USCIS Filing Fees Increasing - April 1st 2024

[Tellurous 19]

No, it's not a joke. The date appears to be pure coincidence. 

 

From: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-issues-final-rule-to-adjust-certain-immigration-and-naturalization-fees

 

Release Date 

 

01/30/2024

 

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a final rule to adjust certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees for the first time since 2016. The final rule will allow USCIS to recover a greater share of its operating costs and support more timely processing of new applications.

 

The final rule is the result of a comprehensive fee review, as required by law, and follows the January 2023 publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking. The review concluded that the current fee schedule falls far short in recovering the full cost of agency operations, including the necessary expansion of humanitarian programs, federally mandated pay raises, additional staffing requirements, and other essential investments.

 

“For the first time in over seven years, USCIS is updating our fees to better meet the needs of our agency, enabling us to provide more timely decisions to those we serve,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. “Despite years of inadequate funding, the USCIS workforce has made great strides in customer service, backlog reduction, implementing new processes and programs, and upholding fairness, integrity, and respect for all we serve.”

 

USCIS received over 5,400 unique public comments in response to its January 2023 notice of proposed rulemaking. USCIS took into consideration comments and feedback received during the proposed rulemaking process. Acknowledging this feedback from stakeholders, the final fee rule includes several important updates since the initial rulemaking. The final rule:

 

• Lowers the agency’s required annual cost recovery by $727 million, in part by considering the budget effects of improved efficiency measures;
• Expands fee exemptions for Special Immigrant Juveniles and victims of human trafficking, crime, and domestic violence; U.S. military service members and our Afghan allies;
• and families pursuing international adoption;Provides special fee discounts for nonprofit organizations and small business employers;
• Allows for half-price Employment Authorization Document applications for applicants for adjustment of status and a reduced fee for adjustment of status applicants under the age of 14 in certain situations;
• Expands eligibility for a 50% fee reduction for naturalization applications, available to individuals who can demonstrate household income between 150% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines; and Implements a standard $50 discount for online filers.

 

Every fee in the final rule is the same or lower than in the proposed rule. For most individual filers, the final rule limits how much newly established fees may increase. Under the final rule, the new fees will not increase by more than 26%, which is equivalent to the increase in the Consumer Price Index since the last fee rule was issued in 2016.

 

With the new revenues the rule will generate, USCIS will continue using innovative solutions to improve customer experience and stem backlog growth. Although the fee increases announced today will allow USCIS to better offset overall costs, congressional funding continues to be necessary to sustainably and fully address the increased volume of caseloads associated with recent border crossers, including by hiring additional USCIS personnel to help right-size a system that was not built to manage the numbers of cases USCIS receives.

 

The new fees under the final rule will go into effect on April 1, 2024.

 

USCIS encourages stakeholders to visit the Frequently Asked Questions page on its website to view a full list of the revised forms that will go into effect on April 1, 2024, along with the new fees. USCIS will accept prior editions of most forms during a grace period from April 1, 2024, through June 3, 2024. During this grace period, USCIS will accept both previous and new editions of certain forms, filed with the correct fee.

 

USCIS will use the postmark date of a filing to determine which form version and fees are correct but will use the receipt date for purposes of any regulatory or statutory filing deadlines.

 

FAQ and associated table of filing fee increases:

 

https://www.uscis.gov/frequently-asked-questions-on-the-uscis-fee-rule

 

 

Edited January 31 by Tellurous

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

The most common form fee increases look lower compared to what they initially proposed.   The I-90 has decreased. 

 

