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Consulate is asking for an "interview fee"??

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Greece
Timeline

VJers help!
I was going through all the emails from the Embassy about our appointment, to make sure I haven't missed something and I noticed this:

"The total fee for an immigrant visa is: $325 in United States currency payable at our cashier on the day of the interview. You may pay the fees in U.S. dollars or the equivalent in Euros at the current exchange rate. Please note this rate is subject to change on a monthly basis.

Please find attached the medical instructions.

If we may be of further assistance to you in this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Regards,

Immigrant Visa Unit

U.S. Embassy

Athens, Greece"

Here is the thing. When we filed our I-130s, we paid $420 each, is this ANOTHER fee we need to pay?? What was the $420 for?
I thought I only to pay $165 per person for the green card IF we got approved.
I have mailed the Embassy too, but won't hear back until Monday, interview is Wednesday! I need to come up with that money if need be. And is this per person??? Or what?

Thank you so much once again!!!

Click "spoiler" below for a detailed account of our journey to a CR1 visa via DCF in Athens, Greece.

 

2011 - Met hubby online and became friends
Early 2013 - Confessed our love for each other * Late 2013 - I got pregnant with our daughter
2014 - Our baby was born in Athens, Greece and completed our family. We now have two boys and a girl!! 2013 - 2015 - Looking for jobs in Greece, none were available (due to socioeconomic crisis) 2015 - Decided only way to feed our family was to immigrate and started the process December 2015 - Got married (Greece has a LOT of red tape for foreigners marrying Greeks)
January 2016 - Finished gathering all documents and getting them translated
* * DCF in Athens, Greece * *

28th January 2016 - Finally filed I-130s
29th June - ISSUED!!!!!!1st July - Visa packages and passports delivered to DHL.4th July - Visas in hand! CU in two weeks USA!!
19th July- POE Detroit. All went well!! (excluding our screaming, jet lagged toddler!!)

 

After Arrival in the US

September 2016 - Hubby is diagnosed with congestive heart failure
October - February 2016 - Battle with drug use, overdosing, bringing home a tiny paycheck

March - July 2017 - I am working 80 hr weeks to make ends meet. Discovered hubby's affair. Still overdoses and is hospitalized. Has quit working all together.
July - October 2017 - Marriage counseling. Revealed hubby has "several" mental conditions. Is started on several mental meds.

October 2017 - Got accepted for a college course. Got better job to help raise my kids.

October 2017 - March 2018 - Situation at home is toxic. He files for divorce.

July 2018 - Divorce is final. I have full custody of our daughter.

 

ROC (GC expires July 19th 2018)

July 16th - Package for ROC is delivered to the CA service center (divorce waiver).

August 30th - NOA1 received with 18 month extension (fee waiver approved).

March 28th 2019 - Biometrics

August 8th 2019 - Case Approved No RFE No Interview - 10 year GC in production

N400 (Online - Detroit, MI office)
June 6th 2023 - Applied for naturalization under 5 year rule.
June 7th 2023 - Application received/Biometric will be reused.
June 16th - Interview scheduled.
July 27th - Upcoming interview.



**Our DCF journey to an IV took 5 months and 1 day from turning in the I-130 to getting "Issued"**


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The initial $420 was for the processing of the i-130 petition. That is separate from the actual immigrant visa, which is what the $325 is for... and yes, I do believe that is per person.

Edited by xmaricrisx

USCIS Process:
Sent I-130 (via USPS): February 20, 2016
NOA1 hardcopy received: February 26, 2016
NOA2 approval text & email: May 6, 2016 (71 days from NOA1)
Petition sent to NVC text & email: May 11, 2016

NVC Process:
Case number and IIN Assigned: May 26, 2016
Choice of Agent (DS-261) completed: May 27, 2016
AOS Fee Invoiced: May 27, 2016
Pay AOS Fee: May 27, 2016
AOS Fee appeared as PAID: June 2, 2016
IV Fee Invoiced: June 3, 2016
Pay IV Fee: June 3, 2016
IV Fee appeared as PAID: June 6, 2016
IV application (DS-260) completed: June 7, 2016
Sent AOS & IV packets (via FedEx): June 8, 2016
Scan date: June 9, 2016
CC: July 14, 2016 (FINALLY saw 3rd N/A... 35 days after scan date)
Confirmation of CC email received: July 21, 2016
Interview date received over the phone: July 26, 2016

Interview Process:
Interview letter/P4 received via email: August 5, 2016
Medical Exam (@SLEC): August 3-4, 2016

Sputum samples given: August 15-17, 2016

Pulmo Consultation: August 18, 2016 (sputum smear is NEGATIVE!)

