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changbaihou

Should I submit $85 Biometric Services Fee with I-751 form?

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Hi guys, I am preparing the I-751 petition for my ROC. I noticed the instruction of I-751 regarding the Biometric Services Fee (Please see the following Quote):

 

Quote

 

Biometric Services Fee.

1.  Conditional Resident. Each conditional resident and conditional resident dependent included in the principal petitioner’s Form I-751 is required to submit a biometric services fee with this petition, in addition to the required filing fee. (See the What Is the Filing Fee section of these Instructions.)

2.  U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident Spouse. If you are the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, you do not need to include a biometric services fee at the time this petition is submitted. If USCIS later notifies you that you must submit your biometrics, you will receive a biometric services appointment notice with instructions on how to submit the additional fee.

 

 

I am confused by this instruction. There are 2 possibilities based on my understanding:

 

Possibility 1:  Since I am the spouse of a US citizen, my Biometric Services Appointment may be waived, so I do not need to submit $85 Biometric Services Fee when filing I-751 petition.

 

Possibility 2:  I am applying for the ROC, and my spouse filing this petition with me jointly. Even he is an US citizen, it's possible for him to also have a Biometric Services together with me. But he do not need to pay the Biometric Services Fee right now, what he needs to do is just waiting for the further notification from USCIS.

 

Which possibility is correct? Do I need to submit $85  Biometric Services Fee when I filing the I-751?

 

Please help out, thanks in advance!

Edited by changbaihou
👆 Let's go to this thread to discuss the timelines in Nebraska (LIN) center! 👆
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Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: India
Timeline

You only need to submit fee for yourself. You are neither a US citizen or LPR when you are filing I751. You are a conditional resident.

Removal of Conditions

CIS Office :California Service Center

Receipt #: WAC18096XXXXX

Date Filed :2018-01-02

NOA Date :2018-01-04

18 month courtesy copy: 2018-08-18

18 month official copy: 2018-10-22

Approval: 2019-02-01

GC received : 2019-02-08

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

#1 refers to you (you have to submit the biometrics fee, you are the applicant).

 

#2 refers to people who are the SPOUSES of the i-751 applicant (does not apply to you).

Edited by Going through

Applied for Naturalization based on 5-year Residency - 96 Days To Complete Citizenship!

July 14, 2017 (Day 00) -  Submitted N400 Application, filed online

July 21, 2017 (Day 07) -  NOA Receipt received in the mail

July 22, 2017 (Day 08) - Biometrics appointment scheduled online, letter mailed out

July 25, 2017 (Day 11) - Biometrics PDF posted online

July 28, 2017 (Day 14) - Biometrics letter received in the mail, appointment for 08/08/17

Aug 08, 2017 (Day 24) - Biometrics (fingerprinting) completed

Aug 14, 2017 (Day 30) - Online EGOV status shows "Interview Scheduled, will mail appointment letter"

Aug 16, 2017 (Day 32) - Online MYUSCIS status shows "Interview Scheduled, read the letter we mailed you..."

Aug 17, 2017 (Day 33) - Interview Appointment Letter PDF posted online---GOT AN INTERVIEW DATE!!!

Aug 21, 2017 (Day 37) - Interview Appointment Letter received in the mail, appointment for 09/27/17

Sep. 27, 2017 (Day 74) - Naturalization Interview--- read my experience here

Sep. 27, 2017 (Day 74) - Online MYUSCIS status shows "Oath Ceremony Notice mailed"

Sep. 28, 2017 (Day 75) - Oath Ceremony Letter PDF posted online--Ceremony for 10/19/17

Oct. 02, 2017 (Day 79) -  Oath Ceremony Letter received in the mail

Oct. 19, 2017 (Day 96) -  Oath Ceremony-- read my experience here

 

 

 

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Just now, NikV said:

You only need to submit fee for yourself. You are neither a US citizen or LPR when you are filing I751. You are a conditional resident.

