Immigrant Fee Not Paying on Time

[MarcoAndMaria 4]

Hey I just wanted to know what happens when you don't pay the 165 dollar immigrant fee before leaving for the Philippines. We are currently on a tight budget because we're paying 2 tickets to go back home plus other expenses.

Will they still let him enter at JFK?

I know we would need to pay it, and we should pay it before we leave for philippines. But like I said we're kinda on a tight budget right now.

I also know that the 165 is for the production of the green card...

I just want to know if its okay we're a little late on that payment... his visa will be his temp green card for one year... and if its okay we do plan to pay the fee 1-2 weeks after entering the US.

Thanks guys.

[Darnell 8,479]

it won't matter at POE, at all - you'll be allowed to cross the border.

You have up to 1 year (from POE date) to handle the green card payment.

The VISA will serve as a 1 year TEMP I-551 document, a green card, after getting another stamp in the passport at the POE.

[Dogwood_Poet 16]

Just a thought, if you waited the full 12 months to pay the fee would you get a full two years on the green card from date of payment?

Could be a sneaky way to beat the ROC fees after two years and go straight to citizenship application.

Just thinking out loud . . .

[Darnell 8,479]

that's a great posit - lets see what fleshes out ?

[Da_Ladybug 3]

thanx for this post, it also applies to us, if we get lucky and approved all our worries is our plane tickets coz we're 4 to travel, so this means we can pay our $165 (x2) immigrant fee at later date..

Edit, Update:

How about this? I read from http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=3a2bb75e8109b310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=fe529c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

Failure to Pay

You will not receive a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) until you pay the required US$165 USCIS Immigrant Fee. Failure to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee does not affect your lawful permanent resident status, but it does affect when USCIS will be able to issue you a Green Card. You should pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee after you receive your immigrant visa package from the Department of State and before you depart for the United States.

Edited June 23, 2013 by Da_Ladybug

[Darnell 8,479]

I don't see it as any issue, as the VISA, at the POE, is endorsed.

Once endorsed, it serves as a temporary I-551 document for one year.

Sure, past a year past poe - you'll have some issue, you betcha.