Results of sputum culture: October 12, 2016 (NEGATIVE!)

Completed: October 17, 2016
Interview date: October 24, 2016 (APPROVED! case status ISSUED the same day) :content:

Visa ready for pickup @MOA (via 2GO tracking): October 26, 2016

Visa in hand: October 27, 2016

Pay Greencard Fee: October 27, 2016

POE: November 6, 2016 (L)

SSN received (via USPS): November 14, 2016

10-year Greencard received (via USPS): December 17, 2016 (41 days after POE) :dance:

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Is this fee in addition to the 265 we have to pay to set up the biometrics appointment and interview???

:girlwerewolf2xn: Ana (L) Felix :wub:

K1 March Filer 2016

Interview Approved August 19, 2016

POE September 25, 2016

AOS November Filer 2016

DISCLAIMER: Please excuse my ABC & Gramm@r I am not an editor...

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Filed: F-2A Visa Country: Nepal
Timeline

$420 is just for i130 processing and is paid to USCIS. $325 is for Visa application process. $165 is for GC after visa is approved. Seems like the fee of #325 wasn't paid to NVC while filing the visa application online? In that case, per the letter, you have to pay that during the interview.

Spouse:

2015-06-16: I-130 Sent

2015-08-17: I-130 approved

2015-09-23: NVC received file

2015-10-05: NVC assigned Case number, Invoice ID & Beneficiary ID

2016-06-30: DS-261 completed, AOS Fee Paid, WL received

2016-07-05: Received IV invoice, IV Fee Paid

2016-07-06: DS-260 Submitted

2016-07-07: AOS and IV Package mailed

2016-07-08: NVC Scan

2016-08-08: Case Complete

2017-06-30: Interview, approved

2017-07-04: Visa in hand

2017-08-01: Entry to US

.

.

.

.

Myself:

2016-05-10: N-400 Sent

2016-05-16: N-400 NOA1

2016-05-26: Biometrics

2017-01-30: Interview

2017-03-02: Oath Ceremony

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Hi Marienne,

Since you went the route of DCF in Athens, Greece you skipped the entire USCIS and NVC process and filed straight thru your country's US consulate. As such, the fees associated with your i130 petition will still be in effect which are stated below:

1. US$420 - Filing fee for i130 petition (per applicant)

2. US$120 - Agent of choice fee (covers all applicants; may not apply in your DCF instance)

3. US$325 - Immigrant Visa fee; to b paid at the consulate since you skipped the NVC stage (per applicant)

4. US$165 - Green card fee; to be paid before/after POE in USA (per applicant)

Other unstated fees will be for personal expenses such as visa-specific photos, medical examination, evidence packaging, etc.

So...if you don't have the money to pay for the visas, then you can't get them and your case may be placed in AP until you do.

IR-1/CR-1
Spoiler

GOT MARRIED: 3-APR-2015 :wub:

HUSBAND FILED I-130: 29-MAY-2015

VISAS APPROVED: 15-JUN-2016

VISAS IN HAND; GREEN CARD FEES PAID: 21-JUN-2016

PORT OF ENTRY - FT. LAUDERDALE INTL AIRPORT: 06-AUG-2016
CONDITIONAL GREEN CARDS RECEIVED: 23-SEP-2016
 
I-751 FILER   
Spoiler
FILED REMOVAL OF CONDITIONS: 25-JUN-2018
FILE SENT TO NEBRASKA SERVICE CENTER 11-MAY-2019
10-YR GREEN CARDS APPROVED 17-JUN-2019 
10-YR GREEN CARDS RECEIVED 21-JUN-2019 :dance: 

N-400 FILER
Spoiler
FILED CITIZENSHIP ONLINE; RECEIVED NOA1: 8-DEC-2019
BIOMETRICS WALK-IN: 18-DEC-2019
INTERVIEW SCHEDULED: 26-OCT-2020
APPROVED/SAME DAY OATH CEREMONY: 26-OCT-2020
 
US PASSPORT
APPLICATION APPOINTMENT AT USPS (ROUTINE): 16-SEP-2021
PASSPORT APPROVED: 30-SEP-2021
PASSPORT RECEIVED: 5-OCT-2021
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Filed: Timeline

