Last updated: October 2026. Fees checked against the USCIS fee schedule, Form G-1055 (edition 10/07/26), and the Department of State visa fee page.
The EB2 NIW cost starts with two government fees for the petition itself: the Form I-140 filing fee ($715 on paper or $665 online) and a $300 Asylum Program Fee for self-petitioners. That makes $1,015 on paper or $965 online for a self-petitioned I-140. On top of that come optional premium processing ($2,965), the green card stage (an I-485 inside the U.S. or an immigrant visa abroad), third-party costs such as the medical exam, and any professional help you hire. This guide breaks down each EB2 NIW cost with links to the official source, then adds up realistic budgets for single applicants and families.
EB2 NIW cost at a glance (2026)
| Cost item | Official amount (Oct 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Form I-140 filing fee | $715 paper / $665 online | Required for every NIW petition |
| Asylum Program Fee | $300 self-petitioner or small employer; $600 regular petitioner; $0 nonprofit | Paid with the I-140 |
| Total USCIS fee, self-petitioned I-140 | $1,015 paper / $965 online | $715 + $300, or $665 + $300 |
| Premium processing (Form I-907) | $2,965 | Optional; amount in effect since March 1, 2026 |
| Form I-485 (age 14 or older) | $1,440 paper / $1,390 online | Per applicant adjusting status in the U.S. |
| Form I-485 (child under 14 filing with a parent) | $950 paper / $900 online | Per child |
| Form I-765 work permit with a pending I-485 | $260 | Optional; for I-485s filed with a fee on or after April 1, 2024 |
| Form I-131 advance parole with a pending I-485 | $630 paper / $580 online | Optional |
| Immigrant visa application (DS-260), consular route | $345 per person | Paid to the Department of State |
| USCIS Immigrant Fee, consular route | $235 per person | Paid to USCIS after the visa is issued |
| Medical exam | Set by the doctor | Not a government fee |
EB2 NIW cost at the I-140 stage
The I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers) is the petition that asks USCIS to classify you as an EB-2 professional with an advanced degree or exceptional ability and to waive the job offer and labor certification “in the national interest.” Every NIW case starts here, and it is the only government fee you pay before USCIS decides your petition.
Form I-140 filing fee: $715 or $665
The USCIS fee schedule lists the I-140 fee as $715 for paper filing and $665 for online filing. USCIS notes that filing online often carries a $50 discount. Online availability changes over time, so check the USCIS Forms Available to File Online page before you choose a method. Paper filings are paid by card (Form G-1450) or bank transfer (Form G-1650), and an incorrect fee causes the filing to be rejected.
Asylum Program Fee: who pays $600, $300 or $0
Every I-140 also carries an Asylum Program Fee. According to G-1055, it is:
- $600 for a regular petitioner (most employers)
- $300 for a small employer or a self-petitioner
- $0 for a nonprofit petitioner
Most NIW applicants self-petition, so the usual figure is $300. The USCIS I-140 page explains that self-petitioners answer “No” to Part 1, Question 5 and “Yes” to Question 6 to show they qualify for the reduced fee. If an employer files the NIW petition for you instead, the fee depends on the employer’s size and status.
Premium processing: $2,965 (optional)
Premium processing for an I-140 costs $2,965 under the DHS rule effective March 1, 2026, which raised it from $2,805. It is paid with Form I-907, separately from the other fees, and cannot be waived. For NIW petitions, USCIS commits to taking action within 45 business days: an approval, a denial, a Request for Evidence (RFE), a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID), or opening a fraud investigation (USCIS premium processing page). It does not guarantee a decision or an approval, and an RFE or NOID stops the clock. See our full guide to EB2 NIW premium processing for when it can make sense.
Green card stage: adjustment of status vs consular processing
An approved I-140 is not a green card. Once your priority date is current under the Visa Bulletin, you and any eligible family members apply for the green card itself. The USCIS EB-2 page confirms that your spouse and unmarried children under 21 may also be eligible to immigrate with you. Each family member pays their own green card fees; they do not need their own I-140.
Inside the U.S.: Form I-485 and related fees
- Form I-485: $1,440 paper or $1,390 online per applicant aged 14 or older, and $950 paper or $900 online for a child under 14 filing with a parent (G-1055).
- Form I-765 (work permit), optional: $260 if your I-485 was filed with a fee on or after April 1, 2024 and is still pending.
- Form I-131 (advance parole for travel), optional: $630 paper or $580 online with a pending I-485. G-1055 also lists a separate Immigration Parole Fee under Public Law 119-21 for certain parole approvals, with exceptions; check the fee schedule to see whether it applies to you.
- Medical exam (Form I-693): USCIS says that since December 2, 2024 you must submit Form I-693 with your I-485, or USCIS may reject it. The civil surgeon sets the exam fee, so prices vary.
Outside the U.S.: consular processing fees
- Immigrant visa application (DS-260): $345 per person for employment-based cases based on an approved I-140 (State Department fee page).
- USCIS Immigrant Fee: $235 per person (G-1055). USCIS encourages you to pay it after you receive your immigrant visa and before you travel; the green card is not issued until it is paid.
