How Much Do You Need to Invest in the U.S. for a Green Card and Citizenship?

The United States is considered one of the most immigrant-friendly countries, especially for Vietnamese nationals. However, preparing to move to the U.S. requires a lot of preparation, from documentation and procedures to various fees.

So, how much money is needed for U.S. immigration? Besides the mandatory fees, what additional costs are there?

In this article, ImmiPath will provide an overview of the financial aspects of settling in the U.S. Check it out now!

1. How Much Does It Cost to Immigrate to the U.S.?

The cost of immigrating to the U.S. depends on the type of immigration path you choose. Currently, there are 4 popular immigration methods:

1.1 Cost of Immigrating to the U.S. Through Study

Studying abroad is a valuable method for Vietnamese youth to make their American dream a reality. After completing your studies, the cost to settle in the U.S. will depend on the type of visa and the tuition fees for 4 years in public universities, which range from $9,650 to $24,930 per year.

To settle in the U.S. after studying, students need to apply for a change from a non-immigrant visa to an immigrant visa to have a chance at obtaining a green card and maintaining long-term residency in the U.S. Monthly living expenses while studying and settling in the U.S. can increase significantly, especially depending on the specific state you choose to live in.

There are several options for international students who want to settle in the U.S., such as transitioning from a J1 or F1 visa (student visa) to an H-1B visa (work visa) to live and work in the U.S.

In addition, marrying a permanent resident or U.S. citizen is another option to transition to an immigrant visa and obtain a green card. However, it is crucial to avoid fake marriages solely for obtaining a green card, as this can result in serious consequences if detected, including the risk of arrest, deportation, and permanent denial of U.S. residency.

Studying abroad not only provides academic opportunities but also serves as a useful method to get closer to the dream of settling in the U.S.

1.2 Cost of Immigrating to the U.S. Through Employment-Based Immigration

Immigrating to the U.S. through employment-based visas is becoming an increasingly popular option. To obtain a green card through employment, employees must have a labor certification from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to apply for EB-1, EB-2, or EB-3 visas.

The labor certification informs USCIS that the company has made efforts to recruit a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, but could not find a suitable candidate due to reasons such as difficulty in finding someone with the required skills or unwillingness to accept the job.

Note that individuals moving to the U.S. on immigrant visas must pay additional fees to obtain legal permanent resident (LPR) status.

When your green card expires, you will need to file Form I-90 to renew it and pay any applicable fees.

To obtain a green card, you will need to pay various fees depending on the stage of the application and the type of immigration visa you are applying for.

For employment-based visas, the initial costs include completing paperwork, personal documentation, and certification exams. Additionally, there are stringent requirements regarding language, skills, and experience.

When settling in the U.S., you will also incur various costs, such as rent, living expenses, and other related costs.

The average rent ranges from $2,000 to $3,000 per month. To obtain a green card through an employment-based visa, especially EB-3, seeking advice from a reputable and experienced immigration center is crucial.

1.3 Cost of Immigrating to the U.S. Through Investment?

Immigrating to the U.S. through the EB-5 investment visa is designed for individuals with substantial financial resources, as it requires a significant investment in the U.S. economy.

For example, in the EB-5 program, investors must meet a minimum investment requirement of $1,050,000, or $800,000 if investing in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), which is a region of the U.S. that focuses on job creation. In return, investors receive a green card and can settle in the U.S. permanently.

In addition to the investment amount, investors also need to cover various other fees such as application fees, visa fees, and legal costs. Upon arriving in the U.S., investors will face additional monthly expenses including utilities, food, and other services.

1.4 Cost of Immigrating to the U.S. Through Family Sponsorship

Immigrating to the U.S. through family sponsorship is one of the most common ways to obtain a green card and U.S. citizenship. The costs and paperwork can vary depending on the specific type of sponsorship.