Type of Filing	Current Fee(s)		Final Fee(s)	Current vs. Final Fees
I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (online filing)	$455		$415	-$40	-9%
I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (online filing) (with biometric services)	$540		$415	-$125	-23%
I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (paper filing)	$455		$465	$10	2%
I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (paper filing) (with biometric services)	$540		$465	-$75	-14%
I-102 Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document	$445		$560	$115	26%
I-129 H-1B	$460		$780	$320	70%
I-129 H-1B (small employers and nonprofits)	$460		$460	$0	0%
I-129 H-2A - Named Beneficiaries	$460		$1,090	$630	137%
I-129 H-2A - Named Beneficiaries (small employers and nonprofits)	$460		$545	$85	18%
I-129 H-2A - Unnamed Beneficiaries	$460		$530	$70	15%
I-129 H-2A - Unnamed Beneficiaries (small employers and nonprofits)	$460		$460	$0	0%
I-129 H-2B - Named Beneficiaries	$460		$1,080	$620	135%
I-129 H-2B - Named Beneficiaries (small employers and nonprofits)	$460		$540	$80	17%
I-129 H-2B - Unnamed Beneficiaries	$460		$580	$120	26%
I-129 H-2B - Unnamed Beneficiaries (small employers and nonprofits)	$460		$460	$0	0%
I-129 Petition for L Nonimmigrant workers	$460		$1,385	$925	201%
I-129 Petition for L Nonimmigrant workers (small employers and nonprofits)	$460		$695	$235	51%
I-129 Petition for O Nonimmigrant workers	$460		$1,055	$595	129%
I-129 Petition for O Nonimmigrant workers (small employers and nonprofits)	$460		$530	$70	15%
I-129CW CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker and I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker: E, H-3, P, Q, R, or TN Classifications	$460		$1,015	$555	121%
I-129CW CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker and I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker: E, H-3, P, Q, R, or TN Classifications (with biometric services)	$545		$1,015	$470	85%
I-129CW Petition for a CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker and I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker: E, H-3, P, Q, R, or TN Classifications (small employers and nonprofits)	$460		$510	$50	11%
I-129CW Petition for a CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker and I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker: E, H-3, P, Q, R, or TN Classifications (small employers and nonprofits) (with biometric services)	$545		$510	-$35	-6%
I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)	$535		$675	$140	26%
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative (online filing)	$535		$625	$90	17%
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative (paper filing)	$535		$675	$140	26%
I-131 Application for Travel Document	$575		$630	$55	10%
I-131 Application for Travel Document (with biometric services)	$660		$630	-$30	-5%
I-131 Refugee Travel Document for an individual age 16 or older	$135		$165	$30	22%
I-131 Refugee Travel Document for an individual age 16 or older (with biometric services)	$220		$165	-$55	-25%
I-131 Refugee Travel Document for a child under the age of 16	$105		$135	$30	29%
I-131 Refugee Travel Document for a child under the age of 16 (with biometric services)	$190		$135	-$55	-29%
I-131A Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation)	$575		$575	$0	0%
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers	$700		$715	$15	2%
I-191 Application for Relief Under Former Section 212(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)	$930		$930	$0	0%
I-192 Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant (CBP)	$585		$1,100	$515	88%
I-192 Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant (USCIS)	$930		$1,100	$170	18%
I-193 Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa	$585		$695	$110	19%
I-212 Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the U.S. After Deportation or Removal	$930		$1,175	$245	26%
I-290B Notice of Appeal or Motion	$675		$800	$125	19%
I-360 Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant	$435		$515	$80	18%
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status	$1,140		$1,440	$300	26%
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (with biometric services)	$1,225		$1,440	$215	18%
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (under the age of 14 in certain conditions)	$750		$950	$200	27%
I-526/526E Immigrant Petition by Standalone/Regional Center	$3,675		$11,160	$7,485	204%
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (online filing)	$370		$420	$50	14%
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (online filing) (with biometric services)	$455		$420	-$35	-8%
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (paper filing)	$370		$470	$100	27%
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (paper filing) (with biometric services)	$455		$470	$15	3%
I-600 Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative and I-600A Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition	$775		$920	$145	19%
I-600 Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative and I-600A Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition (with biometric services for one adult)	$860		$920	$60	7%
I-600A/I-600 Supplement 3 Request for Action on Approved Form I-600A/I-600	N/A		$455	$455	N/A
I-601 Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility	$930		$1,050	$120	13%
I-601A Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver	$630		$795	$165	26%
I-601A Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver (with biometric services)	$715		$795	$80	11%
I-612 Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement (Under Section 212(e) of the INA, as Amended)	$930		$1,100	$170	18%