- Medical exam: done by a panel physician approved by the U.S. embassy or consulate, and paid directly to that physician. Each post publishes its own instructions.
Total EB2 NIW cost: sample budgets
The table below adds up the government fees only, using paper-filing amounts unless stated. It excludes medical exams, credential evaluations, translations, courier costs and professional fees.
| Scenario | Fees included | Government total |
|---|---|---|
| Single applicant in the U.S., standard processing | I-140 $715 + APF $300 + I-485 $1,440 | $2,455 ($2,355 if both forms are filed online) |
| Same, plus work permit and advance parole | + I-765 $260 + I-131 $630 | $3,345 |
| Single applicant in the U.S., with premium processing | $2,455 + I-907 $2,965 | $5,420 |
| Family of three in the U.S. (applicant, spouse, child under 14) | I-140 $1,015 + I-485 $1,440 × 2 + child I-485 $950 | $4,845 |
| Single applicant abroad (consular) | I-140 $1,015 + DS-260 $345 + Immigrant Fee $235 | $1,595 |
| Family of three abroad (consular) | I-140 $1,015 + ($345 + $235) × 3 | $2,755 |
Timing matters as much as the total. The I-140 fees are paid at filing, but the green card fees usually come much later, once your priority date is current. How long that takes depends on USCIS processing and your country’s Visa Bulletin cut-off; see our EB-2 NIW processing time guide for the current picture.
Costs USCIS does not set
Several real expenses are paid to private providers, so there is no official price. Get written quotes for:
- Credential evaluation of a foreign degree, which many petitioners include to show U.S. equivalency.
- Certified English translations of any foreign-language documents.
- Medical exam by a USCIS civil surgeon or an embassy panel physician, including any vaccinations.
- Printing, courier and document retrieval, such as police certificates for consular cases.
- Professional help with drafting the petition, recommendation letters or an RFE response.
Professional fees: attorney, consultancy or do it yourself
You can file an NIW petition yourself, hire a licensed immigration attorney, or use a petition-preparation service. Attorney fees vary widely by firm and by case, so ask for a written, itemized quote that states whether USCIS fees are included.
Skycap Consultancy is a petition-preparation consultancy, not a law firm. Our Complete I-140 Petition Package is $3,000 in three installments: $750 at the start, $750 during preparation, and a final $1,500 due only after your case is approved. Recommendation letters are $50 each through our letter service, and RFE response support is priced separately. Our fees never include USCIS or State Department fees, which you pay directly to the government.
Not sure your profile fits the NIW criteria before you spend anything? Request a free profile evaluation and we will tell you how your background lines up with the requirements.
How to keep your EB2 NIW cost down
- File online where available. Online I-140 and I-485 filings are each $50 cheaper than paper, according to G-1055.
- Pay the right Asylum Program Fee. Self-petitioners pay $300, not $600. Answer Part 1, Questions 5 and 6 correctly.
- Treat premium processing as a timing tool, not an upgrade. It does not change the evidence standard, so $2,965 makes sense only when a faster answer has real value for you.
- Avoid rejections. A wrong fee amount gets the filing rejected, which costs you time and resubmission costs.
- Prepare a complete petition the first time. Since a USCIS policy update on August 5, 2026, officers may deny a request without first issuing an RFE when required initial evidence is missing or eligibility is not shown. Refiling after a denial means paying the I-140 fees again.
To see what the petition must prove before you pay any filing fee, read our guide to the three prongs of EB-2 NIW.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total USCIS fee to file an EB2 NIW petition?
For a self-petitioner, it is $1,015 on paper ($715 I-140 fee plus the $300 Asylum Program Fee) or $965 online ($665 plus $300), per G-1055. Premium processing, if you choose it, adds $2,965.
Do self-petitioners pay the $600 Asylum Program Fee?
No. The fee schedule lists $300 for a small employer or self-petitioner. The $600 amount applies to regular petitioners, and nonprofit petitioners pay $0.
Does my spouse need a separate I-140?
No. One approved I-140 covers the principal applicant, and USCIS states that a spouse and unmarried children under 21 may be eligible to immigrate with you. Each family member pays their own I-485 fee in the U.S., or the DS-260 and USCIS Immigrant Fee abroad.
Can the premium processing fee be waived?
No. USCIS states that fee waivers are not available for Form I-907, and the fee must be paid separately from the other filing fees.
Does Skycap’s $3,000 fee include USCIS fees?
No. The $3,000 covers our petition-preparation service only, and the final $1,500 installment is due only after approval. Government fees are paid directly to USCIS or the Department of State. See our plans for details.
Will these fees change?
They can. The law allows DHS to adjust premium processing fees for inflation every two years (the latest increase took effect March 1, 2026), and USCIS updates G-1055 when fees change. Always check the current fee schedule on the day you file.
Ready to plan your budget around a real case? Evaluate your profile for free and get a clear picture of your EB2 NIW cost before you commit.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Skycap Consultancy is a petition-preparation consultancy, not a law firm. Fees and processing times change; check the linked USCIS and Department of State pages before filing.
