US immigrant fee

[JackandEdna2019 15]

If I filed an I-130 for my spouse and stepdaughter, does my spouse have to pay an immigrant fee before traveling to the USA? I thought that once the I-130 is approved it's sent to the NVC then once you complete all the processes with nvc and you complete your interview that they can come to the USA? How much is the immigrant fee? I thought that was all included when you pay the ds 260 fees. Can someone pls clarify this for me bcs I'm a little confused? Also, I have a daughter who was born in the Philippines and we did all the paperwork for her to be a US Citizen so I was told by USCIS before that I don't have to file anything extra for her bcs she's already a us citizen!  However, I still have to add her name to the petition even though she's a US citizen but I don't have to file an additional application for her as she's already a citizen of the US.

 

Edited March 21 by JackandEdna2019

[appleblossom 3,599]

8 minutes ago, JackandEdna2019 said:

If I filed an I-130 for my spouse and stepdaughter, does my spouse have to pay an immigrant fee before traveling to the USA? I thought that once the I-130 is approved it's sent to the NVC then once you complete all the processes with nvc and you complete your interview that they can come to the USA? How much is the immigrant fee? I thought that was all included when you pay the ds 260 fees. Can someone pls clarify this for me bcs I'm a little confused? Also, I have a daughter who was born in the Philippines and we did all the paperwork for her to be a US Citizen so I was told by USCIS before that I don't have to file anything extra for her bcs she's already a us citizen!  However, I still have to add her name to the petition even though she's a US citizen but I don't have to file an additional application for her as she's already a citizen of the US.

 

 

It’s $235, you can pay it before your spouse travels or after, it doesn't matter - https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/uscis-immigrant-fee

 

It’s not included in the DS-260 fees as you can’t pay it until the visa has actually been granted. 

[Crazy Cat 42,960]

14 minutes ago, JackandEdna2019 said:

does my spouse have to pay an immigrant fee before traveling to the USA?

The immigrant fee is $235.  It is not part of the DS-260 fees.  It is paid to USCIS after the interview.  It can be paid either before or after the new immigrant travels.  However, a plastic Green Card will NOT be produced until the fee is paid AND the new immigrant is inside the US.  

 

[JackandEdna2019 15]

9 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

It’s $235, you can pay it before your spouse travels or after, it doesn't matter - https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/uscis-immigrant-fee

 

It’s not included in the DS-260 fees as you can’t pay it until the visa has actually been granted. 

Thanks for that information! However, when I tried to click on the link to see the info your pulling up but it's not showing up for the uscis immigrant fee.  Can you pls tell me where you are getting this info from?

[JackandEdna2019 15]

8 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

The immigrant fee is $235.  It is not part of the DS-260 fees.  It is paid to USCIS after the interview.  It can be paid either before or after the new immigrant travels.  However, a plastic Green Card will NOT be produced until the fee is paid AND the new immigrant is inside the US.  

 

Thanks! Where are you seeing the uscis immigrant fee amount at? Pls let me know?

[Crazy Cat 42,960]

2 minutes ago, JackandEdna2019 said:

Thanks! Where are you seeing the uscis immigrant fee amount at? Pls let me know?

G-1055 Fee Schedule

 

It's the first fee listed.

Edited March 21 by Crazy Cat

[JackandEdna2019 15]

9 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

G-1055 Fee Schedule

 

It's the first fee listed.

Ok thanks!

[appleblossom 3,599]

13 minutes ago, JackandEdna2019 said:

Thanks for that information! However, when I tried to click on the link to see the info your pulling up but it's not showing up for the uscis immigrant fee.  Can you pls tell me where you are getting this info from?

 

Go to ‘About the Fee’ and it takes you to the fee schedule @Crazy Cat has given you above. Bear in mind it may well change between now and then, fees do increase regularly, but it gives you an idea at least. 

 

And you’ll be told about it during the process. It’s on the usual step by step website (step 12 ‘after the interview’ - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-10-prepare-for-the-interview/step-12-after-the-interview.html). Your spouse will also be given a handout about it at the interview.

Edited March 21 by appleblossom

[JackandEdna2019 15]

Just now, appleblossom said:

 

Go to ‘About the Fee’ and it takes you to the fee schedule @Crazy Cat has given you above. 

