DCF Fees

[Rob and WeiLing]

As we're preparing for WeiLing's interview early next month, one thing has been on my mind. When do we pay the fees? I've read that K-1/3 visas pay at specific banks, but the packet for me indicates that the applicant should have the cash handy. For the affidavit of marriageability from GUZ, I just paid (US card) at the window they told me to walk to. In BJ's CIS it was similar--walk over to another window and pay with plastic.

 

From the English section of OF-171:

Applicant should prepare to pay (in cash) the Immigrant Visa Processing Fee. The current fee is $400 per person, which includes a $45 surcharge.

What I paid in Beijing was $355, and I've been keeping the receipt. The receipt lists that I've paid "DHS I-130 Petition $355." Is this the same as the IV Processing Fee listed at http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/fees.html ? If so, will we have to make up the $45 surchage difference?

 

With the information here on CFL, I've been pretty comfortable with everything so far. I just don't want to get taken off-guard by this fee.

[dnoblett]

The $355 is the USCIS fee for handling the I-130 petition same fee that is paid if filing the I-130 in the USA.

 

The consulate in Guangzhou will be collecting the $400 fee that is normally collected by NVC if processing the petition in the states.

 

7. Where can I pay the required visa application fee?

 

Immigrant Visa applicants must pay a processing fee of US$400. Most applicants pay this fee directly to the National Visa Center (NVC) before their case is transferred to Guangzhou. If the applicant has not yet paid this fee by the day of the interview, s/he must pay it to the cashier prior to interviewing. All K visa applicants must pay a non-refundable application fee of US$350 (or equivalent in RMB) at a CITIC Bank prior to the visa interview. The fee can be paid at any of the branches of CITIC Bank in mainland China.

 

Please note that fees are subject to change. See http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/fees.html for updated information about application fees.

http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/iv_faqs.html#B7

 

DCF has one less fee, the "I-864" fee collected by NVC if doing stateside processing.

[Rob and WeiLing]

The $355 is the USCIS fee for handling the I-130 petition same fee that is paid if filing the I-130 in the USA.

 

The consulate in Guangzhou will be collecting the $400 fee that is normally collected by NVC if processing the petition in the states.

 

7. Where can I pay the required visa application fee?

 

Immigrant Visa applicants must pay a processing fee of US$400. Most applicants pay this fee directly to the National Visa Center (NVC) before their case is transferred to Guangzhou. If the applicant has not yet paid this fee by the day of the interview, s/he must pay it to the cashier prior to interviewing. All K visa applicants must pay a non-refundable application fee of US$350 (or equivalent in RMB) at a CITIC Bank prior to the visa interview. The fee can be paid at any of the branches of CITIC Bank in mainland China.

 

Please note that fees are subject to change. See http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/fees.html for updated information about application fees.

http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/iv_faqs.html#B7

 

DCF has one less fee, the "I-864" fee collected by NVC if doing stateside processing.

 

Yeah, I caught that FAQ entry on the site, but still wasn't sure since both list $355. So to be sure: the USCIS fee is $355, the IV Processing Fee is $355 and then IV Processing Surcharge is $45, for a total of $755? I wonder why they both list $355, but IV tacks on a surcharge.

 

You think we'll be able to go in the day before to pay, since her interview is scheduled for 7:15am? Anyway, thanks for the quick response.

[dnoblett]

The $355 is the USCIS fee for handling the I-130 petition same fee that is paid if filing the I-130 in the USA.

 

The consulate in Guangzhou will be collecting the $400 fee that is normally collected by NVC if processing the petition in the states.

 

7. Where can I pay the required visa application fee?

 

Immigrant Visa applicants must pay a processing fee of US$400. Most applicants pay this fee directly to the National Visa Center (NVC) before their case is transferred to Guangzhou. If the applicant has not yet paid this fee by the day of the interview, s/he must pay it to the cashier prior to interviewing. All K visa applicants must pay a non-refundable application fee of US$350 (or equivalent in RMB) at a CITIC Bank prior to the visa interview. The fee can be paid at any of the branches of CITIC Bank in mainland China.

 

Please note that fees are subject to change. See http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/fees.html for updated information about application fees.

http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/iv_faqs.html#B7

 

DCF has one less fee, the "I-864" fee collected by NVC if doing stateside processing.

 

Yeah, I caught that FAQ entry on the site, but still wasn't sure since both list $355. So to be sure: the USCIS fee is $355, the IV Processing Fee is $355 and then IV Processing Surcharge is $45, for a total of $755? I wonder why they both list $355, but IV tacks on a surcharge.

 

You think we'll be able to go in the day before to pay, since her interview is scheduled for 7:15am? Anyway, thanks for the quick response.

You can pay it as soon as you have invite letter, it is NOT paid in the consulate, you pay this fee at a CITIC bank branch, the closest branch to consulate is on the ground floor of the CITIC building about 2 blocks from consulate.

 

 

More about fees:

Coming to the U.S. Permanently - Immigrant Services

 

Description of Service and Fee Amount

• Filing an immigrant visa petition (Collected for USCIS and subject to change)
  • Petition to classify status of alien relative for issuance of immigrant visa, select USCIS, Form I-130 for fees and form.
     
    
  • Petition to classify orphan as an immediate relative, select USCIS, Form I-600 for fees and form.
     
    
  • Petition to classify Convention Adoptee as an immediate relative, select USCIS, Form I-800 for fees and form.
     
    
  • Immigrant visa application processing fee (non-refundable, per person), Form DS-230: $355.00
    

  [*] Diversity Visa Lottery surcharge for immigrant visa application (non-refundable, per person applying as a result of the lottery program): $375.00

   

  [*] Immigrant visa security surcharge, for all IV and DV applicants: $45.00

   

  [*] Affidavit of Support Review (only when AOS is reviewed domestically), Form I-864: $70.00

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1263.html#perm

 

$355 I-130 fee is for USCIS to process petition. USCIS is Immigrations and part of homeland security. ( I-130 ) <-- This you paid.

 

$400 Visa fee is for consulate processing, which is Department Of State. <-- This you pay at CTIC bank. $355 to process DS-230, and another $45 for the Security Surcharge. Since you are not dealing with NVC in the USA you don't have to pay $70 to process form I-864.

 

You are dealing with Two different agencies of the US government each needing their cut.

Edited June 16, 2010 by dnoblett (see edit history)

[dnoblett]

Be grateful K-1 is MUCH, MUCH more expensive.

 

I-129F $455

DS-160/DS-230 $350

I-485 $1010

 

($1815)