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The short answer
Bringing a parent from Nigeria on an immigrant visa costs, per the State Department's fee page, $675 for the I-130 petition and $325 for the immigrant visa application, per parent, plus a $120 affidavit of support review where it applies. Form I-864 has no USCIS fee, but the sponsor must show household income of at least 125% of the HHS poverty guideline: $34,150 for a household of three in the 48 contiguous states under the 2026 figures.
What you pay, line by line
Sponsoring a mother or father in Lagos, Enugu or Kano who will interview at a US embassy or consulate in Nigeria is a consular case. The costs come in separate pieces, paid to different bodies at different stages, which is why families are often surprised by the total. The State Department's Fees for Visa Services page, checked in October 2026, lists the government fees below.
| Item | Fee | Who collects it, per the page |
|---|---|---|
| Form I-130 petition (one per parent) | $675 | Collected for USCIS |
| Immigrant visa application, immediate relative or family case | $325 per person | Department of State, non-refundable |
| Affidavit of Support review | $120 | Department of State, only where the review is done domestically |
| Form I-864 itself | No USCIS fee | USCIS form page |
Those are government fees only. On top come costs the fee page does not set: the medical examination by an embassy-approved panel physician in Nigeria, a valid Nigerian passport for each parent, police and civil documents, courier and translation where needed, flights, and any further USCIS charge after the visa is issued. Check each with the provider and the USCIS fee calculator before you budget. USCIS publishes the I-130 fee on its own pages too; if what you see there differs from the State Department figure, follow USCIS for anything paid to USCIS.
The income test in Form I-864
The affidavit of support is a promise to the US government that the immigrant will not rely on certain public benefits, and the sponsor shows the income to back it. The income line is 125% of the federal poverty guideline for the sponsor's household size. HHS published the 2026 guidelines in the Federal Register on 15 January 2026. Multiplying the 48-state figures by 125% gives:
| Household size | 2026 poverty guideline (48 states and DC) | 125% line |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $21,640 | $27,050 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $34,150 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $41,250 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $48,350 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $55,450 |
| Each extra person | $5,680 | $7,100 |
Alaska and Hawaii have higher guidelines. USCIS turns the HHS numbers into Form I-864P, the worksheet that states the minimum income; use the version current on the day you sign, because the figures change each year and the 125% line above is our arithmetic on the HHS table.
Household size is not just who lives with you
The parents you are sponsoring count towards household size, so sponsoring both parents adds two people. Your spouse and dependants count too, and the I-864 instructions list other people who must be included. Get the number right before comparing your income with the table.
A worked example
Example only. Chidi is a US citizen in Houston, married with one child, sponsoring both his parents in Owerri. His household for the I-864 is five: himself, his wife, their child and the two parents. His line is $48,350 under the 2026 figures.
- Government fees: two I-130s ($1,350) plus two immigrant visa fees ($650) plus one affidavit review if it applies ($120) = $2,120.
- His wage on his latest tax return is $44,000, which is $4,350 short.
- His wife, who lives with him, earns $18,000. If she signs Form I-864A as a household member, their combined $62,000 clears the line.
Without his wife's income, the gap would have to be closed by a joint sponsor or by assets. USCIS says assets must be documented with their location, ownership, date of acquisition, value and any liens; the I-864 instructions explain how much of an asset counts against a shortfall.
Joint sponsors, household members and assets
- Household member (Form I-864A): a relative living with you can add income; USCIS requires a separate I-864A for each person and proof that they live with you and how they are related.
- Joint sponsor: someone outside your household who files their own I-864 and meets the line alone for their household. They must prove US citizenship, permanent residence or US national status.
- Assets: savings and property can make up a shortfall, documented as above.
Money your parents hold in Nigeria does not reduce your duty as sponsor, but the instructions explain when the immigrant's own assets can be considered. If your parents have savings at home, keep statements ready; a verifiable statement can help where a reviewer wants to see that a document has not been altered.
What to check first
- Eligibility to petition for a parent, on the USCIS I-130 page.
- Your household size and the current I-864P line, using your latest federal tax return.
- Whether a household member or joint sponsor is needed, before you file.
- Current fees on the State Department page and USCIS fee calculator on the day you pay.
- Panel physician and passport costs in Nigeria, by asking the providers directly.
Our guide to the I-864 income requirement for family from Nigeria goes deeper on the income evidence, and bringing parents to visit covers the visitor route if a green card is not the aim yet. This is information, not immigration advice.
Where Pryme fits
Pryme does not handle immigration fees. Where it helps is the money around the case: holding dollars and naira in one multicurrency account, sending naira to a parent for passport, medical and document costs in Nigeria with Send, and converting only when you choose. The app shows the rate and the fee before you approve.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to file I-130 for my parents from Nigeria?
The State Department fee page lists $675 for the I-130, collected for USCIS, plus $325 per person for the immigrant visa application. For two parents that is $2,000 in those two fees alone, before medicals, passports and travel.
Is there a fee for Form I-864?
USCIS charges no fee for Form I-864. The State Department lists a $120 affidavit of support review fee, which applies only where the review is done domestically.
What income do I need to sponsor my parents in 2026?
At least 125% of the HHS poverty guideline for your household size, including the parents you sponsor. For a household of four in the 48 states, the 2026 line works out at $41,250. Check the current Form I-864P.
Can my wife's income count on my parents' I-864?
Yes, if she lives with you and signs Form I-864A as a household member. If you still fall short, a joint sponsor or documented assets can close the gap.
Sources
- US Department of State: Fees for Visa Services · accessed Oct 2026
- HHS ASPE: Poverty Guidelines (2026, Federal Register 15 Jan 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- USCIS: Form I-864, Affidavit of Support · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.