 

But you’ll be told about it during the process. It’s on the usual step by step website (step 12 ‘after the interview’ - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-10-prepare-for-the-interview/step-12-after-the-interview.html). Your spouse will also be given a handout about it at the interview.

Ok thanks for the assistance!

[spicynujac 54]

I'm confused about this fee.  The instructions state:

 

You must pay the fee online. The U.S. embassy or consulate will give you your:

• A-Number (the letter “A” followed by 8 or 9 numbers);
• DOS Case ID (3 letters followed by 9 or 10 numbers);
• Instructions for paying the USCIS Immigrant Fee;
• Immigrant Data Summary; and
• Sealed immigrant visa packet.

We received nothing from the Manila embassy when passing the visa interview. 

The only thing which arrived in the mail was my wife's current Philippine passport with an immigrant VISA stamped inside, expiring in 5 months.

 

We have no "A-number"

We have an NVC case # beginning MNL2024 which may be the DOS case ID (which we have had going back to the beginning of this process)

We received no instructions for paying the Immigrant Fee

We received no "data summary" whatever that is

We received no sealed packet.

 

In fact the only way I even knew this fee existed is from the forum here.  Are we supposed to receive any of the above?  Are we ok to pay the fee without those things?  Will we have any issues entering without the above and only a CR1 visa?  FYI we also received nothing when she passed her medical test and my wife is worried about being asked for proof of a clean medical when she enters the country.  Another confusing step in this process where the government rules aren't intelligible.  I'm hesitant to pay when I am missing 4 of the 5 items the government says we should have for this fee, as it is considered nonrefundable.

 

(PS as for the fee amount, I wouldn't expect it to increase any time soon as it just saw a substantial increase over 40% to $235 a few months ago).

Edited Saturday at 02:39 PM by spicynujac

[Crazy Cat 42,960]

5 minutes ago, spicynujac said:

We have no "A-number"

We have an NVC case # beginning MNL2024 which may be the DOS case ID (which we have had going back to the beginning of this process)

We received no instructions for paying the Immigrant Fee

We received no "data summary" whatever that is

We received no sealed packet.

The numbers you need are on the visa, itself.  The A-number is the "Registration number".  The MNL case number is DOS case number.  That is all you need to pay the fee online...other than a Debit or credit card.

Go here to pay:  USCIS - Immigrant Fee - USCIS Immigrant Fee

Edited Saturday at 02:41 PM by Crazy Cat

[spicynujac 54]

Thanks! So there is no sealed packed used anymore?  I've read in numerous places about special packets you are not supposed to open, but you carry to the US border agents when you enter the country.  Is that needed for a CR-1 visa immigrant?

[Crazy Cat 42,960]

Just now, spicynujac said:

Thanks! So there is no sealed packed used anymore?  I've read in numerous places about special packets you are not supposed to open, but you carry to the US border agents when you enter the country.  Is that needed for a CR-1 visa immigrant?

Most consulates have gone to electronic transmittal of information instead of a physical packet.

[spicynujac 54]

 

Quote

 

We could not find the A-Number or Department of State Id you entered

Contact the USCIS Contact Center for assistance.

Provide a 7, 8, or 9-digit number. If the A-Number is fewer than 9 digits, the system will automatically add zero(s) after the "A" and before the first digit so there is a total of 9 digits, for example: A-001234567.

 

 

The system is automatically appending a 0 when I type in the 8 digit registration number printed on our visa.  Guess I'll have to call them next week.  Thanks.

[appleblossom 3,599]

7 minutes ago, spicynujac said:

 

 

The system is automatically appending a 0 when I type in the 8 digit registration number printed on our visa.  Guess I'll have to call them next week.  Thanks.

 

That’s exactly what you need to do. It says it in the quote you’ve given above! Is also in the instructions - "If your A-Number is fewer than 9 digits, insert a zero after the “A” and before the first digit to create a 9-digit number” https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/uscis-immigrant-fee/immigrant-fee-payment-tips-on-finding-your-a-number-and-dos-case-id

 

And no, no packet for family based applications, only employment based. Yours is sent electronically, on your visa it should say something like ‘IV docs in CCD’ which means it’s in the consular consolidated database and nothing physical is needed.

Edited Saturday at 02:55 PM by appleblossom