Is being under 18 exempt from paying the biometric fee?

Let”s begin by highlighting that the process to obtain a U visa involves several stages, including the collection of biometric data, which consists of fingerprints and photographs for identity verification. It is essential that applicants follow the rules and deadlines established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and USCIS, always consulting official sources to ensure that procedures are correct.

Regarding the exemption from the biometric fee, the rule does not automatically apply to all minors under 18 years of age. Generally, the exemption is granted to children under 14 years old who, due to their age, usually do not need to attend biometric collection nor pay the associated fee.

Therefore, if a minor is between 14 and 17 years old, even though they are underage, it is likely that they will need to go through the procedure and, consequently, pay the fee established by USCIS (currently, this fee is around US$85, but it is important to check the updated amount and current guidelines).

It is always essential to remember that following the United States immigration laws is a crucial step to avoid future problems, and seeking information from official sources or specialized companies and professionals can help to avoid misunderstandings, scams, or marketing campaigns that promise guaranteed results.

Thus, staying well-informed and updated on current rules helps to make the best decisions during the immigration process. If there are specific doubts or particular situations, we recommend carefully reading the instructions provided by USCIS or contacting reliable advisory sources in the field, ensuring that every step of the process is correct and in accordance with the law.

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.