Do I need to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee (after the visa) if I adjust my status?

It helps to start by distinguishing two separate paths, because they carry different costs. The USCIS Immigrant Fee applies to those who immigrate through the consular route: the person receives an immigrant visa abroad, enters the United States, and this fee covers the production of the green card once inside the country.

Adjustment of status is a different path. Those who are already in the United States apply for permanent residence directly with the USCIS through a separate petition, which has its own set of fees. In other words, each stage of the process is charged independently, and having paid at one stage does not automatically waive costs at the other.

What applies to your situation therefore depends on which path you are taking to obtain the green card tied to EB-2 NIW. Fee amounts change over time and vary by case type, so do not rely on third-party figures: verify which fees apply to your situation and their current amounts directly at the official source (USCIS), ideally with the support of a qualified specialist.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.