If you are planning to bring a family member to the United States, filing Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) is usually the first step. While the process may seem simple, many applications are delayed due to confusion about the filing fee or payment method.
Understanding how much you need to pay, when to pay it, and how the payment system works today can help you avoid unnecessary problems. This guide explains the latest Form I-130 fee for 2026, along with recent updates and practical tips to help you file correctly.
What Is the Form I-130 Filing Fee in 2026?
As of 2026, the fee depends on how you submit your application. USCIS charges slightly less for online filing compared to paper filing, mainly because digital applications are easier to process.
| Filing Method | Fee |
|---|---|
| Online Filing | $625 |
| Paper Filing | $675 |
These fees have been in effect since April 1, 2024, when USCIS implemented a comprehensive fee rule update. For most applicants, filing online is not only cheaper but also easier, since the system guides you through each step and helps reduce common errors.
Important: Always verify the current fee at uscis.gov/g-1055 or use the USCIS Fee Calculator before submitting. Submitting the wrong fee will result in automatic rejection of your petition.
The $50 Online Filing Discount — Is It Worth It?
Yes. Filing Form I-130 online through your myUSCIS account saves you $50 compared to paper filing. Under 8 CFR § 106.1(g), USCIS extends an online discount to I-130 petitioners, making the digital route both cheaper and faster to confirm.
Benefits of online filing:
- Immediate receipt confirmation
- Real-time case status updates
- Electronic document submission
- Lower cost ($625 vs. $675)
Important rule: If you plan to file the I-130 concurrently with Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status), you currently cannot file both online simultaneously. Currently, Form I-485 is typically filed by mail and is not widely available for full online submission. If you file I-130 online first, you must wait for your receipt notice (Form I-797) and include it with your paper I-485 package to claim the online discount.
See our step-by-step guide on concurrent filing of Form I-130 and Form I-485 to understand how it works.
When Do You Pay the Filing Fee?
The Form I-130 filing fee must be paid at the time you submit your petition. If you are filing online, you will complete the payment during the submission process. If you are filing by mail, you must include your payment authorization with your application package.
It is important to understand that this is a one-time fee for the petition only. It does not cover the full immigration process. After your petition is approved, you will likely need to pay additional fees for steps such as applying for a green card or completing visa processing.
What Does the I-130 Fee Cover?
The Form I-130 filing fee pays for USCIS to accept and adjudicate the petition. The current fee is $625 for online filing and $675 for paper filing.
Form I-130 does not have a separate biometrics services fee. The filing fee covers only the I-130 petition stage and does not include later Green Card or immigrant visa fees.
USCIS filing fees are generally non-refundable after the filing is accepted, including when a petition is later denied or withdrawn.
Supporting documents are also required with the petition. See our Form I-130 Documents guide for the relationship-specific evidence requirements.
I-130 Form Payment Methods 2026: What Changed and What’s Accepted
Major Policy Change: Electronic Payments Required
Effective October 28, 2025, USCIS generally no longer accepts checks, money orders, or other paper-based payments for benefit requests.
For a paper Form I-130 filing, use an electronic payment method accepted by USCIS, such as credit or debit card authorization or ACH from a U.S. bank account.
Limited paper-payment exemptions may apply in qualifying circumstances through Form G-1651, Exemption for Paper Fee Payment. Always check the current USCIS payment instructions before filing.
Accepted Payment Methods in 2026
When filing by mail (paper):
| Method | Form Required |
|---|---|
| Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AmEx) | Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions |
| Debit card or prepaid card | Form G-1450 |
| ACH bank debit (U.S. bank account only) | Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions |
When filing online (myUSCIS):
- Credit card, debit card, or prepaid card via Pay.gov
- ACH bank transfer via Pay.gov
Tips to Avoid Payment Rejection
- One payment per form. USCIS requires separate payments for each form in a multi-form package. Do not combine a single payment for I-130 and I-485. Submitting a combined payment may result in rejection of the entire package.
- Notify your bank. Immigration filing fees can be large; let your bank know to prevent a “declined” flag on the transaction.
- U.S. bank accounts only. ACH payments must be drawn from a U.S.-based financial institution in U.S. currency.
- Credit card disputes are not allowed. Per USCIS rules, fees paid by credit card are not subject to dispute, chargeback, or forced return to the cardholder except at USCIS discretion.
