How Much Does a US Green Card Cost? Fees by Route: Family, Employment, EB-5, DV Lottery and Gold Card [2026]

This article is a general explanation based on information published by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the US Department of State as of September 8, 2026. Government fees, investment amounts and exchange rates change. Please check with a professional before applying for advice on your individual eligibility or tax position.

The answer to "How much does a US green card cost?" is that the figure changes by orders of magnitude depending on the route you use. For family sponsorship, government fees run to roughly US$1,400–3,000; for the investor green card (EB-5), the investment alone starts at US$800,000; and the Gold Card launched in 2025 requires a gift of US$1,000,000. In this article, we break down the cost of obtaining US permanent residence (a green card) into five routes – family, employment, investment, the lottery and the Gold Card – and list the fees published by USCIS and the Department of State. We also cover typical attorney fees, the cost of preparing documents in Japan and the fees you will face after you obtain your green card, so you can see the full picture before you decide to apply.

*Amounts and rules are as of September 8, 2026. JPY estimates for amounts that are not set in yen use US$1 = JPY 153. This article is an English version of our Japanese guide, adapted for foreign residents of Japan and international investors.

Summary: The cost of a US green card depends on the route

First, here is an overview of the approximate total cost by route. Government fees are the published amounts; attorney fees and other costs are typical market ranges.

If you think in terms of the application fee for permanent residence in Japan, this may come as a surprise: in the United States, attorney fees and the investment amount determine the total cost far more than the application fees themselves. Below, we look at the breakdown for each route.

Costs fall into three categories: government fees, attorney fees and other expenses

Whichever route you use, the cost of a US green card falls into three categories.

• Government fees: the fee for each form filed with USCIS and the visa application fee paid to the US Embassy or Consulate. The amounts are published and are the same for everyone.
• Attorney fees: the fees charged by a US immigration attorney if you hire one. They vary widely by route and firm; typical ranges are US$1,500–5,000 for family-based cases and US$15,000–35,000 for EB-5.
• Other expenses: the medical examination, obtaining and translating documents such as a Japanese family register (koseki) extract, police certificates, travel and so on. Expect from tens of thousands to a little over a hundred thousand yen per person.

USCIS fees are based on the current fee schedule revised on April 1, 2024, under which the biometrics (fingerprinting) fee is now included in the application fee. The separate "US$85 biometrics fee" mentioned in older articles and books no longer applies.

Family-based (spouses, parents and children): about US$1,400–3,000 in government fees

This route is for the spouse, child or parent of a US citizen or permanent resident. There are two ways to apply – adjusting status inside the United States (Form I-485) or receiving an immigrant visa at the US Embassy in Japan (consular processing, Form DS-260) – and the fee structure differs between them.

On top of this come the medical examination (around US$200–500 in the United States, or roughly JPY 30,000–50,000 at a designated clinic in Japan) and document costs such as the English translation of family register extracts. If a child under 14 files an I-485 together with a parent, the child's application fee is reduced to US$950.

Attorney fees are typically US$1,500–5,000. Because spouse cases involve fairly standard paperwork, many people file without an attorney; in that case the total usually comes to about JPY 250,000–400,000 in government fees and document costs alone.

Employment-based (EB-1 to EB-3): about US$1,500–2,500 for the applicant (excluding attorney fees)

This is the employment-based green card sponsored by a US employer. For EB-2 and EB-3, the employer first obtains labor certification (PERM) from the Department of Labor, then files an immigrant petition (I-140), and finally the applicant files for permanent residence (I-485).

By law, PERM costs (advertising and attorney fees) must be paid by the employer. The applicant mainly pays for the I-485 stage and beyond; including the medical exam, expect US$1,500–2,500 plus attorney fees. The employer's own attorney fees are typically around US$5,000–10,000.

For EB-1A (extraordinary ability) and EB-2 NIW (national interest waiver), which do not require an employer, the applicant files both the I-140 and the I-485, so government fees total about US$2,150 and attorney fees are typically US$8,000–15,000 – the highest applicant-paid cost among the employment routes.

Investor green card (EB-5): investment from US$800,000, total from about US$891,000

This green card is obtained by investing in a US business that creates 10 jobs. Under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act (RIA), effective March 15, 2022, the current minimum investment amounts are:

• Targeted employment area (TEA) or infrastructure project: US$800,000
• All other projects: US$1,050,000

These amounts are scheduled to rise with an inflation adjustment on January 1, 2027, and will be reviewed every five years thereafter. Filing your immigrant petition (I-526E) before the increase locks in the current amount, so for anyone considering EB-5, filing in 2026 is an important milestone. Applications through regional centers (government-designated investment vehicles) are authorized under current law until September 30, 2027. USCIS published a proposal in October 2025 to lower EB-5 fees (I-526E US$9,625, I-829 US$7,860), but as of September 2026 it has not been finalized, so this article uses the current fees.

If you invest in a non-TEA project, the investment is US$1,050,000, so the total is about US$1,141,000–1,191,000. The investment is returned if the business succeeds, but the principal is not guaranteed. The administration fee, government fees and attorney fees – about US$88,000–138,000 in total – should be treated as costs you will not get back, whatever the outcome.

In EB-5 cases, the core of the review is the "source of funds" documentation proving that the investment money was obtained lawfully. Because Japanese tax returns, bank passbooks, real estate sale contracts, company registration certificates and similar documents must be translated into English, translation costs are higher than for other routes. Our office handles English translation and certification of company registration certificates and tax returns (in Japanese).

