USCIS Immigrant Fee: What to Do If You Didn’t Receive the Handout

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Key Takeaways

The USCIS Immigrant Fee is essential for Green Card issuance; missing instructions can be resolved by locating A-Number and DOS Case ID.
Contact the issuing U.S. embassy or consulate and use official visa documents to find necessary payment identifiers if missing.
Pay the $220 fee online, keep payment proof, monitor Green Card delivery, and promptly update your U.S. address if needed.

If you have recently been granted an immigrant visa to the United States 🇺🇸 but did not receive the USCIS Immigrant Fee handout, you might be wondering how to go forward. This handout includes vital instructions on how to pay the $220 fee required by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), as well as key pieces of information like your Alien Registration Number (A-Number) and Department of State (DOS) Case ID. Missing this document can feel stressful, but there are clear steps you can follow to resolve the issue and ensure you complete the immigration process smoothly.

The USCIS Immigrant Fee Handout: Why It Matters

The USCIS Immigrant Fee covers the costs involved in processing your visa packet and producing your Green Card. Receiving a Green Card officially confirms your status as a lawful permanent resident of the United States 🇺🇸. Without paying this fee, you will not receive the actual Green Card, creating unnecessary delays and complications in your residency process.

USCIS Immigrant Fee: What to Do If You Didn’t Receive the Handout

The handout, usually provided during your visa issuance appointment at a U.S. consulate or embassy, outlines how you can pay this fee online and provides your unique identifiers, the A-Number and DOS Case ID. Since these two pieces of information are absolutely necessary for making the payment, finding them is your priority step if the handout is missing.

Step 1: Contact the Issuing U.S. Embassy or Consulate

If you did not receive the USCIS Immigrant Fee handout, your first action is to contact the U.S. embassy or consulate where your immigrant visa was processed. Explain that you did not obtain the handout and request either a copy or clear guidance on the details needed to complete your payment.

Even if they cannot provide you with an exact handout, the consulate or embassy can confirm the details you require—especially your A-Number and DOS Case ID. Most likely, they will direct you to other documents in your possession that include this information.

Step 2: Locate Your A-Number and DOS Case ID

Your A-Number and DOS Case ID should be present on several official documents. If you are missing the handout, one of the easiest places to check is your immigrant data summary, which is typically stapled to the front of your visa packet. The top section of this document includes both the A-Number and DOS Case ID.

They also appear on your visa stamp (also called a “visa foil”) within your passport. This stamp, which validates your ability to travel to the United States 🇺🇸, displays both numbers as part of the information recorded during your visa application.

Understanding Your A-Number and DOS Case ID

A-Number: This is your Alien Registration Number, which always begins with the letter “A” followed by 8 or 9 digits. For example: A012345678. If it contains fewer than 9 digits, simply add a “0” after “A” to make it a 9-digit number (e.g., A12345678 becomes A012345678).
DOS Case ID: This identifier usually starts with three letters followed by 9 or 10 digits, like XYZ0123456789. For those with Diversity Visas, the format changes to 4 digits, 2 letters, and 5 digits (e.g., 0000AB01234).

Both numbers must be entered correctly when paying the USCIS Immigrant Fee, as errors can lead to significant processing delays.

Step 3: Schedule an Appointment if Information is Missing

If you cannot locate your A-Number using the documents provided during your visa application, you can contact an immigration services officer at a local USCIS office. To do this, schedule an appointment using the INFOPASS tool available on the USCIS website. Use this meeting to request help retrieving your A-Number, as it is a critical part of the fee payment process.

Step 4: Completing the USCIS Immigrant Fee Payment

After locating your A-Number and DOS Case ID, follow these steps to pay the $220 USCIS Immigrant Fee online:

Visit the official USCIS fee payment page at www.uscis.gov/uscis-elis.
Click on “Log In” or create an account if you do not already have one.
Select the “USCIS Immigrant Fee” option.
Enter the A-Number and DOS Case ID exactly as displayed on your documents.
Proceed to pay the $220 fee using a credit card, debit card, or other accepted online payment method.

If you have family members immigrating with you, you can pay their fees together. To do this, make sure you have each individual’s unique A-Number and DOS Case ID.

Step 5: Timing Your Payment

USCIS recommends completing the fee payment before departing for the United States 🇺🇸. However, if you travel before paying, it is still possible to make the payment afterward. Upon arrival, USCIS will send a payment reminder to the address you provided to the Department of State or to the address you confirmed with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at your port of entry.

If someone else—a friend, family member, employer, or lawyer—is paying on your behalf, they will also need your A-Number and DOS Case ID. This flexibility ensures that all immigrants can comply with the process, even if they face initial logistical barriers.

Step 6: Keep Payment Records and Track Green Card Status

After completing the fee payment:
– Print a copy of your payment transaction and store it in a safe place.
– Visit the USCIS website and use the “Check My Case Status” tool to monitor the delivery status of your Green Card.

In most cases, Green Cards are mailed within 90 days of payment. If you have not received yours by this time, use the USCIS e-Request tool or submit an online help form to resolve the delay.

