Beyond Border supports EB-1A extraordinary ability and EB-1C multinational executive green card petitions in 2026 with a 98% approval rate and transparent cost guidance from the first engagement. The total cost of an EB-1 green card has two distinct components: USCIS government fees paid directly to USCIS, and service fees paid to the immigration firm handling the petition. This guide covers every government fee in the EB-1 process for 2026, the factors driving cost variation, and what to budget for before you begin.
In 2026, the core USCIS fees for an EB-1 petition are Form I-140 at $715, an Asylum Programme fee of $300 for self-petitioners or $600 for large employers, and Form I-485 at $1,440 for adjustment of status. Premium processing adds $2,965. All fees are paid directly to USCIS, separate from any immigration firm service fees.
The process has two main stages: the I-140 immigrant petition and the I-485 adjustment of status for applicants inside the United States.
Stage 1, Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition):
Stage 2, Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status, inside the U.S.):
For applicants completing the process through consular processing outside the United States, the DS-260 immigrant visa fee of $325 is paid to the State Department; Form I-485, I-765, and I-131 do not apply in that scenario.
Use the Beyond Border USCIS Fee Calculator to estimate your total before you begin.
For a self-petitioned EB-1A with adjustment of status inside the United States, the total USCIS government cost is approximately $3,345 without premium processing and $6,310 with premium processing. This covers I-140, Asylum Programme fee, I-485, EAD, and Advance Parole, all paid directly to USCIS, not to the immigration firm.
The full breakdown:
Without premium processing:
With premium processing:
Premium processing reduces I-140 adjudication from several months to 15 business days. For most EB-1A applicants managing visa expiry timelines, concurrent I-485 filing windows, or priority date strategy, the $2,965 premium processing fee is strategically justified.
Start your EB-1A petition with Beyond Border →
The EB-1C multinational executive pathway carries the same I-140 fee of $715 and I-485 fee of $1,440 as EB-1A. The key difference is the Asylum Programme fee, $600 for large employers (26+ FTE) versus $300 for small employers. EB-1C is also employer-filed rather than self-petitioned, which changes who pays each fee.
For EB-1C petitions filed by large employers with 26 or more full-time equivalent employees, the Asylum Programme fee is $600 rather than $300. Because EB-1C petitions are employer-filed, the employer typically bears the I-140 costs, while the employee bears the I-485, I-765, and I-131 costs, though this is an arrangement between the employer and the employee and not a USCIS requirement.
Premium processing is available for EB-1C I-140 petitions at the same $2,965 fee and the same 15-business-day guarantee. For large employers with active EB-1C programmes, premium processing is typically the default given the business sensitivity of executive transfer timelines.
Explore Beyond Border's EB-1 for executives page for full guidance on the EB-1C pathway and cost structure.
Yes, for most EB-1 applicants, premium processing at $2,965 is worth the cost. It cuts the I-140 decision from several months to 15 business days, enabling earlier I-485 filing, faster EAD access, and cleaner visa expiry management. The time savings consistently justify the fee for applicants with active employment or travel timelines.
The specific downstream benefits:
The one scenario where premium processing adds limited immediate operational value is for Indian-born EB-1A applicants facing a 3+ year priority date backlog, where I-485 cannot be filed regardless. Even in that case, locking in the earliest priority date has long-term value.
Beyond fixed USCIS fees, the total EB-1 cost is driven by two variables: the immigration firm's service fee and the depth of evidence preparation required. Beyond Border's service fee for an EB-1 petition is $10,000, covering the full process from eligibility assessment through to USCIS decision. Other firms vary by scope and model.
For researchers and scientists, see Beyond Borders' EB-1 for Researchers for guidance on how evidence preparation maps to the EB-1A process.
For EB-1 applicants completing permanent residence through consular processing outside the United States, the main government fee is the $325 DS-260 immigrant visa application fee, paid to the State Department. Forms I-485, I-765, and I-131 do not apply, making consular processing significantly less expensive in government fees than adjustment of status.
The full consular processing fee breakdown:
For most applicants already in the United States on valid nonimmigrant status, adjustment of status through I-485 is the preferred route, which allows the applicant to remain in the U.S. throughout, apply for EAD and Advance Parole concurrently, and avoid the consular scheduling wait. Check USCIS processing times for current I-485 service centre estimates.
Beyond Border specializes exclusively in high-skilled U.S. employment-based immigration, with a structured process for EB-1A and EB-1C green card petitions, a 98% approval rate, and a client base spanning professionals from Salesforce, Google, Yelp, Chime, Visa, and Mastercard.
Form I-140 costs $715. Self-petitioners also pay a $300 Asylum Programme fee. Large employers (26+ employees) pay $600 instead. These are mandatory government fees paid directly to USCIS.
Premium processing via Form I-907 costs $2,965 effective March 1, 2026. It guarantees a USCIS decision on the I-140 within 15 business days and is optional but widely recommended.
Form I-485 costs $1,440 and includes biometrics. If needed, EAD (Form I-765) adds $260, and Advance Parole (Form I-131) adds $630 to your total government fees.
For a self-petitioned EB-1A with adjustment of status inside the U.S., total USCIS government fees come to approximately $3,345, covering I-140, Asylum Programme fee, I-485, EAD, and Advance Parole.
No. All USCIS filing fees are non-refundable regardless of the petition outcome. This makes petition quality at filing the most important cost control in the EB-1 process.
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