Who pays the visa fee in the F case?

The Family Based visa, which allows family reunification through an immigration process, involves several steps – each with its respective fees and responsibilities. It is important to understand that, although the process is joint, the fees are divided between the petitioner (usually the relative who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident) and the beneficiary (the person applying for the visa).

In practice, the petitioner is responsible for submitting the initial petition, usually through Form I-130, which has its own processing fee paid to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). After this petition is approved, the case is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC), where additional fees arise.

At this stage, the beneficiary, who is the one seeking the immigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate, must pay the visa application fees, processing fees, and medical examination costs, among other general procedure charges. Each of these expenses is essential for the process to proceed in accordance with United States immigration laws.

I emphasize the importance of the applicant strictly following the rules and maintaining contact only with official sources or trusted professionals, thus avoiding possible fraud or misleading promises on the internet. When dealing with these steps, it is crucial to understand that the responsibility for paying each fee is clearly defined and that complying with the rules is the best way to ensure the process proceeds safely and effectively.

If doubts arise, seeking information directly on the official websites of USCIS, the U.S. Department of State, and the NVC is always recommended to avoid complications or scam attempts.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.