Did You Pay $220 USCIS Immigrant Fee?
As of February 1, 2013, a new Immigrant Visa Fee is implemented, accordingly, new Immigrants who had received an immigrant visa from the Department of State need to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee online before departing for the United States. If failed to pay, will not receive a Permanent Resident Card also known as a Green Card until required US$220 USCIS Immigrant Fee is paid. Failure to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee does not affect a lawful permanent resident status, but it does affect when USCIS will be able to issue a Green Card. An immigrant should pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee after receipt of an immigrant visa package from the Department of State and before departure for the United States. Payment must be done online. An immigrant may pay for himself and for any family members who will reside with an immigrant in the USA.
People such as Children who enter the United States under the Orphan or Hague adoption programs, Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants, returning residents (SB-1s), and those issued K visas, are the only categories exempt from paying the fee.
If an immigrant is unable to pay the fee before his/her departure, he/she must pay this fee after arrival in the United States. If there is no record of payment in USCIS ELIS following admission to the United States, USCIS will send a Request for Payment, which will include instructions on paying the fee. Please note that USCIS will not issue a Permanent Resident Card until the fee is paid to the USCIS.