New proposed CIS filing fees to increase total immigration costs up to $1,040 for K-1 applicants

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

New proposed CIS filing fees to increase total immigration costs up to $1,040 for K-1 applicants, K-3 up to $920

VisaJourney News

Jan 31, 2007, last updated 10:00pm EST

The new proposed CIS rate increases for fiscal year 2008 (see attached rate sheet below) will cost K-1 applicants up to $1,040 in additional fee's for their entire immigration paperwork. K-3 applicants will have to pay up to $920 in additional fees. The major benefit cited by the US CIS is to reduce application processing times and to improve the operation of the CIS as a whole. As part of the proposed change Employment Authorization Documents as well as Advance Parole (travel) documents will require no additional fee(s) when filed with an I-485 (to adjust status to permanent residency). Both benefits will also incur no additional cost to renew while the I-485 application is processing.

The increases for a K-1 applicant would be as follows:

Form and amount increased/decreased:

I-129f --> $285 (petition for fiancee of US Citizen)

I-485 --> $580 (filing for adjustment of status to get green card)

I-131 --> $-170 (no cost to file or renew while I-485 is being processed; required if you travel outside the US before getting a green card)

I-765 --> $-180 (no cost to file or renew while I-485 is being processed; optional but almost always filed so applicant can work)

I-751 --> $260 (almost always required if I-485 is approved within 2 years of marriage)

N-400 --> $265 (application for Citizenship)

Total = $1,040 increase (current rates total: $1,380, proposed rates total: $2,420)

The increases for a K-3 applicant would be as follows (assumes applicant files for Adjustment in the US and does not pursue the I-130 at the consulate):

Form and amount increased/decreased:

I-130 --> $165 (petition for spouse of US Citizen)

I-129f --> $-170 (required to file as part of K-3 procedure)

I-485 --> $580 (filing for adjustment of status to get green card)

I-765 --> $-180 (no cost to file or renew while I-485 is being processed; optional but almost always filed so applicant can work)

I-751 --> $260 (required if I-485 is approved within 2 years of marriage)

N-400 --> $265 (application for Citizenship)

Total = $920 increase (current rates total: $1,400, proposed rates total: $2,320)

Current and Proposed US CIS filing fees:

[isleta521 5]

No news is good news I guess. I guess you have to be rich to get hitched nowadays. I can understand some increases but not 80-90%. Just terrible if it passes.

[patiently_waiting 0]

There is no guarantee that the process will decrease in time. Just another way to get more money out of us. It seems as though the gov't doesn't want its citizens to be with any immigrants.

[rebeccajo 14]

There is no guarantee that the process will decrease in time. Just another way to get more money out of us. It seems as though the gov't doesn't want its citizens to be with any immigrants.

Immigration isn't something our government guarantees. It's a privilege and there's usually a high price associated with that.

[payxibka 10,045]

Remember there are also other "out-of-pocket" that you incur in addition to these USCIS costs (visa issuance, medical, etc....).

[safitu 0]

Remember there are also other "out-of-pocket" that you incur in addition to these USCIS costs (visa issuance, medical, etc....).

when are these changes slated to take place?

[Robor007 0]

There is no guarantee that the process will decrease in time. Just another way to get more money out of us. It seems as though the gov't doesn't want its citizens to be with any immigrants.

Immigration isn't something our government guarantees. It's a privilege and there's usually a high price associated with that.

What does that have to do with the cost of the process going up 60% (for the K-3)? I don't have a problem paying more if the process is quicker. I've seen some posts referring to 'premium processing' where the petitioner could pay an additional fee ($1000?) to give their petition priority. I'd do that in a second if it was possible. And if this fee increase speeds up the process I'm all for it. But as patiently_waiting said, there's no guarantee it will happen and even if it does it will likely not be seen by those of us in process now. Call me selfish but I don't want to pay a fee increase so those behind me can get faster processing.

[seldi 1]

Decrease processing time? Right...and I'm made of marshmallows...

[gearheadgeek 1]

Just another way to get more money out of us.

I don't see any conspiricy. Everything costs money - nothing is free. Who pays the costs of USCIS for people, paper, facilities, etc? Taxes? Yeah, that's the ticket. Lets raise taxes and make other people pay for our process. Remember that this is going to cost you $10K or more with trips, phone calls, gifts, fees, whatever, so another $1000 is 10% or less. If $1000 means you can't do this, you had better think very seriously about what you are attempting to do.

