Consulate is asking for an "interview fee"??

[Marrienne 113]

VJers help!
I was going through all the emails from the Embassy about our appointment, to make sure I haven't missed something and I noticed this:

"The total fee for an immigrant visa is: $325 in United States currency payable at our cashier on the day of the interview. You may pay the fees in U.S. dollars or the equivalent in Euros at the current exchange rate. Please note this rate is subject to change on a monthly basis.

Please find attached the medical instructions.

If we may be of further assistance to you in this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Regards,

Immigrant Visa Unit

U.S. Embassy

Athens, Greece"

Here is the thing. When we filed our I-130s, we paid $420 each, is this ANOTHER fee we need to pay?? What was the $420 for?
I thought I only to pay $165 per person for the green card IF we got approved.
I have mailed the Embassy too, but won't hear back until Monday, interview is Wednesday! I need to come up with that money if need be. And is this per person??? Or what?

Thank you so much once again!!!

[xmaricrisx 25]

The initial $420 was for the processing of the i-130 petition. That is separate from the actual immigrant visa, which is what the $325 is for... and yes, I do believe that is per person.

Edited June 11, 2016 by xmaricrisx

[Anitafeliz 1,133]

Is this fee in addition to the 265 we have to pay to set up the biometrics appointment and interview???

[arken 4,197]

$420 is just for i130 processing and is paid to USCIS. $325 is for Visa application process. $165 is for GC after visa is approved. Seems like the fee of #325 wasn't paid to NVC while filing the visa application online? In that case, per the letter, you have to pay that during the interview.

[Amadia 711]

Hi Marienne,

Since you went the route of DCF in Athens, Greece you skipped the entire USCIS and NVC process and filed straight thru your country's US consulate. As such, the fees associated with your i130 petition will still be in effect which are stated below:

1. US$420 - Filing fee for i130 petition (per applicant)

2. US$120 - Agent of choice fee (covers all applicants; may not apply in your DCF instance)

3. US$325 - Immigrant Visa fee; to b paid at the consulate since you skipped the NVC stage (per applicant)

4. US$165 - Green card fee; to be paid before/after POE in USA (per applicant)

Other unstated fees will be for personal expenses such as visa-specific photos, medical examination, evidence packaging, etc.

So...if you don't have the money to pay for the visas, then you can't get them and your case may be placed in AP until you do.

[Lavender7 32]

Hi Marienne,

Since you went the route of DCF in Athens, Greece you skipped the entire USCIS and NVC process and filed straight thru your country's US consulate. As such, the fees associated with your i130 petition will still be in effect which are stated below:

1. US$420 - Filing fee for i130 petition (per applicant)

2. US$120 - Agent of choice fee (covers all applicants; may not apply in your DCF instance)

3. US$325 - Immigrant Visa fee; to b paid at the consulate since you skipped the NVC stage (per applicant)

4. US$165 - Green card fee; to be paid before/after POE in USA (per applicant)

Other unstated fees will be for personal expenses such as visa-specific photos, medical examination, evidence packaging, etc.

So...if you don't have the money to pay for the visas, then you can't get them and your case may be placed in AP until you do.

What does this agent of choice mean?

[Amadia 711]

What does this agent of choice mean?

The Agent of Choice is the person or institution who is assigned by the petitioner (US Citizen) for the NVC and embassy to contact as the case progresses forward. This person can either be the US Citizen themselves with the applicants as a secondary contact OR it can be an immigration attorney if the applicants decide on using an attorney for their case.

By the way, is there a reason why you are choosing to start your Cr1/Ir1 visa in Oct 2016?

Edited June 11, 2016 by Amadia

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Fees here. http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

In short: yes, you have to pay this fee and yes, it's per person.

[Marrienne 113]

Thanks again VJers. Is this even if we do not get approved???

[Dal&Rose 45]

Yep, even if not approved.

[Marrienne 113]

Thanks guys! I've transfered the money hopefully it will be here before the interview!

[Lavender7 32]

The Agent of Choice is the person or institution who is assigned by the petitioner (US Citizen) for the NVC and embassy to contact as the case progresses forward. This person can either be the US Citizen themselves with the applicants as a secondary contact OR it can be an immigration attorney if the applicants decide on using an attorney for their case.

By the way, is there a reason why you are choosing to start your Cr1/Ir1 visa in Oct 2016?

Yes, and the reason is not to wait till it's exactly 2 years since we are married, I'm aware that doesn't matter, the time starts from the day I actually enter the States. October is the time when we are going to be able to afford it: )

[Amadia 711]

Yes, and the reason is not to wait till it's exactly 2 years since we are married, I'm aware that doesn't matter, the time starts from the day I actually enter the States. October is the time when we are going to be able to afford it: )

Well, the IR1/CR1 process takes a range of 10-13mths to be completed.

The USCIS service centers all have varying processing times so you can check on those but they range from 2-5mths; you may get RFEs at this stage so that creates a further delay. Then you have the NVC stage which is based on ensuring the applicants are documentarily qualified for the embassy....you may get checklists for missing docs at this stage at times so that creates a further delay also. If you have no checklists then it's Case Complete and then on to awaiting interview scheduling at your country's embassy which is approx 1-2mths from your case being complete. Then you may or may not be asked for additional docs at your interview by the CO.

So after all I've mentioned, please see below:

1. US$420 - Filing fee for i130 petition (per applicant - USCIS)

2. US$120 - Agent of choice fee (covers all applicants - NVC)

3. US$325 - Immigrant Visa fee (per applicant - NVC)

4. US$165 - Green card fee; to be paid before/after POE in USA (per applicant - USCIS online)

However....you and your spouse will know the full extent of your financial situation. Best of luck to you!

[Lavender7 32]

Well, the IR1/CR1 process takes a range of 10-13mths to be completed.

The USCIS service centers all have varying processing times so you can check on those but they range from 2-5mths; you may get RFEs at this stage so that creates a further delay. Then you have the NVC stage which is based on ensuring the applicants are documentarily qualified for the embassy....you may get checklists for missing docs at this stage at times so that creates a further delay also. If you have no checklists then it's Case Complete and then on to awaiting interview scheduling at your country's embassy which is approx 1-2mths from your case being complete. Then you may or may not be asked for additional docs at your interview by the CO.

So after all I've mentioned, please see below:

1. US$420 - Filing fee for i130 petition (per applicant - USCIS)

2. US$120 - Agent of choice fee (covers all applicants - NVC)

3. US$325 - Immigrant Visa fee (per applicant - NVC)

4. US$165 - Green card fee; to be paid before/after POE in USA (per applicant - USCIS online)

However....you and your spouse will know the full extent of your financial situation. Best of luck to you!

Yes, I'm aware about the rest, was just curious about agent of choice, Thanks )