The United States government has clarified that some immigrants who receive approved visas are exempt from paying the USCIS Immigrant Fee before obtaining their Green Cards.

The fee is generally required for new lawful permanent residents and covers the processing of immigrant visa packets as well as the production of Permanent Resident Cards.

According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), five categories of immigrants are currently exempt from the payment.

Foreigners exempt from the USCIS immigrant fee

The exempt categories include:

Children entering the US through orphan or Hague adoption programmes.

Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants.

Certain Afghan nationals covered by the exemption period.

Returning lawful permanent residents, also known as SB-1 visa holders.

K non-immigrants.

USCIS said immigrants who are not covered by any of the exemptions are required to pay the fee in order to receive their Green Card.

The agency advised eligible immigrants to make the payment after collecting their immigrant visa from the US Department of State and before travelling to America. However, payment can also be made after arrival in the country.

Failure to pay the required fee could delay the production and delivery of the Permanent Resident Card. In such circumstances, USCIS may send the immigrant a notice containing instructions on how to complete the payment.

USCIS also allows a third party to pay the immigrant’s fee for someone unable to make the payment themselves.

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.

Immigrants are advised to confirm whether they qualify for an exemption before making payment to avoid unnecessary delays in the Green Card process.

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