After receiving the EB-3 immigrant visa and setting foot in the US, your journey is not yet over: the activation of the Green Card and payment of the USCIS Immigrant Fee are two mandatory procedures to officially become a lawful permanent resident. Many families mistakenly believe that clearing the port of entry is enough, but in fact the physical Green Card is only produced and mailed home after you complete the steps below correctly. This guide presents the step-by-step sequence, timelines and common mistakes so you can stay proactive.
Why the Green Card must be activated after entry
When an EB-3 case is processed through consular processing and the DS-260 interview is successful, you receive an immigrant visa affixed in your passport along with a sealed envelope. This visa allows you to enter the US for the first time within its validity period, but it is not itself the Green Card.
At the port of entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers will check the envelope, stamp your entry, and officially recognize you as a lawful permanent resident from that date. However, the physical card (Form I-551) is not printed immediately.
Therefore, the activation process actually consists of two parallel tracks: the border procedure carried out by CBP, and the obligation to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee, which you must proactively complete. Only once both are done will USCIS produce and mail the Green Card to the address you provided.
Should the USCIS Immigrant Fee be paid before or after entry
The USCIS Immigrant Fee is the fee that everyone receiving an immigrant visa through consular processing must pay for USCIS to process and print the Green Card. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), this fee is recommended to be paid before you depart for the US, right after receiving the visa.
Paying early helps avoid delays. If you enter the country without having paid the fee, USCIS cannot begin producing the card, resulting in additional weeks of waiting.
The fee is paid online through the USCIS system using the case number and identifier printed on your visa documents. The specific fee amount follows the current fee schedule published on the official USCIS website; you should check the latest figure at the time of payment rather than relying on old information.
Important note: children adopted under the Hague process and certain visa categories are exempt from this fee. Most EB-3 applicants and accompanying family members are not exempt, so each family member must pay a separate fee.
Steps to activate the Green Card from A to Z
Below is the standard sequence you need to follow in order:
- Receive the visa and sealed envelope. After passing the interview, the consulate issues an immigrant visa affixed in the passport along with a sealed envelope. Absolutely do not open this envelope.
- Create an account and pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee online. Log in to the USCIS system, enter the Case Number and the USCIS Immigrant Fee Handout code, then pay for each family member.
- Enter the US within the visa’s validity period. Bring your passport, visa, sealed envelope and personal identification documents. The immigrant visa is usually valid for 6 months from the date of issue.
- Complete inspection at the port of entry with CBP. Hand the envelope to the CBP officer. They process the case and stamp the I-551 temporary stamp in your passport — this stamp serves as a Green Card for about 1 year.
- Declare the correct residential address. USCIS mails the physical card to the address you provided, so the address must be accurate and someone must be there to receive it.
- Receive the physical Green Card by mail. Once both conditions (fee payment and entry) are complete, USCIS prints and mails the card within a few weeks to a few months.
This sequence applies to both the principal applicant and the accompanying spouse, children and legal common-law partner in the same EB-3 case.
The role of Customs and Border Protection at the port of entry
Entry is the moment you officially “activate” your permanent resident status. According to the U.S. Department of State, after being issued an immigrant visa, the border officer at the port of entry will verify identity, cross-check the case file and decide whether to admit you.
When approved, your passport is usually stamped with a special stamp — called the I-551 temporary stamp (ADIT stamp). This stamp proves you are already a lawful permanent resident even before the plastic card arrives.
While waiting for the physical card, the I-551 stamp allows you to work legally, open a bank account, apply for a Social Security Number, and even travel in and out of the US. Therefore, you should keep the passport bearing this stamp carefully and make a backup copy.
In addition, if for any reason CBP does not apply the stamp, you can still enter the country, but you should contact USCIS to request a supplemental proof stamp if the card is delayed.
Timeline and things to do right after arriving in the US
In the very first week after arriving in the US, there are a few things you should prioritize doing alongside waiting for the Green Card:
- Apply for a Social Security Number (SSN): this is the number needed to work, pay taxes and open bank accounts. If you already registered for an SSN when applying for the visa, the card will be mailed automatically; if not, go to the Social Security Administration office to file an application.
- Update your address with USCIS: if you move after entering the country, you must report it to USCIS within 10 days so the card is not lost.
- Check case status online: use the receipt number to track the card production progress on the USCIS system.
- Start work with the sponsoring employer: since EB-3 is tied to the job commitment, you should contact the employer to start on schedule.
Regarding timelines, the I-551 stamp in the passport is usually valid for about 1 year, enough time for you to live normally while waiting. Most physical cards arrive within a few weeks to a few months after paying the fee and entering the country.
However, production time can vary depending on USCIS’s caseload at any given period. Therefore, if the expected timeframe has passed and you still have not received the card, you should proactively contact USCIS rather than wait passively.
Common mistakes when activating the Green Card
While supporting EB-3 families, My Second World’s team of immigration consultants has noted some recurring mistakes you should avoid:
- Forgetting to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee: this is the most common mistake that results in the card never being printed even after successful entry.
- Opening the sealed envelope: the envelope is only meant for the CBP officer. If you open it yourself, the case may be considered invalid.
- Declaring the wrong receiving address: the card is returned or lost, leading to a time-consuming and costly reissuance process.
- Letting the visa expire before entering: the immigrant visa is usually valid for only 6 months; if you miss the deadline, you must apply for an extension or redo the procedure.
- Not keeping the I-551 stamp: if the card is delayed and the passport is also lost, you will have difficulty proving permanent resident status.
In addition, some families forget that each accompanying member must pay a separate fee. Therefore, make a checklist for everyone in the case so no one is missed.
Quick comparison of the two key milestones
To help you visualize it easily, the table below summarizes the difference between the two core milestones in the activation process:
| Tiêu chí | Paying the USCIS Immigrant Fee | Entry and I-551 stamp |
|---|---|---|
| Responsible agency | USCIS | CBP (at the port of entry) |
| When it happens | Before flying (recommended) | Upon arrival in the US |
| Method | Pay the fee online | In-person procedure at the border |
| Consequence if missed | The card is not printed | Not recognized as a permanent resident |
| Temporary proof | Biên lai thanh toán | I-551 stamp in the passport |
As the table above shows, these two milestones are independent but complementary. Missing either one interrupts the process of receiving the Green Card.
Summary
Quá trình activation of the Green Card after entering the US under the EB-3 category revolves around two parallel obligations: paying the USCIS Immigrant Fee on time and completing the procedure with CBP at the port of entry. When both are completed, USCIS will produce and mail the physical card to your address, while the I-551 stamp in your passport lets you live normally during the wait.
Next steps, you should plan to apply for a Social Security Number, update your address promptly, and track your case status online to proactively act if the card is delayed. Preparing a checklist for every family member in the case will help avoid unfortunate mistakes.
If you need detailed guidance tailored to your family’s specific situation, My Second World’s team of immigration consultants is always ready to accompany you on your journey to settle in the US.
