So like many posts I have read on these boards, the new fees are troublesome to pay. So I guess I wanted to get some thoughts on the best way to pay the fees.

My wife (the USC) and I (GC Holder) will nto be able to afford to pay cash/check for it come january 01, the earliest date I can apply. How long can we wait for me to still be able to get the receipt with the year extension on it. I realize what I am asking, I'm not expecting an accurate number here. Just a ballpark. If we could wait till feburay when we have got our tax refund, then that would be good. Mine is the sole income for us at the moment, so my being out of work is our of the questions

Alternatively is there any way to pay for the fees by credit card?

dakotalimey

P.S. I forgot to come back and thank the people who answered my previosu questions. So thank you very much!!!

If I'm reading your signature correctly your 2-year conditional greencard got approved Mar 30, 2006. This means you're eligible to file form i751 on any day within 90 days of the expiration date of your greencard, which gives a rough timeframe from:
Dec 31, 2007 - Mar 30, 2008
You can file any time within this timeframe.

I don't think you can pay by credit card, but since you already know you have to come up with the amount in the near future, how about you put your other expenses on credit card and this way free up money for the USCIS fee.

All I know is that the 90 day period for me to file was 7/27 and I wanted to wait for my son to be born and to have his birth certificate as evidence so I waited to file until 9/7. I got everything else ready and as soon as I had it went to the post office. Maybe you could do the same?

As far as I know the only way to pay the fee is check or money order the service centre do not take credit cards.

I would say not to wait until the complete last mintue as the post office can be unrliable and you would not want your application to get lost and miss the fileing date.

Hope that helps you decide.

Hi Dakota, long time no see! The others have probably answered your question so I will just agree with them that so long as you file in the 90 day time frame that will be fine. It seems to have been taking about a month from filing on average to receive the NOA1 and getting the check cashed. The NOA1 acts as a 1 year extension to Perm Res card, so I would probably advise that you file at least one month before your card expires if you have a particularly picky employer.

Thank you everybody for your replies. Hopefully, I can get my NOA1 in time.

It's probably not the best option but how about a cash advance on a credit card? Just an idea. Or maybe you can start budgeting $100/month or so starting this month?

I would apply as soon as you are able/eligible; you just never know how long they will be taking for NOA's at that point.

Good Luck!