What are the costs for the I-485 Adjustment of Status for K visa entrants?

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The cost for Adjustment of Status (I-485, “Green Card”) for fiance visa holders ranges from $1,300 to $1,800 per person on average, which includes filing fees and other expenses. However, the two biggest variables that can raise costs exponentially are: 

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(1) Children on a K-2 visa also Adjusting Status ($1,200+ each) 

(2) Hiring legal help ($2,000+)

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If you’re concerned about having enough for the Green Card process, especially after a wedding and the entire K visa process, figuring out the exact costs is important. So let’s look at a detailed breakdown of expenses associated with getting the Adjustment of Status for a Green Card (specifically for K visa holders).

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Download to see the Full Cost Breakdown

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Fixed, Direct costs for a Green Card

(all figures are in US dollars)

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I-485, Adjustment of Status, application fee is a total of $1,160 per person. This comprises a filing fee of  $1,130 per applicant of any age (a reduced fee for applicants younger than 14 years is no longer available)… and an additional biometrics fee of $30 per person. Methods of payment are personal check, cashier’s check, money order, or credit card. All fees are non-refundable and final, regardless of the outcome of your case. You must pay separately for each applicant; do not combine payments for different applicants.
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I-944, Declaration of Self-Sufficiency, filing fee is $0 but you may need to spend money to get supporting documents like University transcripts, translations, certifications, and so on depending on which documents you’re missing. The estimated costs for supporting documents are shown below.
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I-864, Affidavit of Support, costs $0 to file, but you may need to spend money to get supporting documents. See below for an average rate.
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I-693, Report of Medical Examination and  Vaccination Record, carries a $0 filing fee. However, you may need to get a new medical exam or the remainder of your vaccinations, the costs of which vary based on which clinic you choose and what you’re missing. If your previous test results have expired or if you didn’t take vaccinations, it may be an additional $150 – $300 per applicant for the exam. Remember, this includes any K-2 visa children. Rates vary based on the civil surgeon and the treatment.
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I-131, Application for Travel Document, filing fee is $0 (waived) if filed concurrently with I-485. If filed before (not recommended), it’s $590.
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I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, filing fee is $0 (waived) if filed concurrently with I-485. If filed before (not recommended), it’s $580.
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K-2 Visa children Adjusting Status – Like I mentioned earlier, children cost nearly as much as adults during the Adjustment of Status, I-485. Each child costs $1,200+, not to mention expenses such as getting a fresh medical exam, if needed. This is a huge cost item and you will need to prepare.

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Hidden or Indirect Costs

Preparing documents – Believe it or not, a huge indirect expense is preparing and gathering documents. You may need to get copies of your marriage certificate, get new passport style photos, translations, copies of documents, and much more. It’s difficult to give an exact figure, but the range is anywhere from $50 to $150. If you need documents for the I-864 Affidavit of Support or the I-944 Declaration of Self-Sufficiency, additional costs add up.
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Mailing paperwork – To courier your I-485 packet to the USCIS costs postal fees. Since this is normally a heavy packet, you can expect costs to be over $50 for express or priority mail. If you choose extra features, like signature or tracking, it’s slightly more expensive. Also, if you ever have an RFE to send back, you’ll pay for mailing paperwork back and forth.
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Travel Expenses – You may pay a bit to travel while your I-485 is processing. For example, you will need to appear in person to undergo the Biometrics exam. You may need to travel to/from a clinic to get a fresh I-693 for medical or vaccinations. You also must incur expenses to get to/from the Green Card interview, not to mention parking expenses, tolls, etc. From experience, travel expenses range from $25-$50.
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Legal Help (if you hire one) – The biggest expense will be legal help (if you choose to hire one). On average, you’ll pay $2,000+ for someone to prepare your case, adding a tremendous amount to the total. Most people normally don’t hire attorneys unless there is a need to get a specialist’s advice or consultation.

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Other non Green-Card-Related expenses – Other expenses, which are not necessarily related to immigration, can be realized at the same time. For example, if you choose to get a Social Security card, driver’s license, etc. they may all carry different rates. You will need to research these independently.

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Summary of costs

Below, download the table of the costs to help you understand each line item.

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Download this Cost table in a PDF

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Prepare a budget before you begin

To summarize: the average cost per person for Adjustment of Status is $1,300 to $1,800 after entry with a K visa. Considering how much you already spent on the K visa process and the recent wedding, it’s important to think about setting up a budget.

Secondly, understand two main variables in the cost of a Green Card: K-2 visa children, and if you’re using legal help. Both can add an exponential amount per family. Children may need extra documentation or medical exams, for example. The cost of legal fees depend on who you hire and how much time he or she spends on it.

Finally, I’d like to know if you think there are other costs during the Adjustment of Status which weren’t mentioned above. Please comment below and let us know what we should add to this list.

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