$350 Visa fee with packet 3.5? what the hell is this?

[Master Semaj 2]

NO. There was misinformation posted in this thread. The new $165 fee is for immigrant visas. The K-1 is a non-immigrant visa and that new fee DOES NOT apply to those getting a K-1.

The fee to file the I-129F petition is $340. The visa processing fee at the consulate is $240. The fee for AOS once in the US and married is $1070.

I see. Strange though, either I have not been able to find it or I have completely not seen it, but I have not read about this $240 dollar fee to pay at the consulate. All I've seen people talk about is paying a courier fee nowhere near that much. I thought the filing fee at the start of the petition was for the K1. :S Oh well, at least I know now rather than later.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

I see. Strange though, either I have not been able to find it or I have completely not seen it, but I have not read about this $240 dollar fee to pay at the consulate. All I've seen people talk about is paying a courier fee nowhere near that much. I thought the filing fee at the start of the petition was for the K1. :S Oh well, at least I know now rather than later.

The $340 is only the filing fee for the I-129F petition form. The petition approval's only connection to the actual K-1 visa is that it grants permission for the foreign fiance(e) to apply for the K-1 visa. There is a $240 visa processing fee for everyone applying for a K-1 visa at all consulates. It used to be $350 and went down to $240 on April 13, 2012.

From the London Embassy site: "K visa applicants - $ 240.00" : http://london.usembassy.gov/immigrant-visas/iv_fees.html

[Master Semaj 2]

The $340 is only the filing fee for the I-129F petition form. The petition approval's only connection to the actual K-1 visa is that it grants permission for the foreign fiance(e) to apply for the K-1 visa. There is a $240 visa processing fee for everyone applying for a K-1 visa at all consulates. It used to be $350 and went down to $240 on April 13, 2012.

From the London Embassy site: "K visa applicants - $ 240.00" : http://london.usembassy.gov/immigrant-visas/iv_fees.html

Ah I see, that makes sense. Once again, thank you for your help and knowledge.

[Inky 1,110]

Question then - why is fiance visa listed under Immigrant visa fees for Pakistan? and saying that you have to pay the new feb 1 fee before going to the USA.

http://islamabad.usembassy.gov/immigrant_visas2.html

Giving advice from their own US Embassy at Islamabad they apparently consider it an immigrant visa and say you are required to pay the fee before leaving the country to go to the USA.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Question then - why is fiance visa listed under Immigrant visa fees for Pakistan? and saying that you have to pay the new feb 1 fee before going to the USA.

http://islamabad.usembassy.gov/immigrant_visas2.html

Giving advice from their own US Embassy at Islamabad they apparently consider it an immigrant visa and say you are required to pay the fee before leaving the country to go to the USA.

Why is the K-1 listed under immigrant visas at many of the US Embassy websites? It is generally considered and processed by the consulates(not just Islamabad) as an immigrant visa, even though it is technically a non-immigrant visa.

What the Fee Covers

The immigrant fee will cover the cost of USCIS staff time to handle, file and maintain the immigrant visa package, and the cost of producing and delivering the permanent resident card.

Someone that enters with a K-1 visa is not given a permanent resident card. Only those with an immigrant visa are.

Children who enter the United States under either the Orphan or Hague adoption programs, Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants, returning residents (SB-1s), and those issued K visas are the only immigrant visa cases exempt from paying the new fee.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=3a2bb75e8109b310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=fe529c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

Also, taken directly from the link you provided:

Only prospective adoptive parents whose child(ren) is/are entering the United States under either the Orphan or Hague Process, Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants who were employed by the U.S. government, returning residents, and those issued K visas are exempt from the new fee.

[Kazulie 132]

Also taken from the link you provided:

Failure to Pay

You will not receive a green card until the required USCIS Immigrant fee is paid.

Failure to pay does not affect your lawful status. You will have your passport stamped showing your lawful admission and permanent resident status. This stamp is valid for one year but it is strongly advised that you pay the immigrant fee as soon as possible to avoid delays in receiving your Permanent Resident Card.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Also taken from the link you provided:

Failure to Pay

You will not receive a green card until the required USCIS Immigrant fee is paid.

Failure to pay does not affect your lawful status. You will have your passport stamped showing your lawful admission and permanent resident status. This stamp is valid for one year but it is strongly advised that you pay the immigrant fee as soon as possible to avoid delays in receiving your Permanent Resident Card.

Yes, and someone entering with a K-1 is not given permanent residence status upon entry anyway. This fee does not apply to them. They will not be receiving a green card until they are married and file for adjustment of staus. The fee for that is $1070. I would have rather paid $165 instead.

[AEL81 0]

When does the 240$ fee have to be paid for consulate?

[bokisuza 1]

This is good information about the visa fees. Thank you