Hi Marienne,

Since you went the route of DCF in Athens, Greece you skipped the entire USCIS and NVC process and filed straight thru your country's US consulate. As such, the fees associated with your i130 petition will still be in effect which are stated below:

1. US$420 - Filing fee for i130 petition (per applicant)

2. US$120 - Agent of choice fee (covers all applicants; may not apply in your DCF instance)

3. US$325 - Immigrant Visa fee; to b paid at the consulate since you skipped the NVC stage (per applicant)

4. US$165 - Green card fee; to be paid before/after POE in USA (per applicant)

Other unstated fees will be for personal expenses such as visa-specific photos, medical examination, evidence packaging, etc.

So...if you don't have the money to pay for the visas, then you can't get them and your case may be placed in AP until you do.

What does this agent of choice mean?

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What does this agent of choice mean?

The Agent of Choice is the person or institution who is assigned by the petitioner (US Citizen) for the NVC and embassy to contact as the case progresses forward. This person can either be the US Citizen themselves with the applicants as a secondary contact OR it can be an immigration attorney if the applicants decide on using an attorney for their case.

By the way, is there a reason why you are choosing to start your Cr1/Ir1 visa in Oct 2016?

Edited by Amadia
IR-1/CR-1
Spoiler

GOT MARRIED: 3-APR-2015 :wub:

HUSBAND FILED I-130: 29-MAY-2015

VISAS APPROVED: 15-JUN-2016

VISAS IN HAND; GREEN CARD FEES PAID: 21-JUN-2016

PORT OF ENTRY - FT. LAUDERDALE INTL AIRPORT: 06-AUG-2016
CONDITIONAL GREEN CARDS RECEIVED: 23-SEP-2016
 
I-751 FILER   
Spoiler
FILED REMOVAL OF CONDITIONS: 25-JUN-2018
FILE SENT TO NEBRASKA SERVICE CENTER 11-MAY-2019
10-YR GREEN CARDS APPROVED 17-JUN-2019 
10-YR GREEN CARDS RECEIVED 21-JUN-2019 :dance: 

N-400 FILER
Spoiler
FILED CITIZENSHIP ONLINE; RECEIVED NOA1: 8-DEC-2019
BIOMETRICS WALK-IN: 18-DEC-2019
INTERVIEW SCHEDULED: 26-OCT-2020
APPROVED/SAME DAY OATH CEREMONY: 26-OCT-2020
 
US PASSPORT
APPLICATION APPOINTMENT AT USPS (ROUTINE): 16-SEP-2021
PASSPORT APPROVED: 30-SEP-2021
PASSPORT RECEIVED: 5-OCT-2021
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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Hungary
Timeline

In short: yes, you have to pay this fee and yes, it's per person.

Entry on VWP to visit then-boyfriend 06/13/2011

Married 06/24/2011

Our first son was born 10/31/2012, our daughter was born 06/30/2014, our second son was born 06/20/2017

AOS Timeline

AOS package mailed 09/06/2011 (Chicago Lockbox)

AOS package signed for by R Mercado 09/07/2011

Priority date for I-485&I-130 09/08/2011

Biometrics done 10/03/2011

Interview letter received 11/18/2011

INTERVIEW DATE!!!! 12/20/2011

Approval e-mail 12/21/2011

Card production e-mail 12/27/2011

GREEN CARD ARRIVED 12/31/2011

Resident since 12/21/2011

ROC Timeline

ROC package mailed to VSC 11/22/2013

NOA1 date 11/26/2013

Biometrics date 12/26/2013

Transfer notice to CSC 03/14/2014

Change of address 03/27/2014

Card production ordered 04/30/2014

10-YEAR GREEN CARD ARRIVED 05/06/2014

N-400 Timeline

N-400 package mailed 09/30/2014

N-400 package delivered 10/01/2014

NOA1 date 10/20/2014

Biometrics date 11/14/2014

Early walk-in biometrics 11/12/2014

In-line for interview 11/23/2014

Interview letter 03/18/2015

Interview date 04/17/2015 ("Decision cannot yet be made.")

In-line for oath scheduling 05/04/2015

Oath ceremony letter dated 05/11/2015

Oath ceremony 06/02/2015

I am a United States citizen!

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Greece
Timeline

Thanks again VJers. Is this even if we do not get approved???

Click "spoiler" below for a detailed account of our journey to a CR1 visa via DCF in Athens, Greece.

