US Green Card for Thais: Routes, the Visa Bulletin, Fees and the 2026 Situation

On this page

Green card routes
Applying from abroad or adjusting status in the US
The Visa Bulletin for Thai-born applicants
Immigrant visa measures in 2026
After you get a green card
Visa Connext green card service
Frequently asked questions
Sources and legal texts used on this page

Green card routes

US immigration law classifies immigrants by route as in the table. There are also refugees, asylees and other special groups under the statute.

Route	Who qualifies	Numbers	Law
Immediate relatives of US citizens	Spouses, children, and parents of citizens aged 21 or over	No numerical limit	8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(2)(A)(i)
Family preferences F1–F4	Sons and daughters of citizens, spouses and children of permanent residents, siblings of citizens	F1 23,400 · F2 114,200 · F3 23,400 · F4 65,000 a year	8 U.S.C. 1153(a)
Employment EB-1–EB-5	Priority workers, advanced-degree professionals, skilled workers, special immigrants and investors	140,000 a year plus carryover	8 U.S.C. 1153(b)
Diversity (DV)	Nationals of countries with low rates of immigration to the US	Country eligibility changes each program year	8 U.S.C. 1153(c)

Overall numbers. 8 U.S.C. 1151(c)(1) sets the worldwide family-sponsored level starting from 480,000 minus statutory adjustments, but never below 226,000 a year, and (d)(1) sets employment-based immigration at 140,000 plus any unused family numbers carried over.

EB-5 investors. 8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(5) sets the investment at USD 1,050,000, or USD 800,000 in a targeted area, adjusted for inflation every 5 years from 1 January 2027.

For the spouse route see US spouse visa; for employment routes see US work visas.

Applying from abroad or adjusting status in the US

Consular processing. Once a petition such as Form I-130 or I-140 is approved, the National Visa Center (NVC) takes the case and schedules the interview. For appointments from 1 November 2025, the State Department requires immigrant visa applicants to interview in the consular district of their residence, or in their country of nationality on request. After the visa is issued, the holder pays the USD 235 USCIS Immigrant Fee before the card is produced.

Adjustment of status. Eligible applicants in the US file Form I-485 with USCIS: USD 1,440 for applicants 14 or older, or USD 950 for a child under 14 filing with a parent.

The Visa Bulletin for Thai-born applicants

Routes with numerical limits wait until the priority date reaches the Final Action Date in the Visa Bulletin, published monthly by the State Department. Applicants born in Thailand use the column All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed.

The November 2026 Visa Bulletin shows EB-1 and EB-5 Unreserved as C (current) in this column, meaning no wait; other categories have cut-off dates. Check the latest bulletin every month, as dates can move forward or back.

Immigrant visa measures in 2026

The State Department paused immigrant visa issuance to nationals of 75 countries, including Thailand, from 21 January 2026. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York vacated that policy on 21 August 2026. A worldwide pause on immigrant visa interview appointments for officer training was then reported from 25 August 2026, and the new public charge rule 91 FR 45324 took effect on 18 September 2026. The timeline and sources are on US spouse visa.

After you get a green card

Common fees under 8 CFR 106.2: Form I-90 to renew or replace the card, USD 465; Form I-751 to remove conditions on conditional residence, USD 750; and Form N-400 for naturalization, USD 760, reduced to USD 380 where household income is no more than 400% of the poverty guidelines.

Visa Connext green card service

Visa Connext assesses which routes are open, checks Visa Bulletin positions, prepares civil documents and translations, assembles the NVC package and prepares applicants for the immigrant visa interview. See our US visa service.

Frequently asked questions

What are the routes to a US green card?

Mainly family (immediate relatives of citizens and F1–F4 preferences), employment (EB-1 to EB-5) and the diversity visa (DV), plus refugees and other special groups.

Source: 8 U.S.C. 1151 · 8 U.S.C. 1153

What is the Visa Bulletin, and which column applies to Thais?

A monthly State Department table showing which priority dates can be issued visas that month. Applicants born in Thailand use All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed.

Source: Visa Bulletin November 2026

Do immediate relatives of US citizens wait in a queue?

No numerical limit and no Visa Bulletin wait. Immediate relatives are spouses, children, and parents of citizens aged 21 or over.

Source: 8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(2)(A)(i)

How much is the investment for a green card?

EB-5 requires USD 1,050,000, or USD 800,000 in a targeted area, adjusted for inflation every 5 years from 1 January 2027. The November 2026 Visa Bulletin shows EB-5 Unreserved as current in the column used by Thais.

Source: 8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(5) · Visa Bulletin November 2026

How much does a green card cost?

Form I-485 is USD 1,440 for applicants 14 or older; immigrant visa holders from abroad pay the USD 235 USCIS Immigrant Fee; petition fees are separate.

Source: 8 CFR 106.2

Can Thai nationals still get immigrant visas in 2026?

Yes, they can apply. The 75-country immigrant visa pause that included Thailand was vacated by a court on 21 August 2026, but a worldwide interview appointment pause was reported from 25 August 2026. Check the Embassy's latest notices.

Source: U.S. Department of State · Immigration Policy Tracking Project

How much is the US naturalization fee?

Form N-400 is USD 760, reduced to USD 380 where household income is no more than 400% of the poverty guidelines, under 8 CFR 106.2.