Final Rule for USCIS fee increases

[juancarlos 126]

2 minutes ago, Loren Y said:

There is obviously some underlying reason for that.

I think that too

[Redheadguy03 505]

Great, my wife can't apply for naturalization until July next year. Guess we have to pay an arm and a leg. Any chance this will get struck down if Trump loses the election? Pure speculation, but I don't think this is just about trying to balance the budget. 

Edited August 1, 2020 by Redheadguy03

[Just Paul 4,595]

9 minutes ago, Redheadguy03 said:

Pure speculation, but I don't think this is just about trying to balance the budget.

USCIS isn't funded by taxpayers.  It is funded by the user fees.  That has been the problem.  Like any other service the government performs, not enough fees are charged to cover the costs.

[NikLR 13,227]

9 hours ago, JFH said:

81% increase for N-400! And that’s with the online filing “discount” of 10 bucks. From $640 to $1160. That’s insane. Especially when there is such disparity between the offices. I filed in September of last year and am not expected to be done before January 2021. People who filed in February this year in other offices are already USCs. They need to address that first before they hike their prices so much. 

Looks like I'll just renew my green card for a while since it's significantly cheaper to do that! 

I noticed the cost for AOS and I-129F went down.   They're obviously trying to encourage those items.  But they got rid of the cheaper fee for filing with a child which sucks for those K2 kids and also the free I-131 and I-765.  However I don't disagree with their decision there, since the cost to process these are the same if they're filed alone or with the AOS, so charging the fees for these items, while it harder, will actually decrease the time spent on them.  I think in the end more people will get married and do the IR1/CR1 route vs K1 since the total fees is $3,040 for the K1 plus AOS with I-131 and I-765! 

Green card production fee went down. 

[Redheadguy03 505]

8 minutes ago, Paul & Mary said:

USCIS isn't funded by taxpayers.  It is funded by the user fees.  That has been the problem.  Like any other service the government performs, not enough fees are charged to cover the costs.

I know that, but it just so happens naturalization versus the others increased by 81 percent and Trump isn't known for being immigrant friendly. Too much of a coincidence to me. 

[NikLR 13,227]

2 minutes ago, Redheadguy03 said:

I know that, but it just so happens naturalization versus the others increased by 81 percent and Trump isn't known for being immigrant friendly. Too much of a coincidence to me. 

Then he'd increase other costs.  Immigrants becoming citizens is really a best case scenario regardless of party. 

 

 

[Redheadguy03 505]

6 minutes ago, NikLR said:

Then he'd increase other costs.  Immigrants becoming citizens is really a best case scenario regardless of party. 

 

 

I have to disagree. Citizens can use benefits that green card holders generally can't. Preventing people from getting citizenship does have it's advantages to someone who is against it, especially if that person is against public assistance of any kind. I'm not going to argue, it is what it is. Expensive!!! 

[pablo2752 106]

Oh wow this just threw a curve ball to many people who are filing for F2B cases whose parents are also considering to naturalize soon....

[Leah88 192]

Hi guys, so I’m in the process of filing AOS - literally could send it out tomorrow but waiting for my equivalency report for my Highschool diploma and bachelors (bachelors certificate is in English and I have a translation for the Highschool diploma). Sorry if this is a dumb question but I really am overwhelmed by the entire situation (coming here through Mexico cost me 3 k$) and right now not being able to do really because of corona... would it make sense to send out my AOS package TOMORROW without the equivalency report, before the 3 rd of august? Or does it not make any difference at all, when I file for AOS _•and is still have to pay higher fines ? Honestly this whole process is so crazy, I think it is easier to do another bachelors program at this point..

[Bars&Saqi 120]

2 hours ago, Scandi said:

Yes, from October 2nd the i-765 and i-131 will no longer be for free when you file to adjust your status, or to renew the i-765.

 

Also, the proposal showed that they wanted ro raise the fee for the i-765 by 20%, from $410 to $490.

 

The i-131 will be close to $600.

We will have to pay the fee for each separately to renew the EAD/AP even if we filed before this final rule takes effect?

From the final rule in the exemptions section (page 161 onwards) it makes it seem as though the regulations in effect at the time of filing is what we go off of, which would make the renewals free if filed before October 2.

Or am I misinterpreting this?

[JSWH 262]

45 minutes ago, Leah88 said:

Hi guys, so I’m in the process of filing AOS - literally could send it out tomorrow but waiting for my equivalency report for my Highschool diploma and bachelors (bachelors certificate is in English and I have a translation for the Highschool diploma). Sorry if this is a dumb question but I really am overwhelmed by the entire situation (coming here through Mexico cost me 3 k$) and right now not being able to do really because of corona... would it make sense to send out my AOS package TOMORROW without the equivalency report, before the 3 rd of august? Or does it not make any difference at all, when I file for AOS _•and is still have to pay higher fines ? Honestly this whole process is so crazy, I think it is easier to do another bachelors program at this point..

"This final rule is effective October 2, 2020. Any application, petition, or request postmarked on or after this date must be accompanied with the fees established by this final rule." You have 2 months to send your AOS application before the new fees go into effect. 

May I ask why are you waiting for your diplomas to send the AOS package? They are not required. AOS is all about proof of your marriage bona fide. 

[NikLR 13,227]

11 minutes ago, JSWH said:

"This final rule is effective October 2, 2020. Any application, petition, or request postmarked on or after this date must be accompanied with the fees established by this final rule." You have 2 months to send your AOS application before the new fees go into effect. 

May I ask why are you waiting for your diplomas to send the AOS package? They are not required. AOS is all about proof of your marriage bona fide. 

The I-944 is harder for some people. 

[JSWH 262]

18 minutes ago, NikLR said:

The I-944 is harder for some people. 

Forgot about I-944. Makes sense. Thanks. 

[Orangesapples 1,954]

5 hours ago, Loren Y said:

The fees for AOS are definitely not good, unless they really increase processing time so you don't have to renew EAD and AP card. Since they aren't free anymore, that's just an incentive to increase revenue by taking your time doing AOS interviews. The ROC is the only fair increase, it's going up to 760 total, but if that includes the biometric fee it is really only a 80 dollar increase from the old fee (595+85=680). But that's tough to figure out if they are including biometric fees now. 

The real hose job is the N400. That's completely insane. I definitely don't agree with a 81% increase on the most important one to become a citizen. There is obviously some underlying reason for that.

I'm wondering if the fancy ceremonies are the reason it's so expensive. Personally, I don't want a ceremony and I certainly don't want to pay for it! 

Edited August 1, 2020 by Orangesapples

[Trutta 103]

But they still don't have enough money to stay fully staffed, right? LOL