 

2011 - Met hubby online and became friends
Early 2013 - Confessed our love for each other * Late 2013 - I got pregnant with our daughter
2014 - Our baby was born in Athens, Greece and completed our family. We now have two boys and a girl!! 2013 - 2015 - Looking for jobs in Greece, none were available (due to socioeconomic crisis) 2015 - Decided only way to feed our family was to immigrate and started the process December 2015 - Got married (Greece has a LOT of red tape for foreigners marrying Greeks)
January 2016 - Finished gathering all documents and getting them translated
* * DCF in Athens, Greece * *

28th January 2016 - Finally filed I-130s
29th June - ISSUED!!!!!!1st July - Visa packages and passports delivered to DHL.4th July - Visas in hand! CU in two weeks USA!!
19th July- POE Detroit. All went well!! (excluding our screaming, jet lagged toddler!!)

 

After Arrival in the US

September 2016 - Hubby is diagnosed with congestive heart failure
October - February 2016 - Battle with drug use, overdosing, bringing home a tiny paycheck

March - July 2017 - I am working 80 hr weeks to make ends meet. Discovered hubby's affair. Still overdoses and is hospitalized. Has quit working all together.
July - October 2017 - Marriage counseling. Revealed hubby has "several" mental conditions. Is started on several mental meds.

October 2017 - Got accepted for a college course. Got better job to help raise my kids.

October 2017 - March 2018 - Situation at home is toxic. He files for divorce.

July 2018 - Divorce is final. I have full custody of our daughter.

 

ROC (GC expires July 19th 2018)

July 16th - Package for ROC is delivered to the CA service center (divorce waiver).

August 30th - NOA1 received with 18 month extension (fee waiver approved).

March 28th 2019 - Biometrics

August 8th 2019 - Case Approved No RFE No Interview - 10 year GC in production

N400 (Online - Detroit, MI office)
June 6th 2023 - Applied for naturalization under 5 year rule.
June 7th 2023 - Application received/Biometric will be reused.
June 16th - Interview scheduled.
July 27th - Upcoming interview.



**Our DCF journey to an IV took 5 months and 1 day from turning in the I-130 to getting "Issued"**


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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Greece
Timeline

Thanks guys! I've transfered the money hopefully it will be here before the interview!

Click "spoiler" below for a detailed account of our journey to a CR1 visa via DCF in Athens, Greece.

 

2011 - Met hubby online and became friends
Early 2013 - Confessed our love for each other * Late 2013 - I got pregnant with our daughter
2014 - Our baby was born in Athens, Greece and completed our family. We now have two boys and a girl!! 2013 - 2015 - Looking for jobs in Greece, none were available (due to socioeconomic crisis) 2015 - Decided only way to feed our family was to immigrate and started the process December 2015 - Got married (Greece has a LOT of red tape for foreigners marrying Greeks)
January 2016 - Finished gathering all documents and getting them translated
* * DCF in Athens, Greece * *

28th January 2016 - Finally filed I-130s
29th June - ISSUED!!!!!!1st July - Visa packages and passports delivered to DHL.4th July - Visas in hand! CU in two weeks USA!!
19th July- POE Detroit. All went well!! (excluding our screaming, jet lagged toddler!!)

 

After Arrival in the US

September 2016 - Hubby is diagnosed with congestive heart failure
October - February 2016 - Battle with drug use, overdosing, bringing home a tiny paycheck

March - July 2017 - I am working 80 hr weeks to make ends meet. Discovered hubby's affair. Still overdoses and is hospitalized. Has quit working all together.
July - October 2017 - Marriage counseling. Revealed hubby has "several" mental conditions. Is started on several mental meds.

October 2017 - Got accepted for a college course. Got better job to help raise my kids.

October 2017 - March 2018 - Situation at home is toxic. He files for divorce.

July 2018 - Divorce is final. I have full custody of our daughter.

 

ROC (GC expires July 19th 2018)

July 16th - Package for ROC is delivered to the CA service center (divorce waiver).

August 30th - NOA1 received with 18 month extension (fee waiver approved).

March 28th 2019 - Biometrics

August 8th 2019 - Case Approved No RFE No Interview - 10 year GC in production

N400 (Online - Detroit, MI office)
June 6th 2023 - Applied for naturalization under 5 year rule.
June 7th 2023 - Application received/Biometric will be reused.
June 16th - Interview scheduled.
July 27th - Upcoming interview.