Please refer to the current family sponsorship options for immigrating to the U.S.:

Visa Type	Object	Waiting Time
IR-1/ CR-1	Spouse of a U.S. citizen who is legally married The sponsor must be 18 years or older and residing in the U.S. IR-1: U.S. citizen married for more than 2 years CR-1: U.S. citizen married for less than 2 years	12-18 months
IR-2/ CR-2	IR-2: Child of a U.S. citizen, unmarried, under 21 years old CR-2: Stepchild of a U.S. citizen, unmarried, under 21 years old	14 months
IR-3/ IH-3	Adopted child of a U.S. citizen (adopted outside the U.S.)	1-2 years
IR-4/ IH-4	Adopted child of a U.S. citizen (adopted in the U.S.)	1-2 years
IR-5	Parent (biological or step) of a U.S. citizen Step-parents are eligible only if their marriage to the biological parent of the sponsor occurred before the sponsor turned 18	1-2 years
K-1	Fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen (same-sex or opposite-sex)	6-12 months
F-1	Unmarried child of a U.S. citizen, over 21 years old	6-7 years
F2-A	Spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old of a U.S. permanent resident The petition can include both the spouse and children of the permanent resident	2-3 years
F2-B	Unmarried child over 21 years old of a U.S. permanent resident	5-7 years
F-3	Married children of U.S. citizens	12-13 years
F-4	Siblings of U.S. citizens Spouses and unmarried children under 21 years old of the applicant can also apply for immigrant visas under the applicant’s petition	13-14 years

The cost to sponsor family members, spouses of permanent residents, or U.S. citizens can range around $1,760. The actual cost depends on the number of family members, as well as the procedures, paperwork, and attorney fees.

In some cases, the sponsor will cover all the expenses to bring their relatives to the U.S. However, in other cases, the relatives may be asked to cover the immigration costs themselves.

Please refer to the detailed summary table of fees for various U.S. immigration categories:

Form Required	Fee	Visa Type
Form I-129F for Fiancé(e) of a U.S. Citizen	$535	K-1 Visa for foreign fiancé(e)
Form I-130 for Family Sponsorship	$535	K-3 Visa for a spouse of a U.S. citizen F-1 Visa for the unmarried child of a U.S. citizen F-2A Visa for spouse and minor children of a U.S. permanent resident (LPR) F-2B Visa for unmarried child over 21 years old of LPRs F-3 Visa for married child of a U.S. citizen F-4 Visa for siblings of a U.S. citizen IR-1 Visa for a spouse of a U.S. citizen IR-2 Visa for an unmarried child under 21 years old of a U.S. citizen IR-5 Visa for the parents of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old
Form I-140 for Employment-Based Immigration	$700	EB-1 Visa for priority workers or high-skilled professionals EB-2 Visa for professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities EB-3 Visa for skilled workers with more than 2 years of experience
Form I-360 for Widow(er) or Special Immigrant	$435	EB-4 visa for various religious/ government/ international organization workers
Form I-526 for Immigrant Investor	$3,675	EB-5 Visa for investors in the U.S.
Form I-600 / I-600A for Orphan Classification as Immediate Relative	$775	IR-3 Visa for children from non-Hague countries adopted abroad by U.S. citizens IR-4 Visa for children from Hague countries adopted within the U.S. by U.S. citizens

2. Summary of Common U.S. Immigration Costs

2.1 Fees for USCIS Forms

Depending on the type of immigration you choose, the fees for submitting the corresponding application forms to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) vary. Non-immigrant visa applications are generally cheaper than immigrant visa applications.

You might choose to first apply for non-immigrant status and then switch to an immigrant application later. The USCIS website provides an automated fee calculator to help you estimate the amount you need to pay.

For example, if you are sponsoring a relative and submitting Form I-130, the fee is $535 per application. If you are applying for an immigrant visa for a foreign national, you need to complete Form I-526, which costs around $3,000.

ImmiPath invites you to review the immigration costs when submitting applications to USCIS:

Fee Type	For Applicants Residing in the U.S.	For Applicants Residing Abroad
Family Sponsorship Form (I-130)	$535	$535
Green Card Application (I-485) for AOS	$1,140	N/A
Affidavit of Support (I-864)	$0	$120
Biometrics (Fingerprinting & Photo)	$85	$0
Department of State Processing Fee	N/A	$325
USCIS Immigration Fee	N/A	$220
Medical Examination	Varies	Varies
Total	$1,760	$1,200

2.2 Petition Fees

Most immigration categories to the U.S. require petition fees, and each category has different costs. Refugees are not subject to this fee.

