USCIS on Thursday, November 14, 2019 has published new proposed fee hike in the Federal Register. USCIS has proposed changes under the fee waiver criteria, wherein the changes are proposed in the eligibility requirements, income requirements, eligible forms & categories, and affidavit of support requirements, etc. USCIS has also proposed changes under the fee exemption categories, Bio-metric service fee, changes in the information collection instrument concerning I-129, I-131, I-589, I-765, I-821D, I-912, and I-942. USCIS is also eliminating $30 charge for dishonored payments. The adjustment of status is now going to cost $2195. Also, from December 02, 2019 on wards the premium processing fee will be $1440, and the processing period will change to 15 business day from 15 calendar days previously. The above mentioned are one of many other changes proposed by USCIS. The proposed rule is currently open for public comments till December 16, 2019 and may become effective in the second year of the biennial period, as FY 2020, which seems to be somewhere around October 2020, but currently the effective date is unclear. The Tables below provide for the proposed fee hike by the USCIS.
Table1. Proposed Fee Hike. (Source: AILA)
Form No. |
Form Title | Current Fee | Proposed Fee | Difference |
% Change |
G-1041 |
Genealogy Index Search Request | $65 | $240 | $175 | 269% |
G-1041A | Genealogy Records Request | $65 | $385 | $320 |
492% |
I-90 |
Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card | $455 | $415 | -$40 | -9% |
I-102 | Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document | $445 | $490 | $45 |
10% |
I129/129CW |
Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker | $460 | *DHS is proposing to separate Form I-129 into several forms. See below. | ||
I-129F | Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) | $535 | $520 | -$15 |
-3% |
I-129CW Proposed |
Petition for a CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker | $460 | $705 | $245 | 53% |
I-129E&TN Proposed | Application for Nonimmigrant Worker: E or TN Classification | $460 | $705 | $245 |
53% |
I-129H1 Proposed |
Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker: H-1 Classification | $460 | $560 | $100 | 22% |
I-129H2A Proposed | Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker: H-2A Classification | $460 | $860 (named);
$425 (unnamed) |
$400 (named) |
87% |
I-129H2B Proposed |
Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker: H-2B Classification | $460 | $725 (named);
$395 (unnamed) |
$265 (named) | 58% |
I-129L Proposed | Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker: L Classification | $460 | $815 | $355 |
77% |
I-129MISC Proposed |
Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker: H-3, P, Q, or R Classification | $460 | $705 | $245 | 53% |
I-129O Proposed | Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker: O Classification | $460 | $715 | $255 |
55% |
I-130 |
Petition for Alien Relative | $535 | $555 | $20 | 4% |
I-131 | Application for Travel Document | $575 | $585 | $10 |
2% |
I-131 |
Travel Document for an individual age 16 or older | $135 | $145 | $10 | 7% |
I-131 | I-131 Refugee Travel Document for a child under the age of 16 | $105 | $115 | $10 |
10% |
I-131A |
Application for Carrier Documentation | $575 | $1,010 | $435 | 76% |
I-140 | Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker | $700 | $545 | -$155 |
-22 |
I-191 |
Application for Relief Under Former Section 212(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) | $930 | $800 | -$130 | -14% |
I-192 | Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant | $930/585 | $1,415 | $830/ $485 |
142% /52% |
I-193 |
Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa | $585 | $2,790 | $2,205 | 377% |
I-212 | Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the U.S. After Deportation or Removal | $930 | $1,040 | $110 |
12% |
I-290B |
Notice of Appeal or Motion | $675 | $705 | $30 | 4% |
I-360 | Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant | $435 | $455 | $20 |
5% |
I-485 |
Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | $1,140 | $1,120 | -$20 | -2% |
I-485 | Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (certain applicants under the age of 14 years) | $750 | $1,120 | $370 |
49% |
I-526 |
Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur | $3,675 | $4,015 | $340 | 9% |
I-539 | Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status | $370 | $400 | $30 |
8% |
I-589 |
Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal | $0 | $50 | $50 | N/A |
I-600 | Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative | $775 | $810 | $35 |
5% |
I-600A |
Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition | $775 | $810 | $35 | 5% |
