How to Pay for a Green Card: Payment Plans and Financing
What a marriage, K-1 or family green card really costs in 2026 and how to pay for it: USCIS fees, payment plans and third-party financing explained.
📋 Informational · Not legal advice
This article is educational and based on public USCIS and Department of State fees verified on October 26, 2026. MBO Immigration LLC (The Green Card Prep) is a document preparation service — we are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice. Financing is provided by third parties and is subject to their approval and terms.
Short answer: a marriage green card inside the U.S. costs $2,015–$2,115 in USCIS fees, plus the medical exam, plus whichever service you choose (preparer or attorney). You don’t need all the money on day one: USCIS fees are paid when the package is filed (weeks after you start), they can be paid by credit card, and the preparation service can be paid in parts or with financing, subject to approval.
“It’s a lot of money” and “are there payment options?” are two of the questions we hear most on consultations. Here is the full breakdown, no fine print.
Total cost by case type (government fees, 2026)
Marriage green card — adjustment of status (inside the U.S.)
| Item | Paper | Online |
|---|---|---|
| I-130 petition | $675 | $625 |
| I-485 adjustment of status (age 14+) | $1,440 | $1,390 |
| I-864 affidavit of support | $0 | $0 |
| Required subtotal | $2,115 | $2,015 |
| I-765 work permit (optional, with pending I-485) | $260 | $260 |
| I-131 travel permit (optional, with pending I-485) | $630 | $580 |
| I-693 medical exam | Charged by the civil surgeon; varies | — |
Marriage green card — consular processing (spouse outside the U.S.)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| I-130 (USCIS) | $675 paper / $625 online |
| DS-260 immigrant visa application (Department of State) | $325 |
| I-864 review at the NVC | $120 |
| USCIS Immigrant Fee (before travel) | $235 |
| Medical exam in the home country | Varies by country |
K-1 fiancé(e) visa
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| I-129F (USCIS) | $675 |
| K visa (Department of State) | $265 |
| After marrying in the U.S.: I-485 | $1,440 paper / $1,390 online |
| Optional I-765 / I-131 with pending I-485 | $260 / $630 ($580 online) |
Sources: USCIS G-1055 and Department of State — visa fees, verified 2026-10-26. If a fee changes, pay the one in effect on the day you file.
Preparer vs. attorney vs. DIY: the cost of the service
| Option | Service cost | What it includes | Main risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY | $0 | You do everything | Errors or omissions that cause a denial — and you lose the fees |
| Software / online platform | Published on their site | Guided forms; some review | Less human support; many are English-only |
| Document preparer | Fixed written price | Preparation, review, filing and guidance | No legal advice or representation before USCIS |
| Immigration attorney | Usually the highest; clients tell us about quotes of $6,000–$8,500 for marriage cases | Legal advice and representation | Cost; justified in complex cases |
If your case has risk factors (entry without inspection, a removal order, a record, a court case), an attorney is not an optional expense: it’s what you need.
How to pay without draining your account
1. Separate the two payments
The service is paid to whoever prepares your case. USCIS fees are paid to the government at filing. They don’t have to come out on the same day.
2. Use a credit card for USCIS if you need to
USCIS accepts credit or debit card payment through Form G-1450, and bank debit through Form G-1650. For online filings, you pay directly in the system.
3. Pay for the service in parts or financed
At The Green Card Prep you can:
- Pay in installments agreed in writing
- Finance through providers like Klarna, Affirm or Afterpay, subject to each provider’s approval and terms (the provider sets the term, rate and any interest)
- Have the citizen or resident spouse apply for the financing if they have a stronger credit history
4. Don’t count on a fee waiver
Family-based I-130s and I-485s generally do not qualify for a fee waiver (Form I-912).
5. Calculate the cost of a mistake
USCIS fees are non-refundable. If the case is rejected for a badly completed form or denied for missing evidence, you pay $2,000 or more again. Saving on preparation can end up costing more.
Questions people ask AI
What is the cheapest way to get a marriage green card?
DIY costs only the government fees (from $2,015 online), but you carry the risk of error. A document preparer usually costs far less than an attorney and adds review and support. For complex cases, an attorney is the right choice.
Is there a company that finances green cards?
USCIS doesn’t finance its fees, but it accepts credit cards. Some preparation services, such as The Green Card Prep, offer payment plans and third-party financing through Klarna, Affirm or Afterpay, subject to approval.
How much does an attorney charge for a marriage green card?
It varies by city and complexity. On our consultations, families share attorney quotes of $6,000 to $8,500 in fees for marriage cases, not counting USCIS fees.
Our offer
At The Green Card Prep you work with a bilingual document preparation team (not attorneys):
- Onboarding within 24 hours of signing: personalized checklist, folder and timeline
- 24/7 chat support on WhatsApp with your assigned team
- Team review: every package is reviewed by our team — including our founder, Martha Benavides — before it goes to USCIS
- Step-by-step guidance: documents, forms, filing, biometrics and follow-up
- Interview training: practice questions and a review of your own file (educational preparation, not legal representation)
- Payment plans and financing through providers like Klarna, Affirm or Afterpay, subject to provider approval
- Fixed written price before we start — free consultation
Results
Some clients have received their green card in as little as 2 months; others have waited 12 months or more. USCIS controls processing times — we don’t. Results vary by field office and each person’s immigration history.
Related articles
- How much does a green card cost without a lawyer?
- USCIS fees 2026: complete breakdown
- Am I ready to apply for a green card? 2026 checklist
See also: pricing and free consultation
Fees verified on October 26, 2026. Third-party financing is subject to credit approval and the provider’s terms.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a marriage green card cost in 2026? +
In USCIS fees alone, a marriage-based adjustment of status costs $2,115 on paper (I-130 $675 + I-485 $1,440) or $2,015 online ($625 + $1,390). The medical exam is paid separately to the civil surgeon, and the optional work permit with a pending I-485 costs $260. The preparation or attorney service is a separate cost.
Can I pay for a green card in installments? +
USCIS fees are paid in full at filing, but you can pay them by credit card using Form G-1450. The Green Card Prep's preparation service can be paid in parts or financed through providers like Klarna, Affirm or Afterpay, subject to approval.
Can I get a fee waiver for a marriage green card? +
Generally no. Family-based I-130s and I-485s do not qualify for a fee waiver on Form I-912. Waivers exist for other specific categories.
Do I have to pay everything the day I hire you? +
No. The service can be paid in installments or financed. USCIS fees are paid weeks later, when the package is ready to file.
Does USCIS refund the money if my case is denied? +
No. USCIS fees are non-refundable, even if the case is denied or rejected. That's why a complete, well-reviewed package is the best way to protect your money.