How to Pay USCIS Fees: A Step-by-Step Guide

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) charges fees to cover the cost of processing various immigration forms and services. Knowing the fee structure and understanding exemptions and waivers are crucial for applicants.

USCIS fees vary based on the type of form or service being requested. For instance, the USCIS Immigrant Fee is $220.00 and is generally required for an immigrant visa holder who is obtaining a Green Card after arriving in the United States. The fee structure is designed to recover the costs associated with the immigrant visas issued by U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad. Incorrect fees may result in rejection of the application.

• Form Filing Fees: Each immigration form has a designated filing fee that must be paid when the application is submitted.
• Biometric Services Fees: Some applications may require an additional charge for biometric services such as fingerprinting.

Important: Fees are subject to change, and it is essential to verify the current rates before making a payment.

Certain applicants may be eligible for a fee waiver or exemption based on specific criteria or categories outlined by USCIS.

• Fee Waivers: Applicants who can demonstrate an inability to pay may have their fees waived for certain forms and services. To obtain a fee waiver, an applicant must submit Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, or a written request.
• Fee Exemptions: Some categories of immigrants are not required to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee. These include:
  • Children entering the United States under the orphan or Hague adoption programs
  • Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants
  • Afghan nationals through a specified date
  • Returning lawful permanent residents (SB-1s)
  • K nonimmigrants (fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens)

Note: Fee exemptions are typically granted based on the immigration category and do not require a separate application.

When preparing to pay USCIS fees, one must ensure that they have all the necessary information ready and are aware of the available payment methods.

Individuals must collect the following details before proceeding with payment:

• A-Number: This is an Alien Registration Number, consisting of the letter “A” followed by 8 or 9 numbers.
• DOS Case ID: A unique identifier provided by the Department of State comprising 3 letters followed by 9 or 10 numbers.
• Immigrant Data Summary: A summary sheet that may be part of the immigrant visa packet.
• Sealed Immigrant Visa Packet: Provided by the U.S. embassy or consulate, and shouldn’t be opened by the applicant.

One should receive instructions for paying the USCIS Immigrant Fee as well as the above documents from the U.S. embassy or consulate.

USCIS payments can be made using one of the following electronic methods:

• Credit Card Payment: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
• ACH (Automated Clearing House): An electronic funds transfer from a U.S. bank account.

Payments must be submitted online through Pay.gov, which is managed by the Department of Treasury. It’s important to have the banking information or credit card details at hand when initiating the payment process.

When paying USCIS filing fees online, applicants have the choice to use the USCIS Electronic Immigration System or submit electronic payments through other approved methods.

The USCIS Electronic Immigration System allows applicants to pay their fees for various immigration forms and services. Payment can usually be made using a checking account or a credit card. Applicants should have their A-Number and DOS Case ID ready when paying the USCIS Immigrant Fee, as these identify the individual’s case and ensure proper credit of their payment.

• Required Information:
  • A-Number (Alien Registration Number)
  • DOS Case ID (Department of State Case ID)

Submitting electronic payments, such as credit card or Automated Clearing House (ACH) transactions, can be made through Pay.gov. This is a secure service operated by the Department of Treasury. The information needed to process a payment is voluntary, but necessary to complete the transaction.

• Methods of Electronic Payments:
  • Credit Card
  • Automated Clearing House (ACH)

When paying USCIS fees by mail, applicants must ensure that they include all necessary documentation, use the correct form of payment, and address their package properly to avoid delays in processing.

Applicants must include the appropriate form related to their application or petition when sending payments by mail. They should provide all pages of the form, without stapling any documents, to facilitate handling by USCIS.

USCIS accepts various forms of payment by mail:

• Personal checks: Must be drawn on a U.S. bank.
• Cashier’s checks
• Money orders: Should be payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Do not use abbreviations.

Note: Cash payments are not accepted and can result in the return of your application or petition.

The payment and accompanying documents should be sent to the address listed on the specific USCIS form instructions that the applicant is submitting. It is critical that they use the correct mailing address, which may differ depending on whether they are using the United States Postal Service (USPS) or a courier service such as UPS, FedEx, or DHL. Ensure that the address is clear and legible, with the correct postage, to prevent misrouting or return of the mail.

Applicants often face challenges with USCIS fee payments. This section delineates common issues and outlines practical resolutions.

Applicants can check the status of their USCIS fee payments by accessing the USCIS online account. It’s essential to ensure that the fee has been received to avoid delays in processing. If the status is unclear, applicants should contact USCIS customer service at 1.800.375.5283 for clarification.

Overpayments may occur due to input errors or misunderstandings of the fee amounts. The USCIS will issue refunds for overpayments without the need for an applicant request. Underpayments, however, will result in a notice and the suspension of application processing. Applicants must pay the outstanding balance promptly, following the provided instructions to resolve the underpayment.

When a payment to USCIS is rejected, applicants will receive a notification with the reason for rejection. Common reasons include:

• Incorrect account information
• Insufficient funds
• Bank declines

Applicants must rectify the issue with their financial institution or payment method. Once resolved, they should submit a new payment following the USCIS payment guidelines. Failure to address payment rejections quickly can lead to delays in application processing.

After an individual submits payment for USCIS fees, there are specific procedural steps and confirmations to expect. These serve as an acknowledgment of payment and a guide towards the subsequent phases of the immigration process.

Once payment is successfully processed, the payee should receive a Receipt Notice from USCIS. This document confirms the receipt of the payment and includes a unique receipt number which is essential for tracking the progress of the application or petition. It is crucial to:

• Retain the Receipt Notice as proof of payment.
• Note the receipt number, as it’s required for future inquiries and status updates.

After receiving confirmation of payment, the individual’s application or petition moves forward in the USCIS processing queue. They should:

1. Await further instructions or requests for additional information from USCIS.
2. Monitor their case status online using the receipt number.
3. Prepare for any additional steps, such as biometrics appointments, interviews, or submission of supplementary documents.

It’s important to respond promptly to any USCIS correspondence to avoid delays in the immigration process.