I-600A/I-600 Supp. 3 | Request for Action on Approved Form I-600A/I-600 | N/A | $405 | $405 |
N/A |
I-601 |
Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility | $930 | $985 | $55 | 6% |
I-601A | Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver | $630 | $960 | $330 |
52% |
I-612 |
Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement (Under Section 212(e) of the INA, as Amended) | $930 | $525 | -$405 | -44% |
I-687 | Application for Status as a Temporary Resident under Section 245A of the Immigration and Nationality Act | $1,130 | $1,130 | $0 |
0% |
I-690 |
Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility | $715 | $770 | $55 | 8% |
I-694 | Notice of Appeal of Decision under Section 210 or 245A | $890 | $725 | -$165 |
-19% |
I-698 |
Application to Adjust Status from Temporary to Permanent Resident (Under Section 245A of the INA) | $1,670 | $1,615 | -$55 | -3% |
I-751 | Petition to Remove the Conditions of Residence | $595 | $760 | $165 |
28% |
I-765 |
Application for Employment Authorization | $410 | $490 | $80 | 20% |
I-800 | Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative | $775 | $810 | $35 |
5% |
I-800A |
Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country | $775 | $810 | $35 | 5% |
I-800A Supp. 3 | Request for Action on Approved Form I-800A | $385 | $405 | $20 |
5% |
I-817 |
Application for Family Unity Benefits | $600 | $590 | -$10 | -2% |
I-821D | Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Renewal) | $0 | $275 | $275 |
N/A |
I-824 |
Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition | $465 | $500 | $35 | 8% |
I-829 | Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status | $3,750 | $3,900 | $150 |
4% |
I-881 |
Application for Suspension of Deportation or Special Rule Cancellation of Removal | $285/570 | $1,800 | $1,515/$1,230 | 532% /216% |
I-910 | Application for Civil Surgeon Designation | $785 | $650 | -$135 |
-17% |
I-924 |
Application for Regional Center Designation Under the Immigrant Investor Program | $17,795 | $17,795 | $0 | 0% |
I-924A | Annual Certification of Regional Center | $3,035 | $4,470 | $1,435 |
47% |
I-929 |
Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1 Nonimmigrant | $230 | $1,515 | $1,285 | 559% |
I-941 | Application for Entrepreneur Parole | $1,200 | $1,200 | $0 |
0% |
N-400 |
Application for Naturalization | $725 | $1170 | $445 | 61.38% |
N-470 |
Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes | $355 | $1,600 | $1,245 | 266% |
N-565 | Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document | $555 | $545 | -$10 |
-2% |
N-600 | Application for Certification of Citizenship | $1,170 | $1,015 | -$155 |
-13% |
N-600K |
Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322 | $1,170 | $960 | -$210 |
-18% |
USCIS Immigrant Fee |
$220 | $200 | -$20 |
-9% |
|
Biometric Services Fee |
$85 | $30 | -$55 |
-65% |
|
Dishonored Payments (Returned Check Fee) | $30 | $0 | -$30 |
-100% |
Table 2: Costs for Spouse Seeking a Marriage Green Card from Within the United States.
Form Number and Title | Current Fee | Proposed Fee | $ Change | % Change |
Family Sponsorship Form (I-130) | $535 | $555 | $20 | 3.74% |
Green Card Application Form (I-485) | $1,140 | $1,120 | -$20 | -1.75% |
Financial Support Form (I-864) | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0.00% |
Work Permit Application Form (I-765) | $0 | $490 | $490 | N/A |
Travel Permit Application Form (I-131) | $0 | $585 | $585 | N/A |
Biometrics (Fingerprints & Photo) | $85 | $0 | -$85 | -100.00% |
Total | $1,760 | $2,750 | $990 | 56.25% |
Table 3: Costs for Spouse Seeking a Marriage Green Card from Outside the United States.
Form Number and Title | Current Fee | Proposed Fee | $ Change | % Change |
Family Sponsorship Form (I-130) | $535 | $555 | $20 | 3.74% |
Online Green Card Application (DS-260) | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0.00% |
Financial Support Form (I-864) | $120 | $120 | $0 | 0.00% |
Biometrics (Fingerprints and Photo) | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0.00% |
State Department Processing | $325 | $325 | $0 | 0.00% |
USCIS Immigrant Fee | $220 | $200 | -$20 | -9.09% |
Total | $1,200 | $1,200 | $0 | 0.00% |
Table 4: Naturalization
Form Number and Title | Current Fee | Proposed Fee | $ Change | % Change |
Naturalization Application (N-400) | $640 | $1,170 | $530 | 82.81% |
Biometrics (Fingerprints and Photo) | $85 | $0 | -$85 | 0.00% |
Total | $725 | $1,170 | $445 | 61.38% |
Disclaimer
This Article only aims to provide brief overview of the USCIS proposed rules & proposed fee hikes, and under no circumstances, acts as a piece of endorsement and a legal advice; therefore, for any further question, please contact your appointed Attorney or the Ahluwalia Law Offices, P.C.