Green card holders pay a filing fee and a biometric services fee when they explore, but the payment method and timing depend on which immigration form they are submitting

A green card payment is not a single transaction. It is two separate fees collected at different stages of the immigration process, and they are paid to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), not to a private company. The filing fee covers the cost of processing your process. The biometric services fee covers the cost of taking your fingerprints and photograph for a background check. Both fees are required for most green card applications, though some people are exempt.

The amount you pay depends on which form you are submitting. Form I-485 (process to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) has one fee structure. Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) has another. If you are explore through a family member, an employer, or the diversity visa lottery, the form and fee will be different. USCIS publishes the current fee schedule on its website, and the amounts change periodically.

Most people pay by check, money order, or credit card. Some USCIS offices accept payment in person. If you are paying by mail, you send the payment with your process. If you are paying online or in person, you receive a receipt that you must keep — it proves you paid and is part of your case file.

Key Takeaways

  • Green card applications require two separate fees: a filing fee and a biometric services fee, both paid to USCIS.
  • The amount depends on the form you submit and your age; some applicants under 14 or over 79 pay reduced fees or are exempt.
  • You can pay by check, money order, credit card, or in person at a USCIS office, depending on how you submit your process.
  • Payment must be made in U.S. dollars, and you should keep your receipt as proof of payment for your immigration file.
  • If you cannot afford the fees, you can request a fee waiver or reduction by submitting Form I-912 with your process.

Filing fees and biometric services fees are separate charges

The filing fee is what USCIS charges to review your process and make a decision on your case. This fee does not go toward your green card itself — it covers the administrative cost of processing thousands of applications. The filing fee for Form I-485 is currently $640 for most applicants, though USCIS updates this amount without advance notice.

The biometric services fee is charged separately and covers the cost of collecting your fingerprints, photograph, and signature at a USCIS office or contracted location. This fee is currently $85 for most applicants. You pay both fees together when you submit your process, even though they are listed as separate line items on your payment receipt.

Some people pay only one fee or neither. Children under 14 do not pay the biometric services fee. People over 79 do not pay it either. If you are explore for a green card through certain employment-based categories or as an when ready relative of a U.S. citizen, you may have a different fee structure. Check the USCIS fee schedule for your specific form and category before you send payment.

How to pay: methods accepted and where to send your payment

USCIS accepts payment by personal check, cashier's check, money order, or credit card. Do not send cash. If you are mailing your process, include your payment in the same envelope. Write your name and A-number (your USCIS case number, if you have one) on the front of your check or money order so USCIS can match the payment to your process.

If you are paying by credit card, you must use Form G-1450 (Authorization for Credit Card Transactions). Print the form, fill it out completely, sign it, and include it with your process. USCIS will charge your card only after they receive your process and confirm the amount.

Some USCIS field offices accept in-person payment at their payment counters. Call your local USCIS office to ask whether they accept walk-in payments and what hours the payment counter is open. If you pay in person, you receive a receipt when ready. If you pay by mail, keep a copy of your cancelled check or money order receipt as proof.

What happens if you cannot afford the fees

USCIS allows you to request a fee waiver or reduction if paying the full amount would create financial hardship. You submit Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver or Fee Reduction) along with your green card process. On this form, you list your household income, expenses, and assets. USCIS uses this information to decide whether to waive the filing fee, reduce it, or require you to pay in full.

A fee waiver means you pay nothing. A fee reduction means you pay a lower amount than the standard fee. USCIS does not waive the biometric services fee — only the filing fee is may be able to access for waiver or reduction. You must submit Form I-912 at the same time you submit your process; you cannot request a waiver after USCIS has already received your case.

If USCIS denies your waiver request, they will send you a notice telling you how much you owe and when to pay. You then have a set number of days to submit payment. If you do not pay by the important date, USCIS may deny your process.

Payment timing and what to expect after you pay

You pay your fees when you submit your process, not before. Do not send payment to USCIS without also sending your completed process form. If you send payment alone, USCIS will not process it and may return it to you.

After USCIS receives your process and payment, they send you a receipt notice (Form I-797) within two to three weeks. This receipt confirms that USCIS has accepted your case and assigned it a case number. The receipt notice is not a decision on your process — it is proof that your process is in the system and your payment was received.

If your payment is missing or incomplete, USCIS will send you a notice asking you to submit the correct amount. You then have a important date to pay. If you miss the important date, USCIS may deny your process without reviewing it. This is why keeping a copy of your payment receipt is important — it proves you paid on time.

Where your payment goes and how it is used

Your filing fee goes into the general USCIS account and is used to pay for staff, office space, technology systems, and other operational costs. Your biometric services fee goes to the contractor who collects your fingerprints and photograph. Neither fee is refundable, even if USCIS denies your process.

USCIS publishes an annual budget that shows how much money it collects in fees and how it spends that money. The agency is required by law to use fee revenue only for immigration services — they cannot use it for other government programs. However, the amount of fee revenue does not always match the amount USCIS spends, so the agency sometimes operates at a deficit or surplus.

Common payment mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is sending payment without sending your process. USCIS will not process a payment that arrives alone. Another common mistake is writing the wrong amount on your check or money order. If the amount does not match the fee schedule, USCIS will send you a notice asking you to submit the difference.

Some people send payment to the wrong address. USCIS has multiple mailing addresses depending on which form you are submitting and which state you live in. Check the USCIS website or your form's instructions to find the correct address for your process. Sending payment to the wrong address delays your case and may cause your payment to be lost.

Do not send payment by Western Union, wire transfer, or any other method not listed on the USCIS website. Do not send cash. Do not send payment to a USCIS office unless you are paying in person at their payment counter. Following these rules ensures your payment reaches the right place and is recorded correctly in your file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my green card fees online?

USCIS does not have a centralized online payment system for green card applications. You must pay by check, money order, credit card (using Form G-1450), or in person at a USCIS office. Some USCIS field offices are testing online payment options, so call your local office to ask whether they accept online payments.

What if I send payment but USCIS loses it?

This is rare but can happen. If you paid by check or money order and your receipt notice does not show that payment was received, contact USCIS when ready. Bring a copy of your cancelled check or money order receipt as proof. USCIS can search their records and confirm whether the payment was deposited.

Do I have to pay the green card fees if I am already in the United States?

Yes. The filing fee and biometric services fee are required for all green card applications, regardless of where you are located or how you are explore. The only exceptions are people who are exempt by law, such as when ready relatives of U.S. citizens explore through certain categories.

Can I pay the green card fees in installments?

No. USCIS requires full payment of both fees when you submit your process. If you cannot afford the full amount, you can request a fee waiver or reduction using Form I-912. You cannot split the payment into multiple installments.

What currency should I use to pay my green card fees?

You must pay in U.S. dollars only. If you are outside the United States, you can send a check drawn on a U.S. bank, a U.S. money order, or use Form G-1450 to pay by credit card. Do not send payment in another country's currency — USCIS will not accept it.