Welcome back to the Immigration Lawyer Blog, where we discuss all things immigration. In this video, attorney Jacob Sapochnick discusses an important announcement made by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on July 31, 2020 regarding new increases in immigration filing fees for certain applications and petitions.
Stay tuned for more information.
Overview
What is the new announcement about?
USCIS recently announced that the agency will be increasing filing fees for certain applications and petitions in order to meet its operational costs. As many of you are aware, USCIS has been facing a serious financial crisis as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. The substantial loss of revenue the agency has experienced has forced the agency to resort to a hike in filing fees that will be enforced beginning October 2nd.
Shortly after its announcement regarding the fee increases, USCIS published a final rule in the Federal Register explaining that the price increases are “ intended to ensure that USCIS has the resources it needs to provide adequate service to applicants and petitioners.”
When will the increase in fees become effective?
The fee increases become effective on October 2, 2020 – 60 days from the date of the final rule’s publication. That means that applications postmarked on or after October 2, 2020 must include the correct fees, otherwise they will be rejected by USCIS.
What types of petitions are impacted?
There are a number of immigration applications and petitions that will be impacted by the final rule. Below we summarize those applications and petitions that have been most impacted by the fee increases:
I-929 Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1 Nonimmigrant
Current Fee: $230
Final Fee: $1,485 (Increase of 546%)
I-881 Application for Suspension of Deportation or Special Rule Cancellation of Removal
Current Fee: $285
Final Fee: $1,810 (Increase of 535%)
I-193 Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa
Current Fee: $585
Final Fee: $2,790 (Increase of 377%)
N-300 Application to File Declaration of Intention
Current Fee: $270
Final Fee: $1,305 (Increase of 383%)
I-192 Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant (CBP)
Current Fee: $585
Final Fee: $1,400 (Increase of 139%)
N-400 Application for Naturalization (online filing)
Current Fee: $640 + $85 biometrics
Final Fee: $1,160 (Increase of 81%)
N-400 Application for Naturalization (paper filing)
Current Fee: $640 + $85 biometrics
Final Fee: $1,170 (Increase of 83%)
I-129 H2A Named Beneficiaries
Current Fee: $460
Final Fee: $850 (Increase of 85%)
I-129 L
Current Fee: $460
Final Fee: $805 (Increase of 75%)
I-129 CW, I-129E&TN, and I-129 MISC
Current Fee: $460
Final Fee: $695 (Increase of 51%)
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (for applicants under the age of 14 years only)
Current Fee: $750
Final Fee: $1,130 (Increase of 51%)
I-601A Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver
Current Fee: $630
Final Fee: $960 (Increase of 52%)
I-129 H2B – Named Beneficiaries
Current Fee: $460
Final Fee: $715 (Increase of 55%)
I-129 O
Current Fee: $460
Final Fee: $705 (Increase of 53%)
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization NON-DACA
Current Fee: $410
Final Fee: $550 (Increase of 34%)
I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions
Current Fee: $595
Final Fee: $760 (Increase of 28%)
Where can I find the complete list of applications impacted by the Final Rule?
You can find the complete list of applications that will be impacted by the new price increases by viewing the final rule on the Federal Register here.
Where can I find more information about the fee increases?
You can find more information about these increases on the USCIS webpage here.
Questions? If you would like to schedule a consultation, please text or call 619-569-1768.
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