US Exempts Five Categories of Immigrants From USCIS Fee (See List)

The United States government has clarified that certain immigrants with approved visas do not have to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee before receiving their Green Cards.

The fee is generally charged to new lawful permanent residents and is used to process immigrant visa information and produce Permanent Resident Cards.

However, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has identified five categories of immigrants who are exempt from paying the fee.

Those covered by the exemptions include children entering the United States through orphan or Hague adoption programmes.

Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants are also exempt from the payment.

Certain Afghan nationals who fall within the applicable exemption period are equally not required to pay the fee.

Returning lawful permanent residents, commonly known as SB-1 visa holders, are another exempt category.

K non-immigrants are also included among those who do not have to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee.

Immigrants who do not fall into any of these categories are required to pay the applicable fee as part of the process of obtaining their Green Cards.

USCIS advises immigrants who are required to pay the fee to do so after receiving their immigrant visa from the US Department of State and before travelling to the United States.

However, payment can also be completed after arriving in the country.

The agency warned that failure to pay the required fee could result in delays in the production and delivery of the Permanent Resident Card.

Where an immigrant fails to make the payment, USCIS may issue a notice explaining how the outstanding fee can be paid.

The agency also allows another person to make the payment on behalf of an immigrant who is unable to complete the transaction personally.

A family member, friend, employer, lawyer or accredited representative can make the payment using the immigrant’s Alien Number (A-Number) and Department of State Case ID.

USCIS advised immigrants to establish whether they qualify for one of the exemptions before making any payment, helping them avoid unnecessary complications or delays in the Green Card process.