For example, the petition fee for fiancé(e) or parent sponsorship is as low as $535.

Fees for adjusting status to permanent residency or for immigration applications within the U.S. are typically over $1,000. The highest fee is for the immigrant investor application, costing $3,675 per person.

2.3 Costs for U.S. Immigration Consulting and Attorney Services

An experienced immigration consultancy or attorney can assist you with the immigration process, including preparing documentation, providing the latest immigration information, minimizing errors in the petition process, and shortening processing times.

The fees for immigration consulting centers or attorneys typically range from $5,000 to $10,000. For investment-based immigration, costs can rise to $30,000 or more. Appeals or litigation can cost between $1,000 and $2,000.

All U.S. immigration applications must undergo a health check and vaccinations before entering the U.S. The average cost for vaccinations and a general health check-up typically ranges from $800 to $1,000.

2.4 Costs for U.S. Citizenship after Immigration

The cost of U.S. citizenship is a topic of interest for many Vietnamese after obtaining a green card. The current fee for U.S. citizenship is $725, which includes $640 for the application processing and $85 for biometrics. Applicants under 14 years old and over 70 years old are exempt from the biometrics fee.

In addition, the cost of obtaining U.S. citizenship can also depend on other expenses, such as preparation for the citizenship test, including attending training classes.

3. How Much Money Can Vietnamese Immigrants Bring to the U.S.?

Many individuals seeking advice from ImmiPath about U.S. immigration often ask, “How much cash can I bring when moving to the U.S.?”

According to the regulations from the Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam, under Article 11 regarding the transfer and carrying of foreign currency abroad for Vietnamese citizens, the maximum amount is up to $10,000 per year.

If you wish to bring more than $50,000, you must prove that this money is intended for living expenses. The remaining amount must be transferred gradually to the U.S. and must be used within the specified 12-year period. You can bring a maximum of $10,000 in cash to the U.S. for immigration purposes.

In addition to cash, you can also bring gold, but you must declare it to customs if it weighs less than 300 grams. If it exceeds 1 kilogram, you need to obtain a permit from your local bank and include it in your financial immigration documents. This includes the application to bring foreign currency abroad (to the U.S.), a copy of your passport, and a notarized translation signed and stamped by the competent authority.

See more: Transferring Money to the U.S. for Immigration

4. How Much Money is Needed for a Comfortable Life in the U.S.?

In addition to determining how much money you need to move to the U.S., newcomers should also plan their income and expenses carefully to maintain a stable life.

The key question is how much money is necessary for a comfortable life in the U.S., a topic that concerns many people about to start their immigration journey. The minimum wage varies by state but averages around $10 per hour. Working overtime can increase the wage to $11-13 per hour, with a maximum of 40 hours per week.

With this wage, the monthly income would be around $1,600, but after taxes, it would be approximately $1,000. This amount might only cover monthly expenses. To increase income, one might consider taking an additional job or working extra hours. For example, working additional hours could result in earning $160 per day, totaling about $4,800 per month.

However, it is important to note that higher income comes with increased labor, which can affect health and family time. To achieve a stable income while having time for family, investing in education and personal development to secure a job that offers both manageable hours and a good income is crucial.

Additionally, consider other expenses when moving to the U.S., such as living costs, transportation, and other utility costs like entertainment and shopping, depending on personal needs and preferences.

5. What Things Should You Note When Moving to the U.S.?

After receiving your visa and relocating to the U.S., there are a few important points to ensure you start your new life in the land of opportunity smoothly.

Flight Ticket: Prices range from $400 to $600 depending on the timing and duration of the flight. To get the best fare, it’s advisable to book your ticket 1 to 2 months in advance.

Packing: Bring essential items for your new life in the U.S. Be sure to review the airline’s regulations regarding what can and cannot be brought on board, as well as luggage weight limits. Typically, checked luggage is allowed up to 46 kg, and carry-on luggage up to 7 kg.

