Eko4show

Ok, I'm trying to bring my parents over. I paid the fee for 1-130 last July and I have received several communications from USCIS regarding this application. Last month I filed to be the AGent of choice so the paperwork comes to me instead of my parents in Africa (Postal service is horrible there).
This week I got a reply stating that they indeed got the Agent change form and are requesting me to pay $400 immigrant visa application fees.

My question is this
1) is the IV fee different from the fee I paid when I first filed?
2) OR i'M i BEING CHANGED $400 BUCKS because I choose the to be the agent of choice?

I certainly don't want to pay the govt anymore $$$ than neccessary.
Thanks for your replies.

meauxna

Normally I'd go off on some rant here about how you should really know what you're applying for and how to do it before you start, but, well, I guess I won't.

The fees you paid for the I-130s are the petition fees.
Now your parents are going to apply for visas. Each visa application has a fee too. That's what the $400 each is.
Don't forget the fee for the I-864.

Noorah101

The IV Fee is different than the I-130 petition filing fee. This flowchart might help you: http://www.familybasedimmigration.com/forum/nvc.php

Rene

Folinskyinla

Hi:

As a direct answer to your topic line: $45.00.

The I-130 fees are for the I-130 -- it paid USCIS for its trouble plus the cost of administering the refugee and asylum programs, plus the cost of naturalization for members of the US armed forces who are not charged at all. I forgot also paying for initial EAD's for asylum applicants. And then add in the assessment for general brick & mortar, utilities, investigation services, etc etc.

The visa fees are for the department of state.

Remember that if they were in the United States, the I-130 and the I-485 fees would be separate. Also, adjustments with USCIS are $1010.00 each. And you are complaining about paying ONLY $400.00?

Perhaps you should hire a lawyer. Then you can REALLY complain because the lawyer spent 10 hours of her life doing "nothing" that you could not have done yourself. At least the government agencies, unlike the lawyer, can actually give you something other than their time.

meauxna

uh oh. Bad day?

Noorah101

hehehe....good one.

Folinskyinla

Actually it was a pretty good day. The InfoPass worked like a dream -- found out what was happening a case across the country [which I had not handled, but also couldn't get a handle on -- now I know why he is considered to have an adjustment pending for 11 years], second case was where NSC is unlawfully rejecting a filing with instructions to check the 800 misinformation number or local office via InfoPass. 800 and now InfoPass have told me "not their problem" and I think they are 100% correct -- opening the door to suing the director of NSC. And third case we recovered the passports of two people adjusted in Immigration Court in January [DHS treats their attorneys like dirt and refuse to authorize them to give back the passports in open court! My client says that is absurd and I responded "I'm glad you agree with me."]

But seriously, a line that I often use with the CIS minions and in liaison meeting is "You should really appreciate attorneys because WE catch the flack which should properly be directed at YOU."

Eko4show

Thanks Noorah.

I'd like to say calm down to those of you whose adrenalin is riding high.
I didn't come here because I wanted to deprieve the government of it numerous fees. I'm just making sure that I do not pay duplicate fees. Maybe I should have read the entire USCIS website for differences between all these fees, but it's tax season and I'm busy with Audit.

The fact that the IV fees and 1-130 fees are the same somewhat makes it confusing as well.
Well thanks for all your responses.

Noorah101

The I-130 fee is currently $355. Is that what the fee bill from NVC is also? You said $400.

Rene

Eko4show

Yes the IV fee is $355 plus extra $45 for iv security Surcharge. The fact that the fee was $355 just like the 1-130 is what aroused my curiousity.

meauxna

This Flowchart might help you visualize what's happening at the NVC portion of your case.

National Visa Center (NVC) IV PROCESS & FLOWCHART