One Fee Per Person: The Multiple-Filing Rule
A separate Form I-130 and a separate filing fee must be submitted for each family member you are petitioning. If you are a U.S. citizen sponsoring a spouse and two children, that means:
- 3 separate I-130 petitions
- 3 separate fees ($625 × 3 = $1,875 if filed online, or $675 × 3 = $2,025 if filed by paper)
There are no bundle discounts. This rule applies whether the beneficiaries are immediate relatives (spouse, unmarried children under 21, parents of U.S. citizens) or family preference category relatives.
Can the I-130 Fee Be Waived?
For most petitioners, no. The I-130 filing fee cannot be waived for standard family petitions — including U.S. citizens sponsoring a spouse, children, or parents, and lawful permanent residents sponsoring family members.
The USCIS fee schedule (G-1055) does note that “certain applicants may be eligible for a fee waiver” on I-130. This causes confusion. Under 8 CFR § 106.3(a)(3)(iii), this exception applies only to:
- VAWA self-petitioners (victims of domestic violence self-petitioning under the Violence Against Women Act)
- T visa applicants (victims of human trafficking)
- U visa applicants (victims of qualifying crimes)
If you are sponsoring a family member through the standard family-based process, you cannot use Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver) to waive the I-130 fee. Even if you meet low-income thresholds, the I-130 is not on the list of forms eligible for income-based fee waivers for general filers.
To understand who qualifies and how it works, learn more about USCIS fee waiver guidelines.
Understanding the Total Cost Beyond Form I-130
The Form I-130 filing fee is only the cost of the family petition stage. Additional government fees depend on how the beneficiary completes the Green Card process.
If the beneficiary applies through Adjustment of Status, separate fees may apply for Form I-485 and other forms filed with it.
If the beneficiary completes immigrant visa processing abroad, Department of State visa fees and the USCIS Immigrant Fee may apply.
Medical examinations, translations, and civil documents can also create additional costs, but those amounts vary by provider and case.
For the full cost breakdown, see our Green Card Cost guide. For Adjustment of Status fees specifically, see our Form I-485 Filing Fee guide.
What Happens If You Pay the Wrong Fee?
Paying the wrong fee or using an incorrect payment method is one of the most common reasons applications are rejected. When this happens, USCIS does not process your petition. Instead, they return your entire application package.
You will then need to correct the issue and resubmit everything, including a new payment. This can delay your case by several weeks or even months. Because of this, it is important to double-check both the fee amount and the payment method before submitting your application.
Applicants should also carefully review the supporting evidence required for their petition. Missing relationship documents or identity records can also delay or reject a Form I-130 filing. See the complete Form I-130 documents guide.
Common Mistakes That Lead to Rejection
Before submitting Form I-130, check for these common payment problems:
- Paying the wrong amount — the current fee is $625 online or $675 by paper.
- Sending a check or money order without qualifying for a paper-payment exemption.
- Using the wrong payment authorization form or leaving required payment information incomplete.
- Combining payments for multiple forms when USCIS requires separate payments.
- Failing to make sure a card or ACH transaction can be processed successfully.
Check the current USCIS Fee Schedule and payment instructions immediately before filing.
FAQs About Form I-130 Fees
Can someone else use their credit card to pay my paper Form I-130 filing fee?
Yes. Form G-1450 separately asks for the petitioner’s information and the credit card holder’s information. The cardholder must properly authorize the payment, and the card must meet USCIS payment requirements, including being issued by a U.S. bank.
Can I split the Form I-130 fee between a credit card and ACH payment?
No. USCIS does not permit splitting one benefit-request payment between Form G-1450 and Form G-1650. Submit the full required fee using one accepted payment method and follow the current USCIS payment instructions.
What happens if my credit card or ACH payment is declined?
USCIS may reject the Form I-130 filing for lack of payment if the transaction is declined. USCIS states that it does not retry a declined credit card payment, so confirm that sufficient funds and authorization are available before filing.
Ready to Prepare Form I-130?
Now that you know the current Form I-130 filing fee, ImmigrationDirect can help you check eligibility based on your answers and prepare the petition with guided questions.
The service helps organize your information and review responses for missing or inconsistent details before filing.
ImmigrationDirect is not USCIS. USCIS determines eligibility and approval. Government filing fees are paid separately.
