The short answer
This is a mandatory fee required by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for individuals granted an immigrant visa abroad. The payment covers processing costs and the production of your Permanent Resident Card (Green Card).
Understanding the USCIS Immigrant Fee
The USCIS IMMG FEE is an administrative payment required for most individuals entering the United States for the first time as lawful permanent residents. This specific charge handles the backend costs of processing your immigrant visa packet after it is approved by a consulate or embassy.
Crucially, this fee is completely separate from the visa application payments you may have already submitted to the Department of State. You must pay this charge online directly through the official USCIS portal before your physical Green Card will be printed and mailed.
- Confirm Green Card Status Check your USCIS online account to verify that your immigrant fee payment has been successfully linked to your Alien Registration Number.
When should I pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee?
You should pay the fee after you receive your immigrant visa packet from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but ideally before you depart for the United States.
Can someone else pay the fee for me?
Yes, a family member, friend, employer, or attorney can pay the fee on your behalf, provided they have your A-Number and DOS Case ID.
What happens if the fee is unpaid?
Failure to pay the USCIS immigrant fee will not invalidate your visa or prevent you from entering the United States, as your passport stamp serves as temporary proof of permanent residency for one year. However, USCIS will not produce or deliver your actual Permanent Resident Card until the balance is cleared.
Immigrants often overlook this separate payment, assuming all fees were handled during the consular processing stage. Ensure you process this payment through the official my.uscis.gov portal using a credit card or ACH transfer to avoid delays in receiving your documentation.
- Access the Payment Portal review to the official USCIS website and enter your A-Number and DOS Case ID to access the payment screen.
Is the USCIS IMMG FEE refundable?
Generally, USCIS fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome of your immigration process, unless there was a specific administrative error.
Why is this separate from my visa fee?
The visa fee is collected by the Department of State for processing the application, while this fee is collected by USCIS specifically for Green Card production.
Independent reference — not affiliated with USCIS. Billing names and policies change; verify with the merchant or your bank before acting.
Verified sources
Every claim on this page is checked against official sources — open them to confirm before you call your bank.
- USCIS Immigrant Fee Page https://www.uscis.gov
- USCIS Online Payment System https://my.uscis.gov
Reviewed Aug 31, 2026 · high · About UnknownCharges