I-687 Application for Status as a Temporary Resident	$1,130		$1,240	$110	10%
I-687 Application for Status as a Temporary Resident (with biometric services)	$1,215		$1,240	$25	2%
I-690 Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility Under Sections 245A or 210 of the Immigration and Nationality Act	$715		$905	$190	27%
I-694 Notice of Appeal of Decision	$890		$1,125	$235	26%
I-698 Application to Adjust Status from Temporary to Permanent Resident (Under Section 245A of the INA)	$1,670		$1,670	$0	0%
I-698 Application to Adjust Status from Temporary to Permanent Resident (Under Section 245A of the INA) (with biometric services)	$1,755		$1,670	-$85	-5%
I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence	$595		$750	$155	26%
I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence (with biometric services)	$680		$750	$70	10%
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (online filing)	$410		$470	$60	15%
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (online filing) (with biometric services)	$495		$470	-$25	-5%
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (paper filing)	$410		$520	$110	27%
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (paper filing) (with biometric services)	$495		$520	$25	5%
I-800 Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative and Form I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country	$775		$920	$145	19%
I-800 Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative and Form I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country (with biometric services)	$860		$920	$60	7%
I-800A Supplement 3, Request for Action on Approved Form I-800A	$385		$455	$70	18%
I-800A Supplement 3, Request for Action on Approved Form I-800A (with biometric services)	$470		$455	-$15	-3%
I-817 Application for Family Unity Benefits	$600		$760	$160	27%
I-817 Application for Family Unity Benefits (with biometric services)	$685		$760	$75	11%
I-824 Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition	$465		$590	$125	27%
I-829 Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions	$3,750		$9,525	$5,775	154%
I-829 Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions (with biometric services)	$3,835		$9,525	$5,690	148%
I-881 Application for Suspension of Deportation or Special Rule Cancellation of Removal (for an individual adjudicated by DHS)	$285		$340	$55	19%
I-881 Application for Suspension of Deportation or Special Rule Cancellation of Removal (for an individual adjudicated by DHS) (with biometric services)	$370		$340	-$30	-8%
I-881 Application for Suspension of Deportation or Special Rule Cancellation of Removal (for a family adjudicated by DHS)	$570		$340	-$230	-40%
I-881 Application for Suspension of Deportation or Special Rule Cancellation of Removal (for a family adjudicated by DHS) (with biometric services for two people)	$740		$340	-$315	-48%
I-910 Application for Civil Surgeon Designation	$785		$990	$205	26%
I-929 Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1 Nonimmigrant	$230		$0	-$230	-100%
I-941 Application for Entrepreneur Parole	$1,200		$1,200	$0	0%
I-941 Application for Entrepreneur Parole (with biometric services)	$1,285		$1,200	-$85	-7%
I-956 Application for Regional Center Designation	$17,795		$47,695	$29,900	168%
I-956F Application for Approval of an Investment in a Commercial Enterprise	$17,795		$47,695	$29,900	168%
I-956G Regional Center Annual Statement	$3,035		$4,470	$1,435	47%
N-300 Application to File Declaration of Intention	$270		$320	$50	19%
N-336 Request for Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings Under Section 336 (online filing)	$700		$780	$80	11%
N-336 Request for Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings Under Section 336 (paper filing)	$700		$830	$130	19%
N-400 Application for Naturalization (online filing)	$640		$710	$70	11%
N-400 Application for Naturalization (online filing) (with biometric services)	$725		$710	-$15	-2%
N-400 Application for Naturalization (paper filing)	$640		$760	$120	19%
N-400 Application for Naturalization (paper filing) (with biometric services)	$725		$760	$35	5%
N-400 Application for Naturalization (applicants with household income between 150 and 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG))	$320		$380	$60	19%
N-400 Application for Naturalization (applicants with household income between 150 and 400% of the FPG) (with biometric services)	$405		$380	-$25	-6%
N-470 Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes	$355		$420	$65	18%
N-565 Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document (online filing)	$555		$505	-$50	-9%
N-565 Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document (paper filing)	$555		$555	$0	0%
N-600 Application for Certificate of Citizenship (online filing)	$1,170		$1,335	$165	14%
N-600 Application for Certificate of Citizenship (paper filing)	$1,170		$1,385	$215	18%
N-600K Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate (online filing)	$1,170		$1,335	$165	14%
N-600K Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate (paper filing)	$1,170		$1,385	$215	18%
USCIS Immigrant Fee	$220		$235	$15	7%
H-1B Registration Process Fee	$10		$215	$205	2,050%
Biometric Services (limited circumstances)	$85		$30	-$55	-65%
G-1041 Genealogy Index Search Request (online filing)	$65		$30	-$35	-54%
G-1041 Genealogy Index Search Request (paper filing)	$65		$80	$15	23%
G-1041A Genealogy Records Request (online filing)	$65		$30	-$35	-54%
G-1041A Genealogy Records Request (paper filing)	$65		$80	$15	23%
G-1566 Request for Certificate of Non-Existence	$0		$330	$330	N/A

