Don't shoot the messenger...

[TracyTN 237]

But they are proposing to raise the I-130 fee. Not as much as the I-129F, but still a proposed increase.

Somehow, I missed that part (duh!).

In that case, it does make the most sense to have K1ers pay for the increase on the I 129f.

[Captain Ewok 1,871]

I-485 goes from $325 to $905 . That is the biggest increase. See the notice in VJ News:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=52675

Which is an all-inclusive fee - it covers EAD and AP for as long as it takes them to adjust you. No extra filing fees if your AOS ends up taking years. Again a benefit.

No I don't work for USCIS nor do I love them. Far from it. But we have already spent that amount of money for my husband's adjustment.

That is true they are now "free" however the total cost will still be roughly USD $1,000 more for most applicants. The goal as they stated is that this will ensure faster processing times and hopefully as a result people will not need duplicate EAD's, I-131's, etc..

Captain, what is now 'free'? I don't follow you?

As an aside, I can tell you right now from my personal perspective, if it cost me an extra $1000 to process my husband's K1, adjust him, lift and then natz - I would have gladly gladly paid it rather than sit here in this blackhole. If paying the FBI more for servicing to process petitions get people done and gets them onto a normal life, then it's worth every single penny.

EAD and AP's (or as the CIS calls them, interim benefits) are now no cost to file for while a valid I-485 has been filed and is being processed. They "built them into the cost" of the I-485.

[Asamu 0]

We may hope that the process will be expedited with these may be upcoming changes, but - c'mon

how many times have promises been made to "expedite" these processes, yet it still takes months to have a

simple case completed - first of all there are too many forms and too many offices that work on these cases.

No wonder some files get lost in the midst of all this confusion!

The funny thing is - we who will be the first paying these higher fees may not even benefit on the changes - as we all

know changes may be enjoyed by those filling in two to three years to come!

Anyway - I wish everyone the best as we face yet another hurdle!

Asamu

[ladykelia 0]

"The Bush administration is proposing to nearly double the cost of becoming a U.S. citizen and drastically raise the cost of becoming a legal permanent resident." -ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2837116)

Said like this, I can already see where they are going to create even more trouble with the problem of illegal immigrants

But, I predict that processing times will be faster because there will be half as many people that can afford to apply.

Forgive my cynicism. I do see the importance of the USCIS modernizing their systems and providing better customer service and everything that will be improved by this fee increase (oh god how I see the room for improvement). But this is such a drastic increase that will create more than a little hardship on many immigrant families. As if the process isn't costly enough as it is, not even counting the cost of moving however many people across the world and the price of a semi-decent (mandatory) wedding. I also see where the government throwing tax money at the USCIS isn't exactly a viable solution either.

I do think that that the fees should be increased on many of the types of visas, including the K-1 and K-3, but not in such a drastically sudden way. It would be slightly easier for immigrant families if these increases are introduced gradually over the next 5-10 years

Edited February 1, 2007 by ladykelia

[psho 0]

just curious... I'd like to see what the fees were, say, ten years ago. And how much they've risen in that time frame.

If it's within the bounds of inflation, I'd be cool. If not, I am more than happy to comment officially AND let my congressfolk know. I can be quite persistent.

[ladykelia 0]

just curious... I'd like to see what the fees were, say, ten years ago. And how much they've risen in that time frame.

If it's within the bounds of inflation, I'd be cool. If not, I am more than happy to comment officially AND let my congressfolk know. I can be quite persistent.

page 14 of this document: http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/ProposedRule.pdf shows the fee history of all of the various forms in the past 21 years.

[rebeccajo 14]

Ask the old-timers to immigration (people who have been at it longer than me) if MOST of the processes aren't faster than they used to be. I know you will find it hard to believe but I bet most will tell you - yes it IS better.

Even I can say that I129F's (other than the case of Vermont) process faster than they did 2 years ago. A couple of times during the IMBRA fiasco I used to come to this forum and try to console people by telling them Nebraska petitions used to take 6-8 months on a normal basis. It went in one ear and out the other.

And there sure as heck was NO SUCH THING as 45-day greencards like we are presently seeing. When I filed my husband's AOS, the norm to wait for an interview was several months.

Do I like paying more for things? NO. Am I defending USCIS/DHS/DOS? NO. Do things need to get better? You bet your butt they do - especially if they are going to have to process many new petitions once Congress passes whatever immigration law it will pass this year.

But factually I will stand here and tell you, straight up, that systems HAVE improved. They really have. It could be worse.

[MihFre 0]

The agency said the new fees would reduce average application processing times by 20 percent by the end of September 2009.

I agree with the other posters. If it decreases the wait time I would gladly pay it. The immigration fee is one of the smallest costs in this whole process in my opinion.

If the CSC could manage the VSC times it would make many of us happier.

[TracyTN 237]

If the CSC could manage the VSC times it would make many of us happier.

Isn't that the truth??!

[brnidokiegurl 0]

Tracy seems our times just keep going the wrong direction.

[Caladan 19]

The agency said the new fees would reduce average application processing times by 20 percent by the end of September 2009.

I agree with the other posters. If it decreases the wait time I would gladly pay it. The immigration fee is one of the smallest costs in this whole process in my opinion.

If the CSC could manage the VSC times it would make many of us happier.

I dunno. A thousand dollar increase better give me more than a reduction in processing times by 20% for paperwork. If you look at the pdf, most of the increases have been between $20 and $50 (e.g.) for the I-129F. An increase of $285 is more than all the previous increases in the past 20 years combined, doubled.

I don't know how you can say the immigration fees are the smallest part of this whole process, unless you're counting the costs of dating someone from overseas, but that's a bit like counting the first date movie tickets in the cost of your wedding.

[isleta521 5]

Maybe they should just do some HOUSECLEANING with all the incompetence and that goes on at some of the service centers - prbably be better than throwing more money at them. I dont mind paying more (although it already takes a pretty good chunk out of my pocket - X3 for me) as long as it does help but doesnt seem right at 80-90% more.

[Shub 78]

I don't believe this has been made clear yet, so allow me to ask about it... how certain is it that those changes will come into effect in October? I understand the words "proposed changes", but how likely is it that they will happen as outlined and within the specified timeline?

I'm not too concerned about the increased price of the I-129F as we will file for it before October, but I am concerned about the extra money for adjustment of status when the time comes.

[TracyTN 237]

I suppose some of it depends on the feedback they get from the public - but that's me being all optimistic. I'm pretty sure they're going to do what they want to do anyway to make it the 'system of the 21st century' (that made me giggle).

The AOS part goes up some $230. In the grand scheme of things, not so bad, but as I said in the other thread - even that much more may make some reconsider what visa type they go for (i.e. one where the alien arrives with work authorization).

[dionesiamn 0]

When my grandfather came to this country 100 years ago there were no fees associated with getting into the country. It's a shame that a country founded and built by immigrants can charge so very much to those who wish to follow.

That being said, if the government truly needs more money to help in the processing on these visas, etc. and ensuring the country's security, then I have an idea.

The airport commissions are now selling advertising space at the bottom on the plastic bins you use at the airport to put your personal items in for the x-ray machine. That's so they can pay for "beefed" up security equipment and more guards to make the process faster.

So, rather than pass the higher costs of security on to immigrants and their loved ones, maybe the government could sell advertising on the back of the forms and letters they make immigrants complete? On the side of the visa they could have a perforated section and sell tear-off coupon advertising to American merchants—I'm seeing McDonald's, Starbuck's, Target, maybe Rapid Oil Change. It would be like a "Welcome to America, we're glad you're here! Take fifty cents off your first Big Mac!" Everyone wins!

It could happen!