Thanks for your reply.

One of my understanding is that even myself might not submit the $85 Biometric Services fee. Since I am the spouse of an US citizen, my Biometric Services appointment might be waived. Actually some of my friends were waived of the Biometric Services appointment after they filed I-751 recently.

👆 Let's go to this thread to discuss the timelines in Nebraska (LIN) center! 👆
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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Russia
Timeline

One fee for the CGC holder.

 

Good Luck!

Visa Received : 2014-04-04 (K1 - see timeline for details)

US Entry : 2014-09-12

POE: Detroit

Marriage : 2014-09-27

I-765 Approved: 2015-01-09

I-485 Interview: 2015-03-11

I-485 Approved: 2015-03-13

Green Card Received: 2015-03-24 Yeah!!!

I-751 ROC Submitted: 2016-12-20

I-751 NOA Received:  2016-12-29

I-751 Biometrics Appt.:  2017-01-26

I-751 Interview:  2018-04-10

I-751 Approved:  2018-05-04

N400 Filed:  2018-01-13

N400 Biometrics:  2018-02-22

N400 Interview:  2018-04-10

N400 Approved:  2018-04-10

Oath Ceremony:  2018-06-11 - DONE!!!!!!!

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Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: India
Timeline
1 minute ago, changbaihou said:

Thanks for your reply.

One of my understanding is that even myself might not submit the $85 Biometric Services fee. Since I am the spouse of an US citizen, my Biometric Services appointment might be waived. Actually some of my friends were waived of the Biometric Services appointment after they filed I-751 recently.

They might not accept your packet if you do not place the bio-metric fee. And yes, you are right about the waiver. Do not know what to tell you. I guess bad USCIS policies.

Removal of Conditions

CIS Office :California Service Center

Receipt #: WAC18096XXXXX

Date Filed :2018-01-02

NOA Date :2018-01-04

18 month courtesy copy: 2018-08-18

18 month official copy: 2018-10-22

Approval: 2019-02-01

GC received : 2019-02-08

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Russia
Timeline
1 minute ago, changbaihou said:

Thanks for your reply.

One of my understanding is that even myself might not submit the $85 Biometric Services fee. Since I am the spouse of an US citizen, my Biometric Services appointment might be waived. Actually some of my friends were waived of the Biometric Services appointment after they filed I-751 recently.

The I751 applicants removing conditions based on marriage need to include the biometrics fee.  The spouse who is a USC or LPR (not a conditional resident) do not.  No where does it say anything about waiving the fee.

 

Good Luck!

Visa Received : 2014-04-04 (K1 - see timeline for details)

US Entry : 2014-09-12

POE: Detroit

Marriage : 2014-09-27

I-765 Approved: 2015-01-09

I-485 Interview: 2015-03-11

I-485 Approved: 2015-03-13

Green Card Received: 2015-03-24 Yeah!!!

I-751 ROC Submitted: 2016-12-20

I-751 NOA Received:  2016-12-29

I-751 Biometrics Appt.:  2017-01-26

I-751 Interview:  2018-04-10

I-751 Approved:  2018-05-04

N400 Filed:  2018-01-13

N400 Biometrics:  2018-02-22

N400 Interview:  2018-04-10

N400 Approved:  2018-04-10

Oath Ceremony:  2018-06-11 - DONE!!!!!!!

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You have to pay the fee. 

Doesn't matter if they might or might not waive your future biometric appointment. 

 

If you don't pay, your paperwork will be rejected. 

 

Waving the appointment is not the same as waiving the fee. Also you don't waive the appointment either.  It's up to USCIS to decide. 

Edited by Roel

K1

29.11.2013 - NoA1

06.02.2014 - NoA2

01.04.2014 - Interview. 

AoS

03.2015 - AoS started.

09.2015 - Green Card received.  

RoC

24.07.2017 - NoA1.

01.08.2018 - RoC approved. 