Edited January 31 by Crazy Cat

[JeanneAdil 6,491]

Not as bad as the $2820 they proposed for the AOS but what i don't see is I 485 allows for person to add other I 131,  1 765 free 

so,  adding up the I 485, I 131, and I 765 will cost $2540 or $2590 if u do the I 765 by paper.

Looks like they were only allowed to do the 26% increase so they separated the 3 petitions to get what USCIS wanted.  waiting to see if the will allow the $1440 proposed for I 485 to add the other forms free.

 

I can see people trying to just do the I 485 to save money and needing to travel for an emergency and getting caught with the higher fee for the advanced parole to travel and trying to make an appointment with US office.

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

19 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

Not as bad as the $2820 they proposed for the AOS but what i don't see is I 485 allows for person to add other I 131,  1 765 free 

so,  adding up the I 485, I 131, and I 765 will cost $2540 or $2590 if u do the I 765 by paper.

Looks like they were only allowed to do the 26% increase so they separated the 3 petitions to get what USCIS wanted.  waiting to see if the will allow the $1440 proposed for I 485 to add the other forms free.

 

I can see people trying to just do the I 485 to save money and needing to travel for an emergency and getting caught with the higher fee for the advanced parole to travel and trying to make an appointment with US office.

Yes, the free I-131s and free I-765s are gone.  I agree that many will forego the I-131....then they will pay a lot higher price.  Yes, it looks like an I-485, I-131, and I-765 will be close to $2500.  That's close to a 100% increase in total.

Edited January 31 by Crazy Cat

[yuna628 9,671]

Ouch am I glad we're done with the USCIS. I was wondering if the free filing in that package would be removed and looks that way.

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

1 minute ago, yuna628 said:

Ouch am I glad we're done with the USCIS. I was wondering if the free filing in that package would be removed and looks that way.

Has the N-400 always been income adjusted?

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

I don't see this in the fee table:

 

"

• Allows for half-price Employment Authorization Document applications for applicants for adjustment of status and a reduced fee for adjustment of status applicants under the age of 14 in certain situations;"

[SalishSea 17,818]

32 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Has the N-400 always been income adjusted?

I’m confused about the different N-400 filing fees….with or without biometrics.   Doesn’t everyone get biometrics?

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

3 minutes ago, SalishSea said:

I’m confused about the different N-400 filing fees….with or without biometrics.   Doesn’t everyone get biometrics?

I thought so.....

[yuna628 9,671]

13 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

I thought so.....

Well, they never took new biometrics on my husband.

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

6 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

Well, they never took new biometrics on my husband.

Nor for my wife....but we had to pay for biometrics. 

[nastra30 2,284]

42 minutes ago, SalishSea said:

I’m confused about the different N-400 filing fees….with or without biometrics.   Doesn’t everyone get biometrics?

 

38 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

I thought so.....

I believe applicants of age 75+ years do not need to pay a biometric fee. Perhaps the without biometrics is in reference to this group.

[nastra30 2,284]

Another trend is the subtle nudge to make people file online by making online filing fees less than paper filings. With the eventual goal of killing off those paper applications and making more forms available online.

[Deagle 508]

As a person who spent years of my life dealing with stressful days, weeks, months, dealing with the unknown, being away from family and loved ones due to long processing times, I am all for increasing fees across the board, even if at 200% or 300% and cutting down processing times. Our time is more precious and valuable than money.

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

 

4 hours ago, Tellurous said:

“For the first time in over seven years, USCIS is updating our fees to better meet the needs of our agency, enabling us to provide more timely decisions to those we serve,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. “Despite years of inadequate funding, the USCIS workforce has made great strides in customer service, backlog reduction, implementing new processes and programs, and upholding fairness, integrity, and respect for all we serve.”

This statement is the April Fool's joke.

Edited January 31 by Crazy Cat