I 485 biometrics fee required?

[Scottf]

Well so far not so good. They rejected my 485 because I did not include the biometrics fee although it clearly states in the I 130 instructions the Biometrics fee is not required until the biometrics interview is set up. So two weeks wasted on something they didn't make clear.

So I believe I have the fees correct now. $1140 for the I485, $535 for the I130 submitted concurrently, and $85 for biometrics for $1760. Do I have it right now?

Also I organized all the paperwork into folders and they sent it back out of the folders all stapled up without the cover letter and index of documents I included. Should I send back what they sent me? Or should I organize it again?

Why couldn't they have just called and added $85 to the card to avoid all of this?

[nycfiler3]

Hey, that's correct. I don't have the literature next to me but I am pretty sure the biometrics fees are actually required when sending your application. You have to send 2 checks: first is $1225 for I-485 and that includes biometrics and second is $535 for I-130.

[Houston2016]

Well so far not so good. They rejected my 485 because I did not include the biometrics fee although it clearly states in the I 130 instructions the Biometrics fee is not required until the biometrics interview is set up. So two weeks wasted on something they didn't make clear.

So I believe I have the fees correct now. $1140 for the I485, $535 for the I130 submitted concurrently, and $85 for biometrics for $1760. Do I have it right now?

Also I organized all the paperwork into folders and they sent it back out of the folders all stapled up without the cover letter and index of documents I included. Should I send back what they sent me? Or should I organize it again?

Why couldn't they have just called and added $85 to the card to avoid all of this?

From instruction for I-130 p.3: Biometric Services Fee. If you file this petition with USCIS, you do not need to include a biometric services fee at the time you submit your petition."
p.9: "The filing fee for Form I-130 is $535"

From instruction for I-485 p.5: "Filing Fee. Each application must be accompanied by the appropriate filing fee and biometric services fee (if applicable)."
p.14: "The filing fee for Form I-485 is $1,140"
p.15: "A biometric services fee of $85 is also required for applicants between 14 and 79 years of age."

So for I-130 filed by petitioner (USC or LPR) biometric services fee is not required,
but for I-485 filed by beneficiary (intending immigrant) biometric services fee is required.

Add a cover letter on the top and tabs, just in case.

They cannot alter your form and take additional money without your authorization and signature otherwise it is a theft.

[Scottf]

I didn't mean to be brash I posted pretty fresh after getting it back in the mail. I updated the credit card authorization and its now two separate forms one for the I485 and biometric and one for the I130. I am just really bummed 3 weeks of how ever long this will take is now just a math error from instructions that were a little misleading. I wish the 130 instructions would have mentioned that the biometric fee is required on a concurrent submission with the 485. Its back in the mail wish me luck this time.

[Houston2016]

I didn't mean to be brash I posted pretty fresh after getting it back in the mail. I updated the credit card authorization and its now two separate forms one for the I485 and biometric and one for the I130. I am just really bummed 3 weeks of how ever long this will take is now just a math error from instructions that were a little misleading. I wish the 130 instructions would have mentioned that the biometric fee is required on a concurrent submission with the 485. Its back in the mail wish me luck this time.

I was lucky, when i was researching how to DIY Green Card i came across an advice that I-130 and I-485 should be treated as two separate application as you would file it in different time or different places. The difference for concurrent filing is to put them in one envelope and combine them with cover letter and mark envelope with "Concurrent filing".

They have a separate case number for each application. If you file I-485, I-130, I-131 and I-765 you will have 4 letters that your case is received with unique number for each case (application).

[nycfiler3]

I was lucky, when i was researching how to DIY Green Card i came across an advice that I-130 and I-485 should be treated as two separate application as you would file it in different time or different places. The difference for concurrent filing is to put them in one envelope and combine them with cover letter and mark envelope with "Concurrent filing".

They have a separate case number for each application. If you file I-485, I-130, I-131 and I-765 you will have 4 letters that your case is received with unique number for each case (application).

Oh gosh, is that true? 4 different tracking numbers? Does it mean that, every time we want to check the status of our case, we have to input 4 different tracking numbers?

[Houston2016]

Oh gosh, is that true? 4 different tracking numbers? Does it mean that, every time we want to check the status of our case, we have to input 4 different tracking numbers?

Yep, 4 different updates! we have filed concurrently and for combo EAD/AP card.
Now you see why you need separate payments for each application.