Final Rule for USCIS fee increases

[millefleur 5,047]

**Political off topic derailment posts removed; please stay on topic**

 

VJ Moderation

Edited August 1, 2020 by millefleur

[KevinOtgoo 34]

So can someone clarify what is the new total cost to file for AOS for a K1 applicant after the new rule goes into effect?  Thanks!

[HRQX 4,145]

1 minute ago, KevinOtgoo said:

So can someone clarify what is the new total cost to file for AOS for a K1 applicant after the new rule goes into effect?  Thanks!

It'll depend on if the applicant wants to file the optional (but recommended) I-765 and I-131 forms.

[KevinOtgoo 34]

1 minute ago, HRQX said:

It'll depend on if the applicant wants to file the optional (but recommended) I-765 and I-131 forms.

Gotcha, yes, lets assume they do want to file those forms....

[xxlian 100]

10 minutes ago, KevinOtgoo said:

Gotcha, yes, lets assume they do want to file those forms....

If you file I-485, I-751, and I-131, it will now be $2270...

[HRQX 4,145]

9 minutes ago, KevinOtgoo said:

Gotcha, yes, lets assume they do want to file those forms....

Filing for I-485, I-765, and I-131 new total fee: $2270. ($1045 more expensive than right now)

Filing for I-485 and I-765 new total fee: $1680. ($455 more expensive than right now)

Filing for I-485 and I-131 new total fee: $1720. ($495 more expensive than right now)

Filing only I-485 new total fee: $1130. (It's actually cheaper than right now by $95)

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,093]

57 minutes ago, KevinOtgoo said:

Gotcha, yes, lets assume they do want to file those forms....

Though I think with the fees no longer being waived for them (as of Oct 2, anyway) a lot of people are going to look more carefully at the average processing times of their field office vs average EAD processing times before deciding to file them.

 

Previous guidance was to always file them (because they're useful to have even if you aren't planning on becoming employed or traveling internationally before you expect to have your green card), but when you'd save a grand by not doing so that changes the calculations, I think.

[geowrian 22,337]

13 minutes ago, DaveAndAnastasia said:

Though I think with the fees no longer being waived for them (as of Oct 2, anyway) a lot of people are going to look more carefully at the average processing times of their field office vs average EAD processing times before deciding to file them.

 

Previous guidance was to always file them (because they're useful to have even if you aren't planning on becoming employed or traveling internationally before you expect to have your green card), but when you'd save a grand by not doing so that changes the calculations, I think.

Agreed.

 

Although I feel there's going to be a lot more cases of "I need to work ASAP because..." and 'I need to travel now because..." as well because people didn't think they were going to need one or the other but something came up. Expedites still exist, but that's never something to rely on.

[Micheal & Phoebe 21]

I think I misunderstood something in the new fees report.

 

I thought if you currently have a I-485 pending ie. have a NOA1 for AOS, and you need to renew the EAD and AP (not a combo card) the fee was waived.

 

However if you are filing a new I-485, I-765 and I-131 the new fees apply.

 

Please help to clarify this for me

 

[Scandi 4,173]

40 minutes ago, Micheal & Phoebe said:

I think I misunderstood something in the new fees report.

 

I thought if you currently have a I-485 pending ie. have a NOA1 for AOS, and you need to renew the EAD and AP (not a combo card) the fee was waived.

 

However if you are filing a new I-485, I-765 and I-131 the new fees apply.

 

Please help to clarify this for me

 

I understood it differently, to me it seems that if you renew your EAD/AP after October 2nd, you'll be required to pay the fee. It's a new application (even though it's not an original application), so new fees apply. I could have misunderstood it though.

[HRQX 4,145]

1 hour ago, Scandi said:

I understood it differently, to me it seems that if you renew your EAD/AP after October 2nd, you'll be required to pay the fee. It's a new application (even though it's not an original application), so new fees apply. I could have misunderstood it though.

Looks like @Micheal & Phoebe is correct. On page 161, "Table 4: Filing Fee Exemptions" begins. Start going down and look for rows in 2nd column that says "Applicants who filed USCIS Form I-485 on or after July  30, 2007, and before [INSERT EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE FINAL RULE] and paid the Form I-485 fee" or "An applicant who filed USCIS Form I-485 on or after July 30, 2007 and before [INSERT EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2018/2019 FEE RULE] and paid the Form I-485 filing fee."

https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2020-16389.pdf

Edited August 2, 2020 by HRQX

[HRQX 4,145]

2 hours ago, Micheal & Phoebe said:

I thought if you currently have a I-485 pending ie. have a NOA1 for AOS, and you need to renew the EAD and AP (not a combo card) the fee was waived.

Per the "Table 4" I mentioned above, filing any* I-131 is also free if you currently have a I-485 pending and paid the I-485 fee (i.e. didn't receive fee waiver for I-485 fee). So renewing Combo Card is completely free in that case.

 

*Can even file initial I-131 and/or I-765 in that case because 3rd column says "Any application" and "Initial EAD, Renewal EAD, Replacement EAD" respectively.

Edited August 2, 2020 by HRQX

[HRQX 4,145]

On 7/31/2020 at 4:09 PM, Paul & Mary said:

Yes

That's incorrect in Sara + Kevin case (assuming they paid the full I-485 fee). Renewal will be free in their case (see below).

On 7/31/2020 at 4:05 PM, Sara + Kevin said:

Wait does this mean we have to pay $410 to renew the EAD?

Look at pages 162 and 168: https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2020-16389.pdf Filing I-131 and/or I-765 for initial, renewal, or replacement will be free for you because you meet the following definition: "Applicants who filed USCIS Form I-485 on or after July 30, 2007, and before [INSERT EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE FINAL RULE] and paid the Form I-485 fee"

Edited August 2, 2020 by HRQX

[KevinOtgoo 34]

13 hours ago, DaveAndAnastasia said:

Though I think with the fees no longer being waived for them (as of Oct 2, anyway) a lot of people are going to look more carefully at the average processing times of their field office vs average EAD processing times before deciding to file them.

 

Previous guidance was to always file them (because they're useful to have even if you aren't planning on becoming employed or traveling internationally before you expect to have your green card), but when you'd save a grand by not doing so that changes the calculations, I think.

Yes, we already talked about this night and have already decided we will not file for her AP.  EAD we will decide later but yes this is definitely going to change things for many people.

[Letspaintcookies 2,310]

21 hours ago, DaveAndAnastasia said:

Though I think with the fees no longer being waived for them (as of Oct 2, anyway) a lot of people are going to look more carefully at the average processing times of their field office vs average EAD processing times before deciding to file them.

 

Previous guidance was to always file them (because they're useful to have even if you aren't planning on becoming employed or traveling internationally before you expect to have your green card), but when you'd save a grand by not doing so that changes the calculations, I think.

Probably and boy would I feel stupid right now if that would have been the situation back in January and I would have decided against spending that money. Without Corona I expected to have my Greencard by early June so maybe even before EAD/ AP and now here we are...