USCIS Exempts Certain Foreigners from Immigrant Fee

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that five specific categories of foreign nationals are exempt from the USCIS Immigrant Fee, which is typically required for new lawful permanent residents before they receive their Green Card. The exempt categories include: 1) Children entering the United States under the orphan or Hague adoption programs, 2) Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants, 3) Other Afghan nationals until September 30, 2024, 4) Returning lawful permanent residents (SB-1s), and 5) K nonimmigrants.

All other immigrants who receive an immigrant visa must pay the fee to obtain their Green Card, and failure to do so will delay its issuance. USCIS allows third parties to pay the fee on behalf of immigrants who cannot do so themselves.

Payment must be made online, and immigrants are advised to confirm their exemption status to avoid delays in receiving their Permanent Resident Card.