I-130 Fee: What Filing the Petition for Alien Relative Costs
Written by the Ellis Porter content team. This article has not been reviewed by an attorney. It is general information, not legal advice.
In plain English
The I-130 filing fee is the government charge to submit Form I-130, the Petition for Alien Relative, to USCIS. It is only one piece of the overall family-based green card cost; the green card stage that follows (adjustment of status or the immigrant visa abroad) carries its own separate fees. USCIS updates its fee schedule periodically, so any specific dollar figure can go out of date; always confirm the current amount on the official USCIS fee schedule before you pay. Whether other fees apply, and how much the whole process costs, depends on your path.
Part of Ellis Porter’s guide to family-based green card sponsorship.
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Start with what you will actually pay
If you are getting ready to sponsor a relative, the I-130 fee is usually the first cost you run into, and it is the one people ask us about most. Here is what it covers and what it does not, in plain terms.
The I-130 fee is the government charge to submit Form I-130, the Petition for Alien Relative, to USCIS. It pays for processing the petition that establishes a family relationship, the first step in a family-based green card.
We deliberately do not quote a dollar figure here, because USCIS updates its fees periodically and a number that looks right today can be wrong next quarter. The reliable amount is on the official USCIS filing-fee schedule and the USCIS Form I-130 page. Check the current figure the same week you file.
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The I-130 fee is only one piece
A common misunderstanding is that the I-130 fee is the cost of the green card. It is not. It covers only the petition. The green card stage that follows carries its own separate fees, and there are other costs too:
So the I-130 fee is the entry cost, not the total. For the full picture of a spousal case, see marriage green card cost.
Why we will not quote a number
USCIS periodically issues fee rules that change amounts and sometimes how fees are bundled. Quoting a figure from memory risks steering you to pay the wrong amount, and an incorrect fee is a common reason USCIS rejects and returns a petition. The safe habit is to open the official fee schedule, find the current I-130 fee for the current form edition, and pay exactly that.
Paying the fee correctly
- Paper filing: USCIS generally accepts a check, money order, or credit card authorization form. Follow the current instructions on the Form I-130 page.
- Online filing: you pay electronically at submission. See the I-130 application form guide for the e-filing route.
- Exact amount, current edition: paying the wrong amount, or filing on an outdated form, causes a rejection and a delay.
Petitioning for a family member?
See how the I-130 works and what your relative’s path looks like.
One fee per relative
Each relative you sponsor needs their own I-130 and their own fee. If you are petitioning, say, two parents or several children, budget for a separate petition and fee for each beneficiary. There is no combined "family" petition that covers multiple relatives on a single I-130, so the petition cost scales with the number of relatives you file for. Confirm the per-petition fee on the official fee schedule.
Fee waivers
Some USCIS fees can be waived for applicants who meet financial-hardship criteria, but whether the I-130 qualifies and how to request a waiver depend on the current USCIS policy and the applicant’s circumstances. Do not assume a waiver applies; confirm it against current USCIS guidance or ask an attorney.
Budget the whole process, not just the petition
Because the I-130 fee is only the first of several costs, the reliable way to budget is to work through the full path:
- Confirm the current I-130 fee for your form edition.
- Add the green card stage fee for your path, adjustment of status in the US or the immigrant visa for consular processing abroad.
- Add the medical exam, photos, and certified translations.
- If you use one, get a separate written attorney quote that keeps legal fees clearly apart from government fees.
Because both USCIS and Department of State fees change, treat every figure as something to re-verify the week you file. For a worked example on a spousal case, see marriage green card cost.
How an Ellis Porter attorney helps
Getting the fee right sounds trivial, but a wrong amount or an outdated form edition can send your petition back and cost you weeks. A licensed Ellis Porter attorney can confirm the current fee for your case, make sure the payment and form edition match, and budget the whole process so the green card stage does not surprise you.
This article is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Government fees change; verify current amounts with USCIS. Consult a licensed immigration attorney about your case.
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Frequently asked questions
How much is the I-130 filing fee?
The I-130 has a set government filing fee, but USCIS updates its fees periodically, so we do not quote a specific figure here that could become outdated. The reliable amount is on the official USCIS filing-fee schedule and the Form I-130 page. Confirm the current fee there before you file, and make sure you are paying for the current form edition, since paying the wrong amount can cause a rejection.
What does the I-130 fee cover?
The I-130 fee covers USCIS processing of the petition that establishes the family relationship. It does not cover the later green card stage, the medical exam, translations, or attorney fees. Think of it as the cost of the first step only. The petition confirms the relationship and, for capped categories, sets a priority date, but a separate paid step is needed before anyone receives a green card.
Is the I-130 fee the total cost of a green card?
No. The I-130 fee is just the petition stage. After it, the beneficiary pays for the green card stage, either the adjustment-of-status application in the US or the immigrant visa and related fees for consular processing abroad, plus costs like the medical exam, photos, and translations. The total depends on your path, so budget for the whole process, not just the I-130.
Where do I confirm the current I-130 fee?
Confirm the current fee on the official USCIS filing-fee schedule and the USCIS Form I-130 page. These list the fee, the accepted payment methods, and the correct filing address. Because USCIS changes fees and occasionally how they are bundled, treat the official page as the single source of truth and check it the same week you file rather than relying on an older figure.
How do I pay the I-130 fee?
For paper filings, USCIS generally accepts payment by check, money order, or a credit card authorization form; for online filings, you pay electronically at submission. The accepted methods and any bundling are described in the current USCIS instructions and fee schedule. Pay the exact current amount for the current form edition, because an incorrect fee is a common reason petitions are rejected and returned.
Is there a fee waiver for the I-130?
Some USCIS fees can be waived for applicants who meet financial-hardship criteria, but eligibility for a fee waiver depends on the specific form and the applicant’s circumstances under current USCIS policy. Whether the I-130 qualifies and how to request a waiver should be confirmed against the current USCIS guidance. An attorney can advise whether a fee waiver or reduced fee is available in your situation.
Petitioning for a family member?
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