What an EB-2 Case Usually Costs
#EB-2 cost is not one filing fee. Most applicants need to think about the case as a sequence of costs across the petition stage and the final permanent-residence stage.
That matters because people often quote one number for EB-2 when the real budget depends on how the case is structured and which later filings become part of the path.
Core Government Filing Fees
#The current EB-2 visa entry already includes these main government fee figures:
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Filing fee (I-140) | $715 | Main immigrant petition filing fee |
| Premium processing (optional) | $2,805 | Optional faster review where used |
| Filing fee (I-485) | $1,440 | Listed in the current pack as including the filing fee plus USCIS immigrant fee context |
| Biometrics | Included | The separate $85 biometrics fee was eliminated in the April 2024 USCIS fee rule and is now included in base filing fees |
For standard EB-2 cases (not NIW), the employer must first complete a PERM labor certification through the Department of Labor before the I-140 can be filed. The PERM process itself has no government filing fee, but the employer typically spends $5,000 to $15,000 or more on required recruitment advertising, prevailing wage determination, and legal support to prepare and file the application. These costs are borne by the employer and cannot legally be passed to the worker.
After the I-140 is approved, additional costs arise depending on whether the applicant adjusts status in the U.S. or goes through consular processing abroad. Consular processing requires a DS-260 immigrant visa application fee of $325 and a medical examination that typically costs $200 to $500 depending on the physician and location. Applicants adjusting status in the U.S. also need a medical exam (Form I-693). After the immigrant visa is issued or adjustment is approved, USCIS charges a $220 USCIS Immigrant Fee for processing the green card itself.
This is why EB-2 cost usually needs to be discussed by stage rather than as one blended total. The petition filing and the final permanent-residence stage are related, but they are not the same budget event.
Why Stage-Based Budgeting Matters
#A useful EB-2 budget often separates:
- PERM labor certification costs (standard EB-2 only — includes recruitment, prevailing wage, and legal fees)
- petition-stage I-140 filing costs and optional premium processing
- final permanent-residence stage costs (I-485 adjustment or DS-260 consular processing, medical exam, USCIS Immigrant Fee)
- any professional support, credential evaluation, or documentation costs outside the government fee schedule
That split makes the case easier to plan because not every EB-2 applicant reaches each cost stage at the same time. A NIW applicant, for example, skips the PERM stage entirely, which can eliminate thousands of dollars in employer-side costs but may increase legal costs for building the self-petition case.
The same is true for NIW versus standard EB-2 strategy. The total path may overlap, but the budget logic is often clearer when the case is broken into phases.
What Usually Raises the Total
#The biggest EB-2 budget drivers beyond the basic filing fees are:
- premium processing if the applicant or petitioner wants faster movement at the petition stage
- the final green-card stage costs once the case moves beyond the petition itself
- professional support and evidence preparation costs for a more complex case theory
- case structure choices that make the path longer or more document-heavy
That is why a shallow answer like "EB-2 costs $715" is usually not very useful. It describes one fee line, not the practical cost of the case.
Budget Mistakes to Avoid
#The most common EB-2 budgeting mistakes are:
- quoting only the I-140 filing fee
- forgetting the later permanent-residence stage costs
- treating premium processing like a default cost rather than an option
- assuming NIW and standard EB-2 always budget the same way
The cleaner approach is to budget EB-2 by phase rather than by one headline number.
FAQs
What is the main EB-2 petition filing fee?
The current EB-2 visa entry lists the I-140 filing fee at $715.
Does EB-2 usually involve more than one major government fee?
Yes. The petition stage and the later permanent-residence stage often involve different government costs, so the full budget is usually larger than one filing fee.
Is premium processing part of standard EB-2 cost?
No. Premium processing is optional and should be treated as an extra cost rather than as part of the default EB-2 baseline.
Why is stage-based budgeting useful for EB-2?
Because petition-stage cost and later green-card-stage cost are different parts of the case and should be planned separately.
What is the biggest EB-2 cost misconception?
A common misconception is that the I-140 filing fee alone describes the real cost of an EB-2 case.
Official sources referenced
Last reviewed: March 14, 2026
VisaMind provides informational guidance only and is not a government agency. This is not legal advice. Requirements can change and eligibility depends on your specific facts. If your case is complex or high-stakes, consult a licensed immigration attorney.
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