I130 Payment

[MattNZ2014 0]

Hi Team

I was hoping someone could give me some clarification regarding the I130 form.

Me (New Zealand Citizen) & My Wife (USA Citizen) have been living in NZ for over 3 years and married for over 2......so we've decided to give a crack at Living in America and this brings me to this forum with a few questions:

My circumstances are that I am living in Wellington, New Zealand and the immigration office is in Auckland but we don't have the option of filling the i130 direct as it isn't listed as having that option, so I understand everything should be sent to the Chicago lockbox. My main question is for the filling fee, which i believe is $420 - at what stage does this get paid? - Does it get sent through at the same time as the application of the i130.

Information below is from my countries Embassy page (if you can trouble yourself to read it), and it states that fees are paid at the interview stage.....can someone please advise on their experience of paying for the i130?

Immigrant Visa Fees Fee Type* $NZ IV Petition I-130 Filing $546 IV Application $299 Returning Resident $357.50 DV Lottery $429 USCIS I-601 Waiver $760.50 Transportation Letter (Lost Green Card)

* Fees for all Immigrant Visa services must be paid in person at the interview. The U.S. Consulate General does not accept U.S. dollars; all fees must be paid in New Zealand dollars. We recommend fees be paid by credit card for all services except Non Immigrant Visas, which are paid at the at Kiwi Bank in Post Shops in advance.

Kind regards,

Matt

[Ryan H 3,834]

The filing fee is paid at the same time the petition is submitted (an I-130 is a petition form, not an application form). The fee must come from funds drawn from a US financial institution.

Disregard what you read on the Consulate website, it is not applicable to you. When the time comes, appropriate fees are paid to the National Visa Center (NVC).

[jsumner86 403]

I'm guessing NZ doesn't have the option to do so yet??

If so- the I-130 will have to be filed to Chicago lock box.. link here http://www.uscis.gov/i-130%C2'>

the $420 has to be sent with the I-130, and it must be a check or money order within the US. In US currency, failure to do so will be an request for evidence (send the right amount in US Currency and a bank within the US) or denial.

My wife sent the money via paypal to one of her family members to get the money order check sent back to us.

[MattNZ2014 0]

Thanks for the responses I really appreciate it.

[NikLR 13,232]

You could go to your NZ bank and see if they can make a US money order. OR, if your USC spouse still has a US bank account you can transfer the money there and send a check. OR send the petition to a trustworthy US relative and have them send the check with the petition and pay them back.

[MattNZ2014 0]

Hi NLR in regards to the sending a cheque option - are you implying that it gets sent to New Zealand where we both live? My i130 is nearly good to go apart from the passport photos and this cheque business and a cover letter, so your clarificaiton would be helpful

It is my understanding that I have to include the cheque in with my initial i130 petition, and I would send that all together in the same package

Cheers

[NikLR 13,232]

Yes they MUST accompany each other. Perhaps I was unclear. Either a) transfer money to a US bank account and send a US check with the petition from NZ or b) check with your local bank to see if they can make a money order in US funds to send with the petition or c) send the entire petition to a trust worthy US relative and have THEM send the petition and check to the USCIS.

The petition MUST be sent to the chicago lockbox because you both live outside the USA.

[MattNZ2014 0]

I really appreciate this.... until my next question