The costs for international adoption vary widely. The agencies that do homestudies have varying fees as do the placement agencies. You need to look at each agency's full fee schedules in order to compare. Some homestudy agencies have one fee covering everything required while others have individualized fees for interviews, training, duplication of documents, fingerprints, etc. In addition, many agencies require or expect donations of either money or items for the children who remain in the orphanages.
Donations can make a huge difference in the lives of the children who are waiting for families.
Often some of the fees are lower for a second child adopted at the same time, for an older child or for a child with special needs. While the costs may be prohibitive when you first look at them, realize that you can take your time to save money. The fees are expected at varying intervals and not all at once. Sometimes family or friends may help. Sometimes people are able to secure bank loans.