. The costs are different in each situation, and government filing fees are only part of the total. This guide explains common expenses, who generally pays them, and where to check current fees before filing.
Employment-based permanent residence commonly involves labor certification, an immigrant petition, and either adjustment of status in the United States or consular processing abroad. Not all categories require the same steps. For example, many EB-2 and EB-3 cases require a PERM labor certification, while some categories do not.
PERM labor certification and recruitment
The Department of Labor does not charge a filing fee for a PERM application. However, the employer must typically pay for required recruitment and related preparation. Advertising, job postings, and professional assistance can cost hundreds to several thousand dollars; complex recruitment campaigns may cost more. The employer generally must bear PERM-related costs and cannot pass prohibited expenses to the worker.
Immigrant petition and green-card processing
For many employment-based cases, the employer files Form I-140. The standard USCIS filing fee is $715, and an applicable Asylum Program Fee may add $600, $300 for qualifying small employers, or $0 for nonprofits. Eligible petitioners may request premium processing for an additional fee; the amount depends on the form and classification and should be checked on USCIS’s current fee page.
If the worker applies for adjustment of status in the United States, Form I-485 costs $1,440 for most applicants age 14 through 78 under the current fee schedule, with different fees for some age groups and situations. Separate work-permit or travel-document applications may involve additional fees, and fee rules can change. An applicant processing abroad instead pays applicable Department of State fees, medical exam costs, and related expenses.
Attorney fees are separate from government fees. A straightforward employer-sponsored green-card case may involve several thousand dollars in legal costs, while complex cases can cost more. Because employers generally bear required PERM expenses, the employer’s share can be substantial even when the worker pays certain personal application costs.
How Much Does It Cost to Sponsor a Family Member?
Family sponsorship usually starts with Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. Under the current USCIS fee schedule, the filing fee is $625 when filed online or $675 when filed by paper, subject to category-specific rules and future changes. Approval of the petition establishes a qualifying family relationship; it does not itself grant a visa or permanent residence.
Consular processing from outside the United States
When the relative applies for an immigrant visa abroad, additional costs can include a $120 Affidavit of Support review fee and a $325 immigrant visa application fee for many family-based cases. The applicant also pays for a required medical examination, vaccinations when applicable, and document-related expenses. The medical exam price varies by country and provider.
Adjustment of status inside the United States
An eligible relative already in the United States may be able to apply for a green card using Form I-485. The standard fee is $1,440 for most applicants age 14 through 78 under the current fee schedule. The total can be higher when there are multiple applicants, separate filings, or other case-specific requirements.
The sponsor may also need to submit Form I-864, Affidavit of Support. Filing this form with USCIS generally has no separate filing fee, but consular processing commonly includes the Department of State’s Affidavit of Support review charge. The sponsor must meet applicable income or asset requirements or find a qualifying joint sponsor. Sponsorship is a legally binding undertaking with potential financial consequences, not simply a filing charge.
What Does a K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa Cost?
A U.S. citizen seeking a K-1 visa for a foreign fiancé(e) generally files Form I-129F. The current USCIS filing fee is $675. The fiancé(e) then pays the Department of State’s K visa application fee, currently $265, plus the cost of a medical exam, required documents, and travel.
The K-1 process does not end with entry into the United States. After the marriage takes place within the required 90-day period, the spouse generally applies for adjustment of status. The Form I-485 fee is a major additional expense, along with any applicable medical, legal, or document costs. As a result, evaluating only the initial petition and visa fee understates the full cost of the process.
Who Usually Pays the Sponsorship Costs?
Payment responsibility depends on the visa category and the specific fee. Employment-based rules may require the employer to pay certain costs, particularly expenses connected to a required labor certification or costs that cannot lawfully be shifted to an H-1B worker. Family-based sponsors typically pay petition or support-related costs they choose to cover, while the intending immigrant may pay personal application, medical, and travel expenses.
Before filing, the sponsor and applicant should make a written budget that identifies each government fee, who will pay it, and when it is due. A fee payment does not guarantee approval, and most government fees are not refundable simply because a case is denied or withdrawn.
Factors That Can Increase the Total Cost
- Premium processing: Optional expedited service adds a significant fee and is available only for eligible filings.
- Dependents: Spouses and children may need separate applications, medical exams, and visa processing.
- Legal representation: Attorney fees vary with the case’s complexity, location, and services included.
- Translations and records: Certified translations, civil documents, evaluations, and replacement records can add costs.
- Requests for evidence or complications: Additional legal work, resubmissions, or appeals can increase expenses.
- Travel and medical expenses: Consular appointments, required exams, vaccinations, and travel are usually outside the basic filing fee.
- Changing government fees: USCIS and the Department of State periodically revise fees, and charges differ among categories.
How to Check Current Visa Sponsorship Fees
Before paying or filing, check the official fee pages for the agency handling each step. USCIS provides a Fee Schedule and Fee Calculator, plus instructions for individual forms. The Department of State publishes visa application fees and National Visa Center charges. The Department of Labor provides PERM rules and employer guidance.
- USCIS filing fees and the USCIS Fee Calculator
- Department of State visa service fees
- Department of Labor H-1B guidance
- Department of Labor permanent labor certification information
Forms, fee amounts, and eligibility requirements can change. The official instructions in effect on the filing date take precedence over estimates in general guides. For a complex case or uncertainty about who may legally pay a particular charge, an immigration attorney or qualified employer compliance professional can help clarify the costs before the process begins.