Diversity Visa (DV) lottery: free to enter, about US$565 per person plus a medical exam if selected

The Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) program, run every year by the US Department of State, includes Japan among its eligible countries, and entering is free. Registration usually opens around October, and selectees are announced around May of the following year. Note that eligibility is based on your country of birth, not on where you live, and the list of eligible countries can change from year to year, so check the State Department's instructions for the current program year.

Even if you are selected, you lose the right if you do not complete the process by the deadline. Because application fees and medical exams are needed for every family member, it is safest to budget around JPY 500,000 for a family of four. Some businesses charge tens of thousands of yen to "register for you", but you can register free of charge on the State Department's official website.

Gold Card (Trump Gold Card): US$1,000,000 gift plus a US$15,000 processing fee

This program was created by the executive order of September 19, 2025 (EO 14351), and began accepting applications on December 11, 2025. An individual gives US$1,000,000 to the US government and is then reviewed for permanent residence under the EB-1 or EB-2 category. When a company applies on behalf of an employee, the amount is US$2,000,000 per person.

Keep in mind that the program still has very little track record. According to press reports, as of May 2026 there were 338 applicants, 165 of whom had paid the processing fee, and only one approval had been confirmed. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has also reportedly stated in court filings that Gold Card applicants will not necessarily be processed faster than other applicants. Because the program rests on an executive order, its legal footing is less stable than green card routes established by Congress, and the gift is not refunded regardless of the outcome. The US$1,000,000 should be weighed against the EB-5 TEA investment of US$800,000, which may be returned. For the documents needed from Japan, see English translation of documents for Trump Gold Card applications (in Japanese).

Costs after you obtain your green card: renewal, removing conditions and citizenship

Getting a green card is not the end: renewal and removal of conditions also involve fees. This section also answers the question "How much does US citizenship cost?"

Apart from fees, make sure before you apply that you understand that a green card holder is taxed by the United States as a resident on worldwide income. For the effect on assets and income in Japan, see Taxes and resident registration when moving abroad and our guide to Japan's exit tax.

Documents from Japan and their cost: English translations required, apostille generally not

Whichever route you use, Japanese official documents must be translated into English. US immigration procedures require an English translation accompanied by the translator's certification (certified translation); the apostille or consular legalization by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs that other countries require is generally not needed for USCIS or US Embassy procedures.

If a family member living overseas needs a Japanese family register extract, our service for obtaining koseki extracts from abroad (in Japanese) can help. Our office also prepares English translations with a translator's certification.

FAQ

Can I apply myself without an attorney?

Many people file spouse cases and the Diversity Visa (DV) on their own, paying only government fees and document costs. For EB-5 and employment-based cases, which involve specialist documents such as source-of-funds evidence and labor certification, hiring an attorney is the norm.

How do costs change if the whole family applies?

Government fees are charged per person. The I-485 fee is reduced to US$950 for a child under 14 filing together with a parent, but the DS-260 fee and medical exam are charged in full for each person.

Are fees refunded if the application is denied?

No. USCIS and State Department fees are paid for the review itself and are not refunded regardless of the outcome. The same applies to EB-5 regional center administration fees and the Gold Card processing fee and gift.

When do the fees change?

USCIS fees change through rule revisions every few years (most recently on April 1, 2024). The EB-5 investment amounts are scheduled for an inflation adjustment on January 1, 2027. Exchange rates also have a large impact on the cost in yen.

Does a Japanese family register extract need an apostille?

Generally not for US immigration procedures, which require an English translation with the translator's certification. However, recipients outside the immigration process, such as US state agencies or universities, may ask for an apostille.

Conclusion: choose your route first, then estimate the cost

As a guide, a US green card costs about JPY 250,000–1.3 million for family-based cases, JPY 250,000–400,000 paid by the applicant for employment-based cases, from about US$891,000 for EB-5 and from US$1,015,000 for the Gold Card. Because you cannot estimate the cost until you know which route is open to you, start by reviewing your own situation: do you have family or an employer in the United States, and do you have funds to invest?

How does it compare with permanent residence in other countries?

In terms of government fees alone, family-based US permanent residence is relatively inexpensive by global standards. Investment-based residence, on the other hand, costs more than European golden visas: Portugal's golden visa, for example, is based on a EUR 500,000 investment in an investment fund, which is below the EB-5 threshold of US$800,000. We estimate the total cost for Portugal in Portugal golden visa requirements and costs.

The minimum cost of permanent residence and citizenship in each country, including the United States, is listed in How much does permanent residence abroad cost? Costs by country. If you would like to start with the differences between permanent residence, citizenship and visas, read Permanent residence vs citizenship vs visa vs tax residence.

References (primary sources)

• USCIS Fee Schedule (Form G-1055)
• Federal regulation 8 CFR Part 106, USCIS Fee Schedule (legal basis for current fees)
• Federal Register: adjustment to premium processing fees (published January 12, 2026; effective March 1)
• Federal Register: proposed EB-5 fee rule (October 23, 2025; not finalized)
• USCIS EB-5 Integrity Fund (a separate US$1,000 is required when filing the I-526E)
• Newsweek, May 10, 2026: 338 Gold Card applicants, one approval
• US Department of State: visa fees
• USCIS EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
• EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (investment amounts and the January 1, 2027 adjustment)
• Trump Gold Card (Executive Order 14351 and application status)
• 2026 USCIS fee guide (including new fees under H.R.1)
• Explanation of the I-485 filing fee (checked September 8, 2026)
• EB-5 cost breakdown (regional center administration fees and attorney fees)

Fees in this article are as of September 8, 2026. JPY estimates use US$1 = JPY 153.