What is the USCIS filing fee for the EB-1A in 2026?

The USCIS Form I-140 filing fee for the EB-1A is $715 in 2026. Premium processing, which guarantees a USCIS decision within 15 business days, costs an additional $2,805 — for a total of $3,520 if you file with premium processing.

How much do EB-1A attorneys charge in 2026?

Immigration attorneys typically charge between $12,000 and $25,000 to prepare an EB-1A petition. The fee depends on the complexity of the case, the number of evidence exhibits, and whether the attorney handles recommender outreach. Flat-fee arrangements are most common.

Can I save money by self-filing the EB-1A?

Yes. Self-filing saves the attorney fee, which is usually the largest single cost. The trade-off is time: assembling a filing-ready EB-1A petition takes roughly four months of focused work on top of your day job. Most self-filers still retain an attorney for a final review at a flat fee of $1,500 to $3,000.

Are there extra USCIS fees after I-140 approval?

Yes. After I-140 approval you must file either Form I-485 (adjustment of status, $1,440 in 2026) if you are inside the United States, or pay the consular processing fee ($345) plus an Affidavit of Support fee if you are outside the United States. You will also pay a USCIS Immigrant Fee of $235 after immigrant visa issuance.

EB-1A Guide · Last reviewed 2026-06-19

How much does an EB-1A (Einstein Visa) petition cost in 2026?

A self-filed EB-1A costs $715 in USCIS fees (or $3,520 with premium processing). With an immigration attorney, expect $12,000 to $25,000 in total. Self-filing saves the attorney fee but takes roughly four months of full-time work to assemble a filing-ready brief and exhibit binder.

Want the process first? Read the step-by-step EB-1A guide. Or review the 10 EB-1A criteria.

USCIS filing fees

Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker)$715

Asylum Program Fee — waived for EB-1A self-petitioners$0

Premium Processing (Form I-907, optional: 15 business day decision)$2,805

Biometrics — not required for I-140; included with later I-485$0

USCIS waives the Asylum Program Fee for petitions filed by the beneficiary (EB-1A extraordinary ability self-petitions and EB-2 NIW). A self-petitioner pays only the $715 I-140 fee for regular processing, or $3,520 if they add Form I-907 premium processing for a faster decision.

EB-1A attorney fees

EB-1A attorneys charge a flat fee for case preparation. Pricing in 2026 starts around $12,000 and climbs based on case complexity, firm reputation, and how much evidence work the petitioner does themselves.

Boutique firms ($12,000 to $15,000): one or two senior partners, often former USCIS examiners. You get partner-level attention end to end.
Large immigration firms ($18,000 to $25,000): paralegal-heavy, structured intake, name recognition. Premium for visibility and capacity.
Self-petition (pro se): $0 in attorney fees. USCIS approves self-filed EB-1A cases regularly. Plan on about four months of full-time work to research evidence, draft the brief, recruit recommenders, prepare translations, and assemble the exhibit binder yourself.

Evidence preparation

The hidden cost most petitioners underestimate. EB-1A requires documentary proof for at least three of ten EB-1A criteria, so you spend on:

• Certified translations of non-English documents ($25 to $50 per page).
• Sealed letters from employers, awards bodies, journal editors.
• Web archive preservation (free via the Wayback Machine).
• Recommender outreach. Small honoraria are common for senior recommenders.

Lana automates most of this: web evidence capture, Wayback archiving, recommender shortlist generation, citation tracking. What used to be 60 attorney hours is closer to 5.

Total EB-1A budget

Self-filing saves the attorney fee. Time investment is roughly four months of focused work.

Self-petition, regular processing — plus ~4 months of your time$715

Self-petition with premium processing — plus ~4 months of your time$3,520

Attorney-prepared (boutique firm) with premium$14,800 to $17,800

Attorney-prepared (large firm) with premium$20,800 to $27,800

Complex case (multiple criteria, heavy translations)$30,000+

After I-140 approval, you still need a green card. If you are inside the US, file Form I-485 (adjustment of status, $1,440 per adult). If you are outside the US, consular process through the National Visa Center and your nearest US embassy. Add a medical exam (Form I-693, $200 to $500) and any required civil documents. Track your priority date in the DOS Visa Bulletin.

Cut the budget without cutting the case

Lana prepares an attorney-ready EB-1A brief and evidence package. Upload your CV. She finds the press, citations, and recommenders that make your case extraordinary. Whether you file pro se or hand the package to your attorney, the research work is already done.

Try Lana free