i-485 Increased Filing Fees

[Ashkanz 0]

We submitted our i-485 (through K1 visa after marrying US citizen) form, March 20th and chose credit card payment method for the $1140+$85 filing fee. But American Express declined the transaction due to "fraud protection". It has been a month and we did not hear anything back from USCIS. Since we don't want more delay on our case, planned to just print and gather all the documents again and send that again like the original submission, instead of waiting for USCIS to send our documents back and ask for new payments, since we don't really know if they do that soon or like 3 months later!

But know right before mailing the package, we noticed filing fees are increased so much and since for the cases received after April 1st, i-131 and i-797 is not free anymore! 

"i485 and biometric services fee increased from $1,225 to $1440). However, two formally free applications within the adjustment of status process, employment authorization, and advance parole, will now cost an additional $260 and $630, respectively"

Now the question is, since our original submission has been before the April 1st and the payment failed, is there any way that we pay the former filing fee ($1225) and file for i-765 and i-131 for free? Or we have to pay all those increased filing fees? 

 

 

Edited April 25 by Ashkanz
typo

[Family 4,065]

You will need to pay the new increased fees. The previous filing will not preserve anything and will be treated as a rejection…

 

The problem with banks /credit cards rejecting payment has been significant….am wondering if consumers will unite for a class action lawsuit soon .

[OldUser 6,979]

16 minutes ago, Family said:

The problem with banks /credit cards rejecting payment has been significant….am wondering if consumers will unite for a class action lawsuit soon .

I don't think it would be successful. Banks will motivate it's for better security or will try to remove liability from themselves for fradulent transactions.

 

To OP and readers: please do not use cards for USCIS payments, declined charges are pretty frequent.

 

To OP: unfortunately, you now have to pay increased fees as if you never filed.

[powerpuff 6,744]

*** Topic moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures ***
 

1 hour ago, Ashkanz said:

is there any way that we pay the former filing fee ($1225) and file for i-765 and i-131 for free?

No 

 

For future USCIS submissions, do not use credit cards. Personal checks or money orders are much more reliable.

[Family 4,065]

1 hour ago, OldUser said:

don't think it would be successful. Banks will motivate it's for better security or will try to remove liability from themselves for fradulent transactions.

Well banks will blow hot air ..for sure😂..but I see a big win for consumers..given the negative impact these rejection cause. 
I am not aware of any institutional scale scams faking USCIS security…plus the handful of banks/credit cos have had since 2015 to authenticate USCIS. 
They are a bit self interested since the no charge back provision…and immigrant consumers too vulnerable to make noise…let’s see

[AndiB 677]

18 hours ago, Family said:

Well banks will blow hot air ..for sure😂..but I see a big win for consumers..given the negative impact these rejection cause. 
I am not aware of any institutional scale scams faking USCIS security…plus the handful of banks/credit cos have had since 2015 to authenticate USCIS. 
They are a bit self interested since the no charge back provision…and immigrant consumers too vulnerable to make noise…let’s see

this has been a long term issue with cc payments, it's not new to fee incr to deliberately catch you out. Banks know if a charge is legit you can just call and  fix it, however uscis won't wait around for that to happen

[JeanneAdil 6,581]

its always best to call the customer service # on back of credit or debit cards  to let them know u r using it to pay for things

like we call our debit and credit card #'s to let them know we travel and may use the card(s) and country names we are going to

 

large purchases and large amounts for any purpose are always suspect 

[OldUser 6,979]

5 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

its always best to call the customer service # on back of credit or debit cards  to let them know u r using it to pay for things

like we call our debit and credit card #'s to let them know we travel and may use the card(s) and country names we are going to

 

large purchases and large amounts for any purpose are always suspect 

While it may work and it's worth trying, not all the banks have the abiltity to override the AI driven fraud detection algorithm. Somerimes they'll say they put a note in the system only to have charge declined. The safest bet is to avoid card payments for USCIS fees.

[powerpuff 6,744]

*** Hijack post split off into its own thread and moved to AOS student/work/tourist visas forum ***