Did not pay Green Card fee yet after wife entered US

[Gaiden79 29]

Hi all,

(Sorry if this isn't the right forum)

 

My wife entered the US on her IR-1 visa on June 15 from the Philippines, but as of yet I didn't pay the fee for her permanent resident card to be mailed to her due to financial reasons. This coming week I will pay, but I'm just wondering if there will be any issues due to the delay?

 

She has her social security card/number already. I pay on the USCIS website correct? Thanks!

 

 

Edited July 14 by Gaiden79

[appleblossom 4,531]

No issues at all, there's no deadline to pay, the GC just won't be underway until it's been paid. 

 

Bear in mind that it seems to be 120 days now that they're quoting people for green card to be delivered, so don't worry if you don't get it within 90 days.

[Demise 1,444]

Yeah you pay on the USCIS website.

Overview: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/uscis-immigrant-fee 

Payment page: https://my.uscis.gov/accounts/uscis-immigrant-fee/start/overview 

 

In the meantime her stamped immigrant visa is a proof of status until June 14, 2026. So you know, get this out of the way ASAP but if it takes a few months for it to actually get mailed out it's no big deal. 

[Ontarkie 14,955]

~~Moved to General Immigration Discussion, from IR1/CR1 P&P - as similar threads are discussed here.~~

[spicynujac 79]

I would apply immediately but you could be in serious risk if you don't pay within the first 6 months of arrival.  Green card processing is taking 90-120 days and your stamped visa has a 1 year expiration date.  Ours took over 90 days.  I would be pretty nervous right now if my wife didn't have valid residency documents... or if they were set to expire in a few weeks and we were waiting on the mail.   Just do it, and be done with USCIS (well, until citizenship anyway) !

[Gaiden79 29]

On 7/13/2025 at 3:28 PM, appleblossom said:

No issues at all, there's no deadline to pay, the GC just won't be underway until it's been paid. 

 

Bear in mind that it seems to be 120 days now that they're quoting people for green card to be delivered, so don't worry if you don't get it within 90 days.

Thank you for the advice!

On 7/14/2025 at 2:24 AM, Demise said:

Yeah you pay on the USCIS website.

Overview: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/uscis-immigrant-fee 

Payment page: https://my.uscis.gov/accounts/uscis-immigrant-fee/start/overview 

 

In the meantime her stamped immigrant visa is a proof of status until June 14, 2026. So you know, get this out of the way ASAP but if it takes a few months for it to actually get mailed out it's no big deal. 

Ok thank you for the info.

[Gaiden79 29]

20 minutes ago, spicynujac said:

I would apply immediately but you could be in serious risk if you don't pay within the first 6 months of arrival.  Green card processing is taking 90-120 days and your stamped visa has a 1 year expiration date.  Ours took over 90 days.  I would be pretty nervous right now if my wife didn't have valid residency documents... or if they were set to expire in a few weeks and we were waiting on the mail.   Just do it, and be done with USCIS (well, until citizenship anyway) !

For sure, I appreciate the warning. I'll be doing it soon.

[appleblossom 4,531]

15 hours ago, Gaiden79 said:

For sure, I appreciate the warning. I'll be doing it soon.

 

Don't panic, as you can easily get an ADIT stamp if you don't have the physical green card before your I-551 year ends. It's free, you get it mailed and that will give you another year.

[Gaiden79 29]

6 hours ago, appleblossom said:

 

Don't panic, as you can easily get an ADIT stamp if you don't have the physical green card before your I-551 year ends. It's free, you get it mailed and that will give you another year.

Wow that's so cool. I figured there must be some way since processing times are ridiculous right now.