How Much Does It Cost To Get A Green Card

Green Card: Living and Working in the USA

Anyone who wants to have an unlimited residence and work permit for the USA needs the most famous visa in the world: the Green Card. With very few exceptions, the Green Card holder has the same rights as a US citizen.

What is a Green Card?

The Green Card is an official ID document that allows its owner to live and work in the United States of America without any time limit.

Most people are familiar with the legendary Green Card Lottery, in which US fans worldwide can fulfill their dream of emigrating to America each year.

However, due to the tremendous hurdles and long waiting times for most family and work-based Green Cards, for most US fans, the lottery is the only way to emigrate to the States. 55,000 people win the lottery each year. Those who meet the requirements and do not make any mistakes in the application process have excellent chances and do not need extraordinary skills.

Picture of a US GreenCard

How to apply for a Green Card

The application process for a Green Card differs depending on your reason for immigrating to the US or the type of your qualifications:

Green Card Lottery Application
Where:	Participation in the official Green Card Lottery through The American Dream
Who:	Yourself
Hurdles:	Almost none
How:	Apply now
Application for a family-based Green Card
Where:	Apply at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Who:	Relative who is a US citizen or Green Card holder
Hurdles:	In some cases, decades-long waiting periods
How:	Read more
Application for a employment-based Green Card
Where:	Apply at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Who:	Your future employer in the US
Hurdles:	Requirement of evidence and high costs for the employer
How:	Read more
Application for an investment-based Green Card
Where:	Apply at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Who:	Yourself
Hurdles:	At least $900,000 "entry fee"
How:	Read more

The benefits of a Green Card

Green Card holders enjoy a lot of benefits. These include:

Effortless entry into and exit from the US
The right to live permanently in any state in the US
The right to work permanently and without restriction in the United States
The preservation of one's citizenship
If interested: Acquiring US citizenship after three or five years as a Green Card holder
Saving up to 80% on study fees at US universities

Infographic: The advantages of the GreenCard

Increase your chances to get a Green Card

Applying for a Green Card through employment or for a family reunion is time-consuming and complex. With a few exceptions (for example, for spouses of US citizens), you must prepare for several years of waiting. The solution to this problem is the Green Card Lottery.

But even this has hurdles and pitfalls. The US government can disqualify you for even a small mistake. That's why every year, thousands of US citizens seek the help of The American Dream's Green Card experts to increase their chances of getting a Green Card.

What does a Green Card cost?

The costs for a Green Card differ depending on the category and can vary from case to case. The "basic" costs are:

A processing fee of between $325 and $345.
The USCIS Immigrant Fee of $220
The Biometrics Services Fee of $85
The cost of the medical exam varies from $400 to $500.

Again, the Green Card Lottery is the easiest option. It gets more complicated with work-based and family-based Green Cards. Here, for example, the following costs may apply:

Employment-based Green Card

Immigrant petition for foreign workers
Labor certification: Attorney and agency fees
Fees for "Premium Processing"
Document translation costs

Family-based Green Card

Petition for foreign relatives fee
Cost for Affidavit of Support
Document translation costs

Also, consider the costs for a Green Card activation trip to the USA. Insider tip: If you have chosen the SMART or VIP plan from The American Dream, the flight costs for your trip to and from the USA are included.