Step 7: Update Your U.S Address

USCIS will only send your Green Card to the address you supplied during the visa application or your customs interview. If you plan to move soon after arriving in the U.S., it is critical to notify the CBP officer at your point of entry with your updated mailing address. Failing to do so could result in your Green Card being delivered to an inaccessible location.

If you relocate after entering the country, update your address with USCIS by either using their online portal or by calling the National Customer Service Center. Additionally, it is wise to inform the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to stop any misdelivery.

Exemptions from the USCIS Immigrant Fee

Certain immigrants are not required to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee. These include:
– Children in the Orphan or Hague adoption program.
– Iraqi and Afghan applicants under special visa categories.
– Returning residents (SB-1 visa holders).
– Individuals issued K visas.

The Department of State will let you know during your visa application process if you fall under any of these exemptions.

Consequences of Not Paying the Fee

Make it a priority to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee well before your entry stamp expires. This admission stamp, granted by CBP when you arrive in the U.S., is only valid for one year. Should it expire before receiving your Green Card, you may face challenges proving your permanent resident status.

Final Checklist: What to Do If You Didn’t Receive the Handout

Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate to request guidance.
Locate your A-Number and DOS Case ID on your visa packet documents or visa stamp.
Schedule a USCIS appointment if you cannot find these details.
Pay the $220 USCIS Immigrant Fee online.
Print your payment receipt and track your Green Card shipment.
Update your address if you move after arriving.

By completing these steps, you align yourself with the requirements of the U.S. immigration system. VisaVerge.com’s analysis emphasizes that ensuring correct details and timely payments protects you from unnecessary processing delays. For more authoritative information, visit the official USCIS website.

If you didn’t receive your USCIS Immigrant Fee handout, there are steps you can take to find the required information and successfully pay the $220 fee necessary to process your Green Card.

Why it matters:
Without paying the USCIS Immigrant Fee, the government won’t issue your Green Card. This fee covers visa packet processing and production of the card, which proves your lawful permanent resident status.

The big picture:
The USCIS Immigrant Fee handout is typically given at your U.S. embassy or consulate visa appointment. It includes your Alien Registration Number (A-Number) and Department of State (DOS) Case ID, which are required for payment.

If you didn’t receive the handout:
– Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate that issued your visa to request a copy or obtain the necessary details.
– Locate your A-Number and DOS Case ID on other documents, such as:
– Your immigrant data summary (stapled to your visa packet).
– The visa stamp (foil) in your passport.

By the numbers:
– A-Number: A unique 9-digit identifier starting with “A” (e.g., A012345678). For 8-digit numbers, add a zero after the “A.”
– DOS Case ID: Typically three letters followed by nine or ten numbers (e.g., XYZ0123456789). Diversity Visa immigrants have a different format (e.g., 0000AB01234).

What they’re saying:
“If you’re unable to locate your A-Number, you can visit a USCIS office and request assistance from an immigration services officer,” according to official USCIS guidance. Use the INFOPASS online scheduler to book an appointment.

Yes, but:
You won’t receive your Green Card until the $220 fee is paid. If you’ve already entered the U.S., you may still pay online, and USCIS will send instructions if your fee remains unpaid.

How to pay:
1. Go to the USCIS website: www.uscis.gov/uscis-elis.
2. Select “USCIS Immigrant Fee” and log in.
3. Enter your A-Number and DOS Case ID.
4. Pay the $220 fee online.

You can also pay for family members at the same time if you have their A-Number and DOS Case ID.

Pro tip:
Print and save a copy of the receipt for your records.

If you haven’t received your Green Card:
– Contact USCIS if you don’t get your Green Card within 90 days of entering the U.S. or paying the fee.
– Use the USCIS e-request tool or submit an online help form for assistance.

Keep your address updated:
Update your mailing address with USCIS and the U.S. Postal Service if you plan to move after arriving in the U.S.

The bottom line:
If you didn’t receive the USCIS Immigrant Fee handout, don’t worry. Reach out to the embassy or consulate, find your A-Number and DOS Case ID, and pay the fee online to avoid delays. Timely payment ensures your Green Card is processed, confirming your lawful permanent resident status in the U.S.

Learn Today

USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services): A U.S. government agency handling immigration, including processing visas, Green Cards, and citizenship applications.
A-Number (Alien Registration Number): A unique identifier starting with “A” followed by eight or nine digits, used for tracking immigration records.
DOS Case ID: A unique identifier issued by the Department of State during the visa application process, essential for fee payments.
Visa Stamp (Visa Foil): An official stamp in a passport authorizing travel to the U.S., often containing critical immigration identifiers.
INFOPASS: An online tool for scheduling appointments with USCIS immigration officers to resolve issues like missing documentation or information.

This Article in a Nutshell

Lost your USCIS Immigrant Fee handout? Don’t panic! Key details like your A-Number and DOS Case ID can be found on your visa packet or passport stamp. Contact the issuing U.S. embassy if needed, then pay the $220 fee online. Timely payment ensures your Green Card delivery without delays—act now!
— By VisaVerge.com