Introduction

There are two processes through which an individual can become a lawful permanent resident (LPR). First, he or she may be granted such status abroad through consular processing and then be admitted into the United States as an LPR. Second, the individual may adjust to LPR status from inside the United States if he or she meets the applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

In this article, we will address the issue of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) immigrant fees for individuals who are admitted into the United States after being approved for LPR status abroad. Such individuals must pay the USCIS immigrant fee in order to have their immigrant visa packets processed. The USCIS uses the immigrant fee to produce the Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”).

In this article, we will summarize information from a USCIS pamphlet titled “How do I pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee?” You may read the pamphlet for yourself here: [PDF version].

Distinguishing Immigrant Fee From Visa Application Fee

As we explained in the introduction, the immigrant fee covers the processing of a new LPR’s immigrant visa packet and the production of his or her Green Card.

This immigrant fee is not the same fee as the visa application fee, which the individual would have previously paid to the U.S. Department of State (DOS) in order to apply for an immigrant visa. You may see the DOS visa application fees, as of September 2, 2018, here: [PDF version].

Obtaining Information to Pay USCIS Immigrant Fee

At an immigrant visa appointment at the U.S. embassy or consulate, consular officials will give the applicant and his or her family members a sealed immigrant visa packet. The immigrant visa packet is not to be opened. Along with the packet, the applicant will receive instructions on how to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee (“USCIS Immigrant Fee Handout”). The applicant will also receive an Immigrant Data Summary Sheet, which will include on the top the applicant’s Alien Registration Number (“A-Number”) and DOS Case ID. The USCIS encourages applicants to write down the A-Number and DOS Case ID on top of the USCIS Immigrant Fee Handout before departing for the United States. This is important because the applicant will turn over the sealed immigrant visa packet and the Immigrant Data Summary sheet upon entering the United States.

Before continuing, please refer to the following USCIS document for guidance on finding the A-Number and DOS Case ID on the Immigrant Data Summary Sheet and transcribing it onto the USCIS Immigrant Fee Handout [PDF version].

Paying the USCIS Immigrant Fee

The USCIS immigrant fee must be paid online at www.uscis.gov/file-online. In order to pay the immigrant fee, the filer must have his or her A-Number and DOS Case ID. The fee is payable by credit card (Visa, Master Card, American Express, or Discover Card), debit card, or U.S. bank checking account. An individual may have another individual pay the immigrant fee on his or her behalf.

When to Pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee

The USCIS immigrant fee may be paid before or after an individual is admitted into the United States as an LPR. The USCIS recommends paying the immigrant fee before departing for the United States, in order to “ensure that [the immigrant] will receive [his or her] Permanent Resident Card … without delay.”

After an individual is admitted to the United States in LPR status, the USCIS will check to see if the individual has paid the USCIS immigrant fee. If the individual has paid the USCIS immigrant fee, the USCIS will mail his or her Green Card to the address provided to the DOS at the time of the immigrant visa interview or to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the time of admission.

If the USCIS finds that the individual has not yet paid the immigrant fee, it will send notice with instructions on how to pay the fee.

It is important to note that provided that the individual is otherwise admissible in LPR status, he or she will be admitted regardless of whether the USCIS immigrant fee was paid. However, the individual will not receive a Green Card until after the USCIS verifies that the immigrant fee has been paid.

Upon being admitted in LPR status, the LPR will receive a stamp on his or her passport that validates his or her admission in LPR status. This stamp is valid for one year from the date of issuance. After that one-year period, the individual will need a Green Card as evidence of LPR status.

Updating Address Information

Immigrants must provide the USCIS with their current address information. In the case of receiving a Green Card after paying the USCIS immigrant fee, the USCIS will mail the Green Card to the address provided to the DOS at the immigrant visa interview or the address subsequently provided to the CBP upon admission.

The USCIS explains that an individual who plans on living at a different U.S. address immediately after being admitted into the United States than what he or she provided in the immigrant visa interview with the USCIS should either provide this information to the CBP upon admission or update his or her address information online using his or her USCIS online account.

If the individual moves after arriving in the United States, he or she must update his or her address information by visiting www.uscis.gov/addresschange or by calling the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 800-375-5283. As an additional step to ensure receipt of the Green Card, the USCIS advises immigrants to also update their addresses with the U.S. Postal Service by either visiting a local post office or visiting www.usps.com/umove.

How Much is the USCIS Immigrant Fee?

As of September 2, 2018, the USCIS immigrant fee is $220 [see article].

Individuals Exempt from the Immigrant Fee

A limited class of individuals are exempt from the USCIS Immigrant Fee. The DOS will notify an individual if he or she is exempt. In general, the following immigrants are exempt from the USCIS Immigrant Fee:

Children who enter the United States through the Orphan or Hague adoption programs;
Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants;
Returning residents (SB1s); and
Individuals who are issued K visas.

Difference Between Immigrant Fee and Form I-90

The immigrant fee is only paid by individuals who need their immigrant visa packets processed by the USCIS. If an individual needs a replacement Green Card, he or she must file the Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. This applies for individuals who have SB1 visa status and need new Green Cards (returning LPRs) [PDF version].

Conclusion

Payment of the USCIS Immigrant Fee is a necessary step toward receiving a Green Card. As the USCIS pamphlet explains, immigrants are well advised to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee prior to departing for the United States and applying for admission. However, if that is for some reason impossible, the individual may pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee after arriving in the United States. A new LPR with questions about any aspect of the immigration process may consult with an experienced immigration attorney for case-specific guidance.