New Uscis Immigrant Fee Implemented Beginning February 1, 2013

New fee allows USCIS to recover the costs of processing immigrant visas after individuals receive their visa packages from the Department of State abroad

WASHINGTON—On Feb. 1, 2013,U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin collecting a new USCIS Immigrant Fee of $165 from foreign nationals seeking permanent residence in the United States. This new fee was established in USCIS’s final rule adjusting fees for immigration applications and petitions announced on Sept. 24, 2010.

USCIS has worked closely with the Department of State (DOS) to implement the new fee which allows USCIS to recover the costs of processing immigrant visas in the United States after immigrant visa holders receive their visa packages from DOS. This includes staff time to handle, file and maintain the immigrant visa package, and the cost of producing and delivering the permanent resident card. The implementation of this new fee is further detailed in a Federal Register notice scheduled for publication tomorrow.

In order to simplify and centralize the payment process, applicants will pay online through the USCIS website after they receive their visa package from DOS and before they depart for the United States. DOS will provide applicants with specific information on how to submit payment when they attend their consular interview. The new fee is in addition to fees charged by DOS associated with an individual’s immigrant visa application.

USCIS processes approximately 36,000 immigrant visa packages each month. Prospective adoptive parents whose child will enter the United States under the Orphan or Hague processes are exempt from the new fee.

For more information visit our USCIS Immigrant Fee webpage.

For general information on USCIS and its programs, please visit www.uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis) and the USCIS blog The Beacon.

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Immigrant Visas

Immigrant visas (IV), also known as "green cards," allow the holder to relocate to the U.S.  It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to qualify for the appropriate visa in time to suit travel plans.

• U.S. citizens and lawful permanent resident (LPR) petitioners must file the I-130 Form, Petition for Alien Relative, at the USCIS Service Center with jurisdiction over their place of U.S. residence. 
• U.S. employers must file the I-140 Form, Petition for Alien Worker, based on where the immigrant will permanently work in the United States.  

The Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service recently issued new rules that restrict the filing of I-130 petitions overseas.  The information below explains these changes.  Please read it carefully if you are considering filing a petition for an alien relative to immigrate to the United States.

Beginning August 15, 2011, petitioners residing overseas who wish to file a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, may do so as follows:

• If the petitioner resides in a country in which USCIS has a public counter presence, the Form I-130 may be filed directly with the USCIS field office (For more information on USCIS overseas field offices and contact information, please visit International Immigration Offices) or through the USCIS Chicago Lockbox at one of the addresses below.

• If the petitioner resides in a country where USCIS does not have a public counter presence, the Form I-130 must be filed with the USCIS Chicago Lockbox at one of the addresses below, unless the petitioner requests and is granted an exception based on one of the criteria described below:

USCIS Chicago Lockbox addresses for regular mail deliveries:

USCIS
P.O. Box 804625
Chicago, IL 60680-4107

USCIS Chicago Lockbox address for express mail and courier deliveries:

USCIS
Attn: I-130
131 South Dearborn-3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517

For additional information about how to file a Form I-130 with the USCIS Chicago lockbox, please see the USCIS website or contact USCIS by phone at 1-800-375-5283.

Immigrant Visa (IV) applicants are seen in Jakarta as follows:

• IV applicants are seen by appointment only.
• Pick up Reentry Permit (I-327) Monday – Friday at window #5, at 2.30pm.
• Abandonment of LPR Status (I-407) is by appointment at jakiv@state.gov.
• Lost Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-551) and Request for a Transportation letter are by appointment at jakiv@state.gov.

Contact Information:

• Facsimile 62-21 385-7189.
• Telephone inquiries 62-21 3435-9052/9053, Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 11:00am.
• Email jakiv@state.gov.