U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the government body responsible for the oversight and processing of immigration applications, has communicated a rise in filing costs for a variety of immigration forms and benefit requests. This update will profoundly affect applicants planning to navigate the immigration process after the said changes come into effect. This significant announcement was made public on January 30, 2024, and marks the first substantial alteration in the filing fees since 2016. With these developments set in motion, it’s essential to be well-informed about the impending changes.
USCIS Filing Fee Increase Effective April 1, 2024
The new fee structure is established to tackle the agency’s operational and financial hurdles and is aimed at supporting the swift processing of applications. The adjustment is considerable and covers a wide range of forms and services provided by USCIS, ensuring the agency remains fully resourced to perform its duties effectively.
Commencing April 1, 2024, the new fees will apply to all applications postmarked after this date. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to submit their documents before this deadline to avoid the increased charges.
TIP: To avoid paying the higher fees, applications must be received by USCIS before April 1, 2024.
Key Changes in the USCIS Fee Structure
Here’s a summary of the changes that are particularly noteworthy:
Adjustment to Family-Based Petitions
- Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative): This form is crucial for those sponsoring family members, including those applying for marriage-based green cards. The fee will see a 26% increase to $675 for paper filings and $625 for online submissions.
Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)
- Form I-129F: A significant tool for U.S. citizens who desire to bring their fiancé(e) into the country, it will now cost $675, which is also a 26% hike from the former $535 fee.
Green Card Application Adjustments
- Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status): Applicants looking to obtain a green card for permanent residency will witness an 18% rise from $1,225 to $1,440. In addition, applications for employment authorization and advance parole will see additional charges of $260 and $630, respectively, which were previously included at no extra cost when filed alongside the adjustment of status applications.
Premium Processing Timeframe Extension
An important note for those requiring expedited processing: The premium processing service will stretch to fifteen business days, shifting from the earlier standard of fifteen calendar days.
Discounted Rates for Certain Employers and Institutions
Companies with 25 or fewer employees, nonprofits as defined by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, government research organizations, and educational institutions will be eligible for discounted fees. Moreover, electronic filings will generally have lower filing fees than paper submissions.
Fees for Employment-Based Applications
A $600 fee will be instituted for employment-based applications, including Forms I-129 and I-140. However, small employers and nonprofit organizations can breathe a sigh of relief with a reduced $300 filing fee.
Itemized Fees for Adjustments of Status
The bundled fee for adjustment of status applications will be unbundled, resulting in individual charges for related applications. Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and Advance Parole (AP) applications filed in conjunction with an adjustment of status application will now come with fees of $260 and $630 respectively.
Charting the Filing Fee Increases
To provide a clearer perspective on the extent of the fee changes, here’s an illustrative breakdown of the modified charges for some common immigration benefits:
- I-129 H-1B: Fee increases from $460 to $780.
- I-130 Petition for Alien Relative: Online filing raises from $535 to $625, with paper filing going from $535 to $675.
- I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status: Jumps from $1,225 to $1,440, including biometric services.
- N-400 Application for Naturalization: The paper filing fee will move up from $640 to $760; including biometric services, it’s a rise from $725 to $760.
H-1B Visa Applicants
Individuals or organizations planning to participate in the H-1B visa program should take note of the substantial fee changes. The H-1B cap electronic registration fee is set to increase, reaching $215 per registration. However, the fee for fiscal year 2025 cap registration period will remain at $10 per registration from March 6 to March 22, 2024.
Be Quick to Act, Plan Your Application Accordingly
The deadline to evade the increased costs is March 31, 2024. Prospective applicants need to take immediate measures if they intend to file any immigration paperwork that could be affected by this price surge. Given the marked increase in fees, the impact on the budget for individuals and employers alike could be significant.
For those needing assistance or having questions about the new fees, USCIS operates various channels where individuals can get help with their applications. Applicants should also consider seeking the assistance of immigration attorneys or accredited representatives to navigate the filing process in light of these changes.
Final Thoughts
With the looming April 2024 USCIS fee changes, individuals and employers should be prepared for the cost of immigration applications in 2024 to scale up notably. Planning ahead and submitting applications before the effective date of April 1, 2024, can offer significant savings and help mitigate the financial impact of these fee hikes.
As always, staying informed and acting promptly remains the best strategy when contending with the ever-shifting landscape of U.S. immigration policy.
Learn Today:
Glossary:
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): The government body responsible for overseeing and processing immigration applications in the United States.
Filing fees: The costs charged by USCIS for submitting immigration forms and benefit requests.
Adjustment of status: The process by which an individual already in the United States can change their immigration status to become a lawful permanent resident (green card holder).
Paper filings: Submitting immigration forms and documents in physical form, whether by mail or in person.
Online submissions: Submitting immigration forms and documents electronically, typically through USCIS’s online platform.
Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative): A form used by U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents to petition for family members to immigrate to the United States.
Marriage-based green card: The process of obtaining a green card (lawful permanent residency) through marriage to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
Form I-129F: A form used by U.S. citizens to petition for their fiancé(e) to enter the United States and get married.
Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status): A form used by individuals already in the United States to apply for a green card and become a lawful permanent resident.
Employment authorization: Permission granted to an individual to legally work in the United States.
Advance parole: Permission granted to an individual to travel internationally while an adjustment of status application is pending.
Premium processing: An expedited processing service offered by USCIS that guarantees a faster review of certain immigration applications in exchange for an additional fee.
Postmarked: The date stamped on a piece of mail by the postal service, indicating when it was sent or received.
Expedited processing: A request for faster processing of an immigration application based on urgent circumstances or compelling reasons.
Discounted fees: Reduced filing fees available to certain employers, nonprofits, government research organizations, and educational institutions.
Forms I-129 and I-140: Forms used for employment-based immigration applications.
Adjustment of status: The process of changing immigration status from a nonimmigrant visa to lawful permanent resident status while in the United States.
Employment Authorization Document (EAD): A document issued by USCIS that allows an individual to work legally in the United States.
Advance Parole (AP): Permission granted to an individual to travel internationally while their adjustment of status application is pending.
H-1B visa: A nonimmigrant visa that allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations.
H-1B cap: The annual numerical limit on the number of H-1B visas that can be issued.
H-1B cap electronic registration fee: The fee charged for registering an H-1B petition in the electronic registration system.
H-1B visa program: A program that allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations on a temporary basis.
Biometric services: The collection of fingerprints, photographs, and other personal information for identity verification purposes.
N-400 Application for Naturalization: The form used by lawful permanent residents to apply for U.S. citizenship.
Effective date: The date on which a new policy, regulation, or fee change becomes operational.
So, there you have it – the new USCIS filing fees are no joke! With significant increases across a range of immigration forms, it’s important to be aware of these changes and plan accordingly. Remember, to avoid the higher fees, be sure to submit your applications before April 1, 2024. And if you want to dive deeper into this topic or explore more about U.S. immigration, check out visaverge.com for all your immigration needs. Stay informed and save those dollars!
This Article in a Nutshell:
On April 1, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will raise filing fees for various immigration forms. Changes include a 26% increase for family-based petitions, a 26% increase for fiancé(e) petitions, and an 18% increase for green card applications. Review the new fee schedule before April 1, 2024 to avoid higher costs.
