How much does it cost to immigrate to the US in 2026?

How much money do you need to move to America?

The amount of money you need to move to America as of March 2026 is between $7,133 (€6,144/£5,314) and $38,000 (€32,732/£28,308). The total cost depends on individual circumstances, including whether you also need to ship a car or a pet, your most applicable visa, how far your origin country is from the US, and how many personal effects you are shipping. 

Relocating a dog alone costs from $1,500 (€1,293/£1,119) to $7,000 (€ 6,033/£5,220), while visas range from $185 (€159/£138) to $10,000 (€8,607/£7,438). Flights typically cost $480 (€413/£357) to $850 (€731/£632), and shipping your household furniture and belongings is around $2,468 (€2,124/£1,836) to $5,150 (€4,433/£3,831). If taking your car, expect to pay between $2,500 (€2,155/£1,864) and $15,000 (€12,928/£11,187). 

How much is a US visa?

A US visa costs between $185 (€159/£138) and $10,000 (€8,607/£7,438), depending on your and your family's circumstances. As of 2026, the most common visa pathways for people moving to the United States of America include: 

Study visas:

In 2024-25, the United States hosted over 1.17M foreign students in universities and colleges alone. Most students, including those attending universities, high schools and conservatories, require an F-1 student visa, which currently costs $185 (€159/£138), plus a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System fee of $350 (€301/£260). As of March 2026, a planned visa integrity fee of $250 (€215/£186) is scheduled to cover "enhanced security checks". To qualify for a student visa, applicants must secure acceptance from a US educational institution, prove sufficient financial support, and meet English language requirements.

Employment-based immigration:

• Temporary: work visas such as the H-1B Specialised Occupations, L-1A Intracompany Transferees, and O-1 Extraordinary Ability require several fees, usually paid by the employer. These charges can run into thousands of dollars, and include a basic filing fee of $780 (€671/£580), and a visa application fee of $205 (€176/£152). In addition, all new H-1B applications require a $100,000 (€86,071/£74,385) supplemental charge, usually paid by the employer. However, if no American worker can fill the role, the government may waive the fee. 
• Permanent: to work permanently in the US, you'll need an employment-based green card, divided into five preference categories (EB-1 to EB-5). The process can cost between US$2,000 (€1,721/£1,488) and US$10,000 (€8,607/£7,438), and includes legal fees, a medical exam, and mandatory filing fees, such as the I-140 petition, which currently costs $715 (€615/£532). Applicants must usually have a job offer from a US employer who agrees to sponsor them. 

Family-based immigration:

US citizens and permanent residents can sponsor certain relatives (spouses, parents and unmarried children under 21) for green cards. The total cost for a family-based green card typically exceeds $2,000 (€1,724/£1,492), including petition, legal, and medical fees, as well as Form I-485 for green card applicants inside the US, which currently costs $1,440 (€1,241/£1,074). Processing times and fees vary depending on the relationship, visa availability, and whether you filed inside or outside the US. In addition, many families budget an extra $2,500 (€2,155/£1,864) to $6,000 (€5,171/£4,475) for lawyers to file complex paperwork correctly and avoid costly delays or denials.

Exchange visitor programmes:

Exchange visas (J-1) are non-immigrant visas that allow eligible international visitors to participate in cultural and professional exchange programs, such as au pairs, interns, research scholars, and teachers. The J-1 visa costs $185 (€159/£138). SEVIS fees are a flat $220 (€200/£170) for most professional categories, and drop to $35 (€30/£26) for au pairs, camp counsellors, and summer work travel participants. J-1 applicants participating in official U.S. government-sponsored exchanges are exempt from both the visa and SEVIS fees.

Keep in mind that there may be additional expenses, such as biometric fees, medical examinations, and translation of documents. Visa fees change regularly, so check the official websites of the US Department of State and US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for the latest figures. 

How much does it cost to ship a vehicle to the USA?

The cost to ship a vehicle to the USA in 2026 ranges from $2,500 (€2,155/£1,864) to $15,000 (€12,928/£11,187), depending on the country of origin, the vehicle's size and make, and the chosen transport method. 

Importers generally select one of two shipping methods: 

1. Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo): workers drive the vehicle onto a specialised vessel and secure it to the deck. RoRo offers the most affordable rates; however, it exposes the vehicle to the weather and several stages of port handling.
2. Container shipping: carriers lock the car inside a private or shared steel shipping container, protecting it from the elements and theft. It is the standard choice for luxury or high-value models.

The US government enforces strict safety and emissions regulations. However, cars at least 25 years old bypass most Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) restrictions.

Beyond the carrier's ocean freight, several mandatory costs apply:

• Customs duty: imports of cars under 25 years old to the US currently face a 2.5% base duty. However, light trucks, such as SUVs and pickups, are subject to a 25% duty. Free trade agreements with countries like Australia or Singapore may reduce rates.
• Gas guzzler tax: certain fuel-inefficient vehicles face an added tax ranging from $1,000 (€862/£746) to $7,700 (€6,636/£5,742).
• Processing fees: based on the vehicle's customs value, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) collects a Merchandise Processing Fee (approx. 0.3464%) and a Harbor Maintenance Fee (0.125%).
• Quarantine cleaning: the Department of Agriculture requires a clean undercarriage free of foreign soil. Professional steam cleaning usually costs around $200 (€172/£149) to $500 (€431/£373).
• Customs brokerage: professional filing services typically charge $300 (€259/£224) to $800 (€689/£597) to manage legal entry paperwork.
• State registration: fees and weight taxes vary by state, adding an average of around $600 (€517/£447) to the final bill.