EB-2 NIW Cost (2026): Every Fee, Government and Legal
Updated September 2026 · Reviewed by Talia Harari, Attorney · About 7 min read
Plan on roughly $1,000 in government fees for the NIW petition itself, $2,805 more if you want premium processing, $1,440 per adult at the green card step, and $5,000 to $10,000 in attorney fees. A realistic all-in total for one applicant: about $8,000 to $15,000.
Key takeaways
- Petition fees: $715 I-140 + $300 program fee for most self-petitioners.
- Premium processing $2,805, optional, for a 45-business-day decision.
- Green card step: $1,440 per adult (I-485 inside the U.S.).
- Attorney fees $5,000-$10,000; realistic total $8,000-$15,000.
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Government fees for the I-140 petition
| I-140 filing fee | $715 |
| Asylum Program Fee | $300 for most self-petitioners |
| Premium processing (optional) | $2,805 for a 45-business-day decision |
The green card step and family
After the petition and your priority date, the final step has its own fees: adjustment of status (Form I-485) is $1,440 per adult inside the U.S., or consular processing fees abroad. Each family member pays their own final-step fees, which is where family budgets grow.
Attorney fees and the realistic total
Full-service NIW attorney fees typically run $5,000 to $10,000, with complex or rush cases above that. Add translations, evaluations of foreign degrees, and courier costs, and a realistic single-applicant total lands around $8,000 to $15,000 through the green card, before premium processing. Compared with the EB-5’s $800,000+ investment, the NIW is the budget path to a self-sponsored green card; the full guide covers where the money goes.
Frequently asked questions
Is premium processing worth $2,805 for the NIW?
Often yes for planning purposes: a 45-business-day decision tells you quickly whether to lean on this path or pivot, and speeds nothing else, the visa bulletin queue still applies.
Are NIW attorney fees paid all at once?
Most firms bill in stages: a portion at engagement, the rest at filing milestones. Do-it-yourself filings save fees but the three-prong argument is where cases are won and lost.
Does my spouse add much cost?
At the petition stage, no, the I-140 covers you. At the green card step each family member pays their own I-485 or consular fees.
Related: the complete NIW guide, current NIW timelines, and the requirements.
IAVRS is an immigration attorney matching service, not a law firm. This guide is general information, not legal advice, and figures are approximate. For advice on your specific case, we will match you with a licensed U.S. immigration attorney.