How to Pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee After a Green Card
The USCIS Immigrant Fee is a fee paid after your immigrant visa is approved that pays for producing and mailing your physical green card; it is generally paid online through a USCIS account, and if it is not paid, the card is not produced. This fee is one of the final steps for people who get a green card through consular processing, and it is generally recommended that you pay it after the visa is issued, before or shortly after entering the United States. Because fee amounts can change, you should check the current information before paying.
This guide explains how to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee. It connects to our guides on the documentarily qualified process y USCIS change of address.
Need help with the USCIS Immigrant Fee? Atlas Legal can help. Contact our team.
Principales conclusiones
- The USCIS Immigrant Fee pays for producing the physical green card.
- It is paid after the visa is approved.
- It is generally paid online through a USCIS account.
- If it is not paid, the card is not produced or mailed.
- Fee amounts can change, so check current information.
What This Guide Covers
- What the USCIS Immigrant Fee is
- Who pays it
- How to pay
- When to pay
- What happens if unpaid
- Frequently asked questions
What the USCIS Immigrant Fee Is
The USCIS Immigrant Fee is a fee associated with producing and mailing the physical green card for people who come to the U.S. with an immigrant visa. For people getting a green card through consular processing, this fee is paid as one of the final steps.
When the fee is paid, USCIS produces your green card and mails it to your U.S. address. So this fee is important for physically receiving your card.
Who Pays It
The USCIS Immigrant Fee generally applies to people who obtain an immigrant visa through consular processing abroad and come to the U.S. These people pay this fee for the card to be produced after getting the visa.
The process is different for people who get a green card through adjustment of status inside the U.S., and this fee may not apply the same way. So the USCIS Immigrant Fee is an important step especially for immigrants coming through consular processing. Our consular process guide explains the general flow.
How to Pay
The USCIS Immigrant Fee is generally paid online through a USCIS account. You enter the required information and pay the fee securely online.
| Step | Explanation |
|---|---|
| USCIS account | Access through an online account |
| Enter information | Required identity and case information |
| Payment | Pay the fee online |
| Confirmation | Keep the payment confirmation |
Because the details of the payment process can change, checking current instructions and the fee amount is important. Keeping the payment confirmation is also good practice.
Need help with the payment steps? Ask Atlas Legal.
When to Pay
The USCIS Immigrant Fee is generally recommended to be paid after the immigrant visa is issued, before or shortly after entering the United States. Paying the fee on time helps your card be produced and mailed without delay.
Delaying payment can delay the production and delivery of your card. So it is important to consider this fee after getting the visa and pay it at the right time. Making sure your address is correct is also necessary so the card reaches the right place.
What Happens If Unpaid
If the USCIS Immigrant Fee is not paid, your physical green card is generally not produced or mailed. Even though your permanent resident status begins when you enter the U.S., paying this fee is required to receive your card.
Without the card, documenting your status and providing proof in situations like travel can be difficult. So paying the fee is important for having physical proof of your status. If payment has not been made, completing it as soon as possible lets you receive your card.
When to Work With an Immigration Attorney
Payment is usually simple, but questions can arise. Legal help is valuable when you have trouble with the payment process, when your card does not arrive within the expected time, when you have doubts about your address or account, or when you want to understand how the process proceeds. An attorney can help you track the process. Outcomes depend on the facts of each case.
Preguntas frecuentes
What is the USCIS Immigrant Fee?
The USCIS Immigrant Fee is a fee associated with producing and mailing the physical green card for people who come to the U.S. with an immigrant visa. For people getting a green card through consular processing, it is paid as one of the final steps. When the fee is paid, USCIS produces your green card and mails it to your U.S. address. So this fee is important for physically receiving your card. If it is not paid, the card is generally not produced, so paying it on time matters.
How do I pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee?
The USCIS Immigrant Fee is generally paid online through a USCIS account. You enter the required identity and case information and pay the fee securely online. Because the details of the payment process and the fee amount can change over time, checking current instructions and the amount is important. Keeping the payment confirmation is also good practice. If you are unsure how the process works, following USCIS’s current instructions or getting guidance helps you complete the payment correctly.
When should I pay it?
The USCIS Immigrant Fee is generally recommended to be paid after the immigrant visa is issued, before or shortly after entering the United States. Paying the fee on time helps your card be produced and mailed without delay. Delaying payment can delay the production and delivery of your card. So it is important to consider this fee after getting the visa and pay it at the right time. Making sure your address is correct is also necessary so the card reaches the right place.
What if I do not pay the fee?
If the USCIS Immigrant Fee is not paid, your physical green card is generally not produced or mailed. Even though your permanent resident status begins when you enter the U.S., paying this fee is required to receive your card. Without the card, documenting your status and providing proof in situations like travel can be difficult. So paying the fee is important for having physical proof of your status. If payment has not been made, completing it as soon as possible lets you receive your card.
Do people who adjust status also pay this fee?
The USCIS Immigrant Fee generally applies to people who obtain an immigrant visa through consular processing abroad and come to the U.S. The process is different for people who get a green card through adjustment of status inside the U.S., and this fee may not apply the same way, because their process involves different steps inside the U.S. So the USCIS Immigrant Fee is an important step especially for immigrants coming through consular processing. Understanding which process applies to you helps you know which fees are relevant.
How much is the fee?
The amount of the USCIS Immigrant Fee is set by the government and can change over time, so rather than stating a specific figure here, you should check the current amount before paying. Because fees are periodically updated, relying on old information can lead to paying an incorrect amount. Confirming the current fee from official USCIS information is the most reliable approach. That way you pay the correct amount and help your card be produced without delay. It is helpful to account for this fee among your other costs when planning.
What if my card does not arrive?
If your card does not arrive within a reasonable time after paying the fee, first check that your address is correct and current, since a wrong address can prevent delivery. If you need to update your address, do so through the proper process. Keeping your payment confirmation also helps. If the card still does not arrive, you may need to follow up and, if necessary, contact USCIS. Our separate guides on change of address and service requests can help with the steps to take in similar situations.
Bottom Line
The USCIS Immigrant Fee is paid after your immigrant visa is approved and pays for producing and mailing your physical green card. It is generally paid online through a USCIS account, and if unpaid, the card is not produced. Fee amounts can change, so check current information. Each case depends on its own facts.
If you need help with the USCIS Immigrant Fee, Atlas Legal Immigration Law can help. Reach us at 1750 E Golf Rd Ste 214, Schaumburg, IL 60173, call (+1) 872 382 2762, or email info@theatlaslegal.com. Learn more on our services page.
Reviewed by the Atlas Legal Immigration Law editorial team. Last reviewed on July 30, 2026.
Sources
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS Immigrant Fee
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Carta Verde
- U.S. Department of State, After the Interview
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws, government fees, policies, and processing times may change. Reading this article or contacting Atlas Legal does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship. The outcome of any immigration matter depends on its individual facts and circumstances.