It seems as though the gov't doesn't want its citizens to be with any immigrants.

Well, duh! You haven't figured that out yet??? Seriously, why would they want is to bring in immigrants? People ###### about immigrants and losing jobs to them.

[isleta521 5]

Just another way to get more money out of us.

I don't see any conspiricy. Everything costs money - nothing is free. Who pays the costs of USCIS for people, paper, facilities, etc? Taxes? Yeah, that's the ticket. Lets raise taxes and make other people pay for our process. Remember that this is going to cost you $10K or more with trips, phone calls, gifts, fees, whatever, so another $1000 is 10% or less. If $1000 means you can't do this, you had better think very seriously about what you are attempting to do.

It seems as though the gov't doesn't want its citizens to be with any immigrants.

Well, duh! You haven't figured that out yet??? Seriously, why would they want is to bring in immigrants? People ###### about immigrants and losing jobs to them.

Current filing Fee for K1: 1300.00

Proposed new Filing Fee for K1: 2420.00

People that think another k or two is nothing since USCIS has to buy more paper: Priceless

Edited February 1, 2007 by isleta521

[Geist 0]

I second the question asking when this takes effect. I very literally just went and got the money order to pay for the K-3 I-130 processing fee. I'd hate to have to go back to the bank and get another one.

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

This will not take place until fiscal year 2008. So this is many months from now.

[alohaspirit 0]

New proposed CIS filing fees to increase total immigration costs up to $1,040 for K-1 applicants, K-3 up to $920

VisaJourney News

Jan 31, 2007, last updated 10:00pm EST

The new proposed CIS rate increases for fiscal year 2008 (see attached rate sheet below) will cost K-1 applicants up to $1,040 in additional fee's for their entire immigration paperwork. K-3 applicants will have to pay up to $920 in additional fees. The major benefit cited by the US CIS is to reduce application processing times and to improve the operation of the CIS as a whole. As part of the proposed change Employment Authorization Documents as well as Advance Parole (travel) documents will require no additional fee(s) when filed with an I-485 (to adjust status to permanent residency). Both benefits will also incur no additional cost to renew while the I-485 application is processing.

The increases for a K-1 applicant would be as follows:

Form and amount increased/decreased:

I-129f --> $285 (petition for fiancee of US Citizen)

I-485 --> $580 (filing for adjustment of status to get green card)

I-131 --> $-170 (no cost to file or renew while I-485 is being processed; required if you travel outside the US before getting a green card)

I-765 --> $-180 (no cost to file or renew while I-485 is being processed; optional but almost always filed so applicant can work)

I-751 --> $260 (almost always required if I-485 is approved within 2 years of marriage)

N-400 --> $265 (application for Citizenship)

Total = $1,040 increase (current rates total: $1,380, proposed rates total: $2,420)

The increases for a K-3 applicant would be as follows (assumes applicant files for Adjustment in the US and does not pursue the I-130 at the consulate):

Form and amount increased/decreased:

I-130 --> $165 (petition for spouse of US Citizen)

I-129f --> $-170 (required to file as part of K-3 procedure)

I-485 --> $580 (filing for adjustment of status to get green card)

I-765 --> $-180 (no cost to file or renew while I-485 is being processed; optional but almost always filed so applicant can work)

I-751 --> $260 (required if I-485 is approved within 2 years of marriage)

N-400 --> $265 (application for Citizenship)

Total = $920 increase (current rates total: $1,400, proposed rates total: $2,320)

Current and Proposed US CIS filing fees:

I clicked the link you provided but it came out in error.

[tweety 1]

holy snickers, am I glad we're almost done with most major parts of the immigration process.... 2.5 k for a k1? wow.....

[olafgypsy 0]

Does anyone know if there will be possibilities of financial aid for low-income folks? Like many posting to this thread have mentioned, immigration is a privilege, not a right. (Although I would argue that being able to marry the person you fall in love with is part of the "pursuit of happiness.") However, if it is a privilege extended only to mid to high income citizens, then it's quite discriminatory. I can't imagine that this will fail to be an issue in the debates around this proposed increase in fees. Or will it?