 

 

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Neither possibility is correct. Yes, you do need to submit the fee or your application will be rejected. 

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Yes you need to submit the fee. No USCIS will not refund it in case they waive your biometrics.

K1 time line

 


I-129F sent: 12/23/2014
NOA-1: 12/29/2014
NOA-2: 06/05/2015 (158 days)
NOA-2 hardcopy: 06/11/2015 (6 days post NOA-2, 164 days total)
Sent to NVC: 06/16/2015 (11 days post NOA-2, 169 days total)
NVC receive: 06/25/2015 (20 days post NOA-2, 178 days total)
NVC case no: 06/30/2015 (25 days post NOA-2, 183 days total)
NVC left: 07/02/2015 (27 days post NOA-2, 185 days total)
Case Ready: 07/07/2015 (32 days post NOA-2, 190 days total)
submitted DS-160, paid visa fee.: 07/21/2015 (46 days post NOA-2, 204 days total)
Packet 3 sent: 07/25/2015 (50 days post NOA-2, 209 days total)
Pack 4 received: 07/30/2015 (55 days post NOA-2, 214 days total)
Medical: 09/17/2015 Interview: 09/23/2015 (108 days post NOA-2, 268 days total)
Interview Result: Approved Administrative Processing: 09/23/2015
CEAC Status Issued: 09/24/2015
Visa in hand: 09/28/2015
POE: 12/29/2015 Wedding: 01/11/2016


AOS Time Line

 

AOS package mailed: 01/13/2016
AOS package received: 01/20/2016 (day 1)
AOS NOA-1 text/email: 01/23/2016 (day 3), actual NOA-1 date 01/22/2016 (day 2)
AOS Fingerprint fee received: 01/22/2016 (day 2)
AOS check cashed: 01-25-2016 (day 5) Got 6 month NJ driver's license: 01-25-2016
3x NOA-1 hardcopies: 02/03/2016 (day 14)

Biometrics letter: 02/05/2016 (day 16) Biometrics appt (Elizabeth, NJ): 02/17/2016 (day 28)

EAD and AP approved email/txt: 03/29/2016 (day 67)

GC approval email/text: 04/04/2016 (day 74)

I-797 for I-765/I-131 in mail: 04/04/2016 (day 74)

EAD/AP delivered: 04/05/216 (day 75)

GC card being mailed status update: 04/07/16 (day 77)

GC received: 04/11/16 (day 84 post AOS NOA-1)

DONE WITH USCIS FOR 21 MONTHS!

ROC Window opens: 01/04/2018

 

ROC Time Line
ROC package mailed to Vermont 01/04/2018
ROC package received at Vermont 01/08/2018 (day 0)
Check cashed: 01/16/2018 (day 8 )
NOA-1 date: 01/09/2018 (day 1)
NOA-1 received: 01/16/2018 (day 8 )
Biometrics notice received: 02/09/2018 (day 32)
Biometrics appointment: 02/23/2018 (day 46)
Received 18-month extension letter: 08/13/2018 (day 209)
ROC Approved: 03/09/2019 (day 425)
Card Received: 03/16/2019  (day 432)
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Do not think you know what USCIS will do regarding a waiver of the Biometrics fee. If you file your paperwork without the Bio fee and only pay the RoC fee, USCIS will send your entire file back to you with a rejection letter for "Incorrect Fee Paid". To avoid all of this, do not try shortcutting the process, pay the RoC and Bio fee.

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: Indonesia
Timeline

If you don't include the $85, your application will be returned to you like it was for this couple:

 

 

 

Removing Conditions Timeline

Aug. 10, '17: Mailed in I-751

Aug. 21, '17: NOA1

October 23, '18: NOA2- approval

October 30, 18: 10-year GC received

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Not sure I understand the reluctance to send in the 85 bucks.  Are we being penny wise and pound foolish?  Send the gosh-darned money.  It's only 85 dollars for cripes sale!  Jimminie crickets???

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