Upon Arrival in the U.S.: At the airport, you will need to fill out a customs declaration form provided by the customs officers. They will stamp your form and ask about your travel plans and the purpose of your visit. Stay calm and answer all questions accurately, just as you did during your visa interview.

6. Frequently Asked Questions About U.S. Immigration Costs

6.1. What is the consular processing fee for a family-based green card?

If the beneficiary is outside the U.S., after the I-130 petition is approved by USCIS, they will need to apply for an immigrant visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. This is known as consular processing.

Like other immigration processes, this one involves certain fees. As of 2023, the fee for an immigrant visa application for a family-based green card is $325. Adding the $535 fee for Form I-130, the total amount comes to $860. Additionally, you should account for other costs such as medical exams, travel expenses to and from the embassy, document copies, and so on.

6.2. How should I make payments for U.S. immigration fees?

USCIS provides specific instructions for paying application fees. While some fees can be paid online (such as Form I-131A), most must be paid by mail or in person.

USCIS accepts cashier’s checks, personal checks, money orders, and bank drafts. Each fee must be paid in a separate payment, so avoid combining fees into one large payment.

If you choose to pay in person at a USCIS field office, you can use your credit card.

Since payment requirements may vary depending on your nationality and specific forms, you can contact ImmiPath for more detailed information on how to make these payments.

When starting your U.S. immigration application, make sure to refer to the fees specified by USCIS.

6.3. Can I be exempt from the green card fees based on my family status?

You may be eligible for a fee waiver if you meet certain criteria. USCIS allows fee waivers for certain immigration applications, including family-based green cards. To qualify for a fee waiver, you must demonstrate that you cannot pay the application fee for one of the following reasons:

• Your household’s total annual income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
• You are currently experiencing financial hardship, such as unemployment or significant medical expenses.

Please note that not all green card forms offer a fee waiver option. You can only request a fee waiver for Form I-485 and the biometric services fee. To apply for a fee waiver, you need to submit Form I-129 along with evidence showing you meet the eligibility requirements.

6.4. What are the fees for applying for U.S. citizenship after obtaining a family-based green card?

If you wish to become a U.S. citizen after receiving your green card, you will need to follow a specific process and pay certain fees. If you are the spouse of a U.S. citizen, you may apply for citizenship after three years of being a lawful permanent resident.

If your green card was sponsored by a lawful permanent resident, you will need to wait five years before applying. In both cases, the fees for transitioning from a family-based green card holder to U.S. citizenship are as follows:

• Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization): $640
• Biometric Services Fee: $85

A noteworthy aspect of the naturalization fee is that you may be eligible for a fee waiver or reduction if you cannot afford the fee. 

As with most cases, you must meet specific eligibility criteria to qualify for a reduced or waived fee. Additionally, if you are over 74 years old, you are exempt from the biometric services fee, reducing the total cost to $640.

6.5. What are the costs of applying for an EB-3 work visa?

The cost of applying for an EB-3 work visa typically ranges from $25,000 to $50,000. The processing time for this visa is relatively shorter, usually around 1.5 to 2 years. However, it’s crucial to carefully choose a reputable immigration consultancy and an experienced attorney when applying for an EB-3 visa. ImmiPath is a recommended option for such services.

7. How Do You Obtain U.S. Immigration Visas as Quickly as Possible?

As discussed by ImmiPath, U.S. immigration categories, such as family sponsorship, spouse reunification, EB-3 employment-based immigration, and EB-5 investment immigration, have varying processing times.

To ensure a smooth process, timely payment of fees, and a successful interview with a consular officer, it’s crucial to engage a reputable and high-quality immigration consultancy. Missing necessary documents or providing insufficient evidence can lead to delays or rejection of your application.

ImmiPath is honored to assist you in conquering your U.S. immigration dreams.

If you have any questions about the costs of U.S. immigration or need further assistance, please comment below. The ImmiPath advisory team will support you with the expertise and dedication to making your U.S. immigration dream a reality.