Green card Fee before entrance to US - what next

[fresia 1]

I was just wondering if anyone knows, after paying green card fee (based on the instuctions given by the Embassy), my green card should arrive to my mail adress in US after I arrive there.

But, are they waiting to take my photo and fingerprints on POE for the green card - or they will use what they have in my file so far.

My PoE is Chicago - any tips?

Thank you all so much for the support I had on my immigration visa journey!

[sf786 22]

You will receive your green card at your spouse's postal address within 4 - 6 weeks.

At a time of entry into US,they will do all formalities.

[fresia 1]

Tnx...

[Mrs Tams 5]

The same photo that was used for ure immigrant visa will be used for ure green card. ~~~

[Darnell 8,478]

my tip -

If you have to pay the 165 fee at the ELIS website,

copy the 'Immigrant Visa Summary' page that is attached to the outside of the sealed envelope. Scan it, email it to yourself, as you'll need this data to pay the fee at the ELIS website.

[Billyk 6]

my tip -

If you have to pay the 165 fee at the ELIS website,

copy the 'Immigrant Visa Summary' page that is attached to the outside of the sealed envelope. Scan it, email it to yourself, as you'll need this data to pay the fee at the ELIS website.

Darnell - my sister and her husband arrived with F4 visa category. They were in AP for a while and that time I paid Visa Fee $400 for each but I don't know if we need to pay $165 to get the I-551 processed. They don't have any bill or anything beside the stamp with A number and visa category on the visa page which serves one year as temporary I-551. It has been three weeks since their arrival and no green card yet. Should I wait more or I should be checking to pay? I'll appreciate your input. Thanks!

[Darnell 8,478]

If they paid 400 each, for IV/DS-230 at NVC, ages past, then I am uncertain if they have to do anything with ELIS.

I am leaning towards NO at the moment, as the green card fee was included at NVC, then, ages past. Ask them to call into USCIS and see what's what (though that phonecall may be fruitless and fraught with bad info). Sure, they got a stamp in the passport, endorsing the visa to be utilised as a 1 year temp I-551 document, so that's a plus. I really don't know the processes for folk in F4 category, sorry.

A good rule of thumb? If someone paid 240 USD for the IV/DS-230 fee, then need to pay the Immigrant Fee of 165 for the greencard via ELIS website.

[apple21 953]

Darnell - my sister and her husband arrived with F4 visa category. They were in AP for a while and that time I paid Visa Fee $400 for each but I don't know if we need to pay $165 to get the I-551 processed. They don't have any bill or anything beside the stamp with A number and visa category on the visa page which serves one year as temporary I-551. It has been three weeks since their arrival and no green card yet. Should I wait more or I should be checking to pay? I'll appreciate your input. Thanks!

F4 (Brothers/Sisters of Adult USC) is an immigrant visa so they need to pay the immigrant fee of $165 each.

The USCIS final rule adjusting fees for immigration applications and petitions established the USCIS Immigrant Fee. The Federal Register published the final rule on Sept. 24, 2010. The rule became effective for all foreign nationals who receive an immigrant visa on or after Feb. 1, 2013. The USCIS Immigrant Fee is not related to the immigrant visa fees collected by the Department of State.

Source: http://www.uscis.gov/forms/uscis-immigrant-fee

Edited October 31, 2013 by apple21

[Billyk 6]

If they paid 400 each, for IV/DS-230 at NVC, ages past, then I am uncertain if they have to do anything with ELIS.

I am leaning towards NO at the moment, as the green card fee was included at NVC, then, ages past. Ask them to call into USCIS and see what's what (though that phonecall may be fruitless and fraught with bad info). Sure, they got a stamp in the passport, endorsing the visa to be utilised as a 1 year temp I-551 document, so that's a plus. I really don't know the processes for folk in F4 category, sorry.

A good rule of thumb? If someone paid 240 USD for the IV/DS-230 fee, then need to pay the Immigrant Fee of 165 for the greencard via ELIS website.

Thanks Darnell - calling USCIS was fruitless as we thought. The gentle lady did not even bother to understand the concept and read the implementation fee rule of $165. She told me that she can not disclose the information on the phone if we owe or not when I asked for. She advised me to make an appointment to visit field office I could not figure it out what kind of classified information I was asking which she could not provide? My simple question was can you please take a look the status of I-551? I tried to make an appointment with our local office and they don't have any opening for this kind of information at this time. We'll be looking into to it ............Thanks!

[Billyk 6]

F4 (Brothers/Sisters of Adult USC) is an immigrant visa so they need to pay the immigrant fee of $165 each.

Source: http://www.uscis.gov/forms/uscis-immigrant-fee

Thanks Apple21 - I am not much concerned if we need to pay or not, the issue I am dealing with DOS fee which at that time was only one $400. The new law I believe was written or introduced on July 13, 2010 and we paid the fee on July 8th, 2010. Unfortunately the visa retrogression pushed their petition back and they had to wait for almost two years to have their PD current. You think if we pay $165 now then we should ask for refund from DOS? DOS never issues visa even you are a penny short in fee. We'll wait little more to pay since there is no hurry !!!!!!

[Darnell 8,478]

Thanks Darnell - calling USCIS was fruitless as we thought. The gentle lady did not even bother to understand the concept and read the implementation fee rule of $165. She told me that she can not disclose the information on the phone if we owe or not when I asked for. She advised me to make an appointment to visit field office I could not figure it out what kind of classified information I was asking which she could not provide? My simple question was can you please take a look the status of I-551? I tried to make an appointment with our local office and they don't have any opening for this kind of information at this time. We'll be looking into to it ............Thanks!

Oh, that's because you are not anyone listed in the immigration documents. At best, you're just a casual bystander. Of course USCIS won't tell you anything.

[apple21 953]

Thanks Apple21 - I am not much concerned if we need to pay or not, the issue I am dealing with DOS fee which at that time was only one $400. The new law I believe was written or introduced on July 13, 2010 and we paid the fee on July 8th, 2010. Unfortunately the visa retrogression pushed their petition back and they had to wait for almost two years to have their PD current. You think if we pay $165 now then we should ask for refund from DOS? DOS never issues visa even you are a penny short in fee. We'll wait little more to pay since there is no hurry !!!!!!

No refund. If you don't pay the $165 each for sister and brother-in-law, no GC for them.

[Billyk 6]

Oh, that's because you are not anyone listed in the immigration documents. At best, you're just a casual bystander. Of course USCIS won't tell you anything.

Well - then I am not sure after DOS issues visa the Petitioner, Sponsor and a Choice of Agent turns into casual bystander. Beside that my sister was with me at the time I called and I mentioned in our conversation. Thanks!

[Darnell 8,478]

Well - then I am not sure after DOS issues visa the Petitioner, Sponsor and a Choice of Agent turns into casual bystander. Beside that my sister was with me at the time I called and I mentioned in our conversation. Thanks!

So, you not put the sister on the phone and go further with the inquiry?

OK !

And yes, USCIS won't talk to anyone but the immigrant, at this exact stage. Husband/wife team get grand exception.

So, try it again, ask if need to pay the ELIS fee or no, and remind the Tier 2 human that you speak with, that the big 400 fee was paid at NVC, not the smaller 230 fee.

[pallu2013 1]

No refund. If you don't pay the $165 each for sister and brother-in-law, no GC for them.

So as i understand we all need to pay $165 for GC.. Cn u pls suggest me How we have to pay as I havent received any notice regarding this payment. although in DS 260 we hv the address n everything where it has to deliver but nothing related to payment??