**Our DCF journey to an IV took 5 months and 1 day from turning in the I-130 to getting "Issued"**


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Filed: Timeline

The Agent of Choice is the person or institution who is assigned by the petitioner (US Citizen) for the NVC and embassy to contact as the case progresses forward. This person can either be the US Citizen themselves with the applicants as a secondary contact OR it can be an immigration attorney if the applicants decide on using an attorney for their case.

By the way, is there a reason why you are choosing to start your Cr1/Ir1 visa in Oct 2016?

Yes, and the reason is not to wait till it's exactly 2 years since we are married, I'm aware that doesn't matter, the time starts from the day I actually enter the States. October is the time when we are going to be able to afford it: )

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Yes, and the reason is not to wait till it's exactly 2 years since we are married, I'm aware that doesn't matter, the time starts from the day I actually enter the States. October is the time when we are going to be able to afford it: )

Well, the IR1/CR1 process takes a range of 10-13mths to be completed.

The USCIS service centers all have varying processing times so you can check on those but they range from 2-5mths; you may get RFEs at this stage so that creates a further delay. Then you have the NVC stage which is based on ensuring the applicants are documentarily qualified for the embassy....you may get checklists for missing docs at this stage at times so that creates a further delay also. If you have no checklists then it's Case Complete and then on to awaiting interview scheduling at your country's embassy which is approx 1-2mths from your case being complete. Then you may or may not be asked for additional docs at your interview by the CO.

So after all I've mentioned, please see below:

1. US$420 - Filing fee for i130 petition (per applicant - USCIS)

2. US$120 - Agent of choice fee (covers all applicants - NVC)

3. US$325 - Immigrant Visa fee (per applicant - NVC)

4. US$165 - Green card fee; to be paid before/after POE in USA (per applicant - USCIS online)

However....you and your spouse will know the full extent of your financial situation. Best of luck to you! :)

IR-1/CR-1
Spoiler

GOT MARRIED: 3-APR-2015 :wub:

HUSBAND FILED I-130: 29-MAY-2015

VISAS APPROVED: 15-JUN-2016

VISAS IN HAND; GREEN CARD FEES PAID: 21-JUN-2016

PORT OF ENTRY - FT. LAUDERDALE INTL AIRPORT: 06-AUG-2016
CONDITIONAL GREEN CARDS RECEIVED: 23-SEP-2016
 
I-751 FILER   
Spoiler
FILED REMOVAL OF CONDITIONS: 25-JUN-2018
FILE SENT TO NEBRASKA SERVICE CENTER 11-MAY-2019
10-YR GREEN CARDS APPROVED 17-JUN-2019 
10-YR GREEN CARDS RECEIVED 21-JUN-2019 :dance: 

N-400 FILER
Spoiler
FILED CITIZENSHIP ONLINE; RECEIVED NOA1: 8-DEC-2019
BIOMETRICS WALK-IN: 18-DEC-2019
INTERVIEW SCHEDULED: 26-OCT-2020
APPROVED/SAME DAY OATH CEREMONY: 26-OCT-2020
 
US PASSPORT
APPLICATION APPOINTMENT AT USPS (ROUTINE): 16-SEP-2021
PASSPORT APPROVED: 30-SEP-2021
PASSPORT RECEIVED: 5-OCT-2021
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Filed: Timeline

Well, the IR1/CR1 process takes a range of 10-13mths to be completed.

The USCIS service centers all have varying processing times so you can check on those but they range from 2-5mths; you may get RFEs at this stage so that creates a further delay. Then you have the NVC stage which is based on ensuring the applicants are documentarily qualified for the embassy....you may get checklists for missing docs at this stage at times so that creates a further delay also. If you have no checklists then it's Case Complete and then on to awaiting interview scheduling at your country's embassy which is approx 1-2mths from your case being complete. Then you may or may not be asked for additional docs at your interview by the CO.

So after all I've mentioned, please see below:

1. US$420 - Filing fee for i130 petition (per applicant - USCIS)

2. US$120 - Agent of choice fee (covers all applicants - NVC)

3. US$325 - Immigrant Visa fee (per applicant - NVC)

4. US$165 - Green card fee; to be paid before/after POE in USA (per applicant - USCIS online)

However....you and your spouse will know the full extent of your financial situation. Best of luck to you! :)

Yes, I'm aware about the rest, was just curious about agent of choice, Thanks :))

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