Pay after receiving the immigrant visa and before travel when possible
USCIS strongly encourages an immigrant-visa holder who is subject to the immigrant fee to pay it online after receiving the visa from the Department of State and before departing for the United States. The fee funds processing of the immigrant visa packet and production of the first Permanent Resident Card.
The payment portal calculates the current amount before submission, and USCIS directs users to Form G-1055 for the current fee. Verify the amount in the official portal on the day of payment instead of relying on an older handout, search result or third-party website.
You need the A-Number and DOS Case ID—not a new application
The embassy or consulate normally provides a USCIS immigrant-fee handout and immigrant data summary containing the A-Number and Department of State case ID. The numbers also appear on the immigrant visa, but the displayed visa case number can include extra digits that USCIS says should be omitted when entering the DOS Case ID.
If the handout or data summary is missing, USCIS directs the immigrant to contact the embassy or consulate that issued the visa. Do not post these identifiers publicly or send a passport image to someone offering to find the numbers.
A trusted person may pay, but only the immigrant controls identity verification
A family member, friend, employer, attorney or accredited representative may pay the immigrant fee for the visa holder. The payer needs the immigrant's A-Number and DOS Case ID and may use an eligible card, prepaid card or U.S. bank account through the official payment flow.
Anyone may make the payment, but USCIS says only the immigrant may create the related USCIS online account and complete identity verification. Save the Pay.gov confirmation and the IOE receipt number, then give the immigrant a secure copy so the card can be tracked.
Some visa holders are exempt
USCIS lists exemptions for children entering under the orphan or Hague adoption programs, certain Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants, returning lawful permanent residents using an SB-1 visa, and K nonimmigrants. The official page also describes a time-limited exemption for another Afghan group that ended September 30, 2024.
An exemption depends on the actual admission category, not financial need alone. If the portal requests a fee and the visa holder believes an exemption applies, use the official help channel before paying rather than guessing from the visa label.
The mailing address matters as much as the payment
After admission, USCIS mails the Green Card to the most recent U.S. address provided to the Department of State, given to the Customs and Border Protection officer at entry, or later updated with USCIS. If the intended address has changed before arrival, tell the CBP officer at the port of entry.
USCIS says the card should arrive within 90 days after entry or within 90 days after payment—whichever is later. If it does not, use the official online help or e-request process and confirm that both USCIS and the Postal Service have the correct address.
Late payment delays the card, not the status granted at admission
A person may pay after arrival, and USCIS will send a payment notice if the fee remains unpaid. USCIS states that nonpayment does not by itself cancel lawful permanent resident status after admission, but it will prevent production of the physical Green Card.
The endorsed immigrant visa generally serves as temporary I-551 evidence for one year from admission. That temporary evidence has an expiration date, so do not leave the fee and delivery problem unresolved. Information checked September 18, 2026.