EB-3 Costs in 2026: How Much Money Do You Need to Immigrate?

Cost is one of the top concerns when people look into the EB-3 immigration program. What fees should you prepare for? Which ones does the worker pay, and which are covered by the sponsoring business?

In this article, Global Immigration Group explains the EB-3 cost structure, from case fees and government charges to medical examinations and preparing for life in the United States, so that you can make a suitable financial plan.

What do EB-3 costs include?

EB-3 costs usually include service fees, government fees, the medical examination, the visa application and preparations before leaving for the United States. The actual total depends on each case and the number of accompanying family members.

Workers usually need to budget for the following main groups of costs:

• EB-3 consulting and case processing costs
• Filing fees and charges set by the US government
• Medical examination and required vaccinations
• Interview and immigrant visa costs
• Airfare and settling-in costs for the first period in the United States
• Other incidental costs (translation, notarization, additional documents and so on)

Learning about the necessary fees in advance helps workers build a financial plan and limit unexpected costs as they prepare an EB-3 case.

EB-3 visa costs in 2026

Mandatory government fees and procedures for an EB-3 visa

EB-3 participants need to prepare for certain fees set by the US authorities. Depending on the stage of the case, some fees are paid by the sponsoring business, while others are the applicant’s responsibility.

1. PERM labor certification costs

PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) is the first step in the EB-3 visa process, showing that the US business has recruited but could not find a US worker who meets the job requirements.

Under current rules, costs related to the PERM labor certification process, including recruitment costs and attorney fees (if any), are generally paid by the sponsoring business and may not be passed on to the worker.

2. I-140 petition filing fee

After the PERM labor certification is approved, the sponsoring business files Form I-140 to petition for the worker under EB-3.

As of 2026, the I-140 filing fee is:

• USD 665 if filed online
• USD 715 if filed on paper

In some cases, the business may choose Premium Processing for a fee of USD 2,965, which shortens processing to about 15 business days.

3. Immigrant visa processing fees

When the case moves to the National Visa Center (NVC) and the US consular post for further processing, each applicant will need to pay:

• USD 325 Immigrant Visa Application Processing Fee
• USD 235 USCIS Immigrant Fee, paid before entering the United States so that the immigration authorities can produce and mail the physical green card to your US address.

Because fees set by the US authorities may change over time, workers should check the latest information before filing or consult an advisory firm in order to budget appropriately.

Medical examination and vaccination costs

A medical examination is mandatory for all EB-3 immigrant visa applicants before the interview at the consular post.

In Vietnam, applicants must be examined at designated medical facilities. The cost depends on age, vaccination history and the number of vaccines needed.

Workers may typically need to prepare for:

• The US immigration medical examination
• Chest X-ray and blood tests (if applicable)
• Additional vaccines required by the US immigration authorities

For applicants without a complete vaccination history, vaccine costs can be significant. Having a vaccination book or confirmation of earlier vaccines ready can help reduce this cost.

Based on the experience of many applicants, the total cost of the medical examination and vaccinations usually ranges from about VND 5 to 15 million per person, depending on the number of vaccines needed and the facility chosen.

Consulting and EB-3 case processing service costs

Besides fees set by the US government, many workers choose an immigration advisory service to help them prepare and process an EB-3 case.

Service costs may differ depending on the provider, the type of EB-3 case and the scope of support. Some firms only help complete the file, while others may support the whole journey from eligibility assessment and finding a sponsoring business to receiving the immigrant visa.

EB-3 case processing services may typically include:

• Assessing eligibility for the EB-3 program
• Advising on a suitable position
• Guiding the preparation of personal documents and evidence of work experience
• Helping with translation, notarization and completing the file
• Tracking case progress and supporting you through the visa interview

Workers should look carefully at the scope of services, the payment schedule and the contract terms before choosing an advisory firm. Working with an experienced firm with a transparent process, such as Global Immigration Group, helps limit risk and unnecessary costs during the EB-3 program.

Frequently asked questions about EB-3 visa costs

Are EB-3 costs refundable?

Refund policies depend on the agreement between the worker and the advisory firm. Fees paid to the US authorities are generally not refunded once the case has been accepted for processing.

Can EB-3 costs be paid in stages?

Many advisory firms now accept payment by case stage. Workers should look carefully at the payment schedule and related terms before signing a contract.

Do EB-3 costs include airfare?

Generally, the cost of the EB-3 program does not include airfare to the United States. Workers need to budget for travel and settling in after arrival.

Besides case costs, how much money should I prepare for settling in the United States?

This depends on where you will live, the number of family members and your personal spending. To be financially prepared, many families set aside a reserve sufficient for at least the first 2 to 3 months of living in the United States.

If you are considering the EB-3 program and want advice on a pathway suited to your case, contact Global Immigration Group. Our team is ready to review your case, answer questions about costs and support you at every step of your US immigration plan.

Updated November 2, 2026. This content is for reference only and is not legal advice for any individual case.