USCIS Changes Their Fees Charged for Most Applications

USCIS Changes Their Fees Charged for Most Applications

On August 3, 2020, USCIS  has set a list of changes in the fees for many application forms. This new rule significantly alters the USCIS fee schedule by adjusting fees by a weighted average increment of 20 percent. The new list of fees has several consequences, such as multiple fees for nonimmigrant worker petitions and limiting the number of beneficiaries for each form.

The new list of fees also removes certain exemptions, changes waiver requirements, alters premium processing time limits, and modifies certain protocol procedures. As it is shown in the following graphs, the major changes could resume in:

• Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (Increase in the fees in most cases more than $200)
• Form I-131, Application for Travel Document (Increase in the fees in more than $500 dollars)

• Form I-600/I-600A, Supplement 3, Request for Action on Approved Form I-600/I-600A (Increase in more than 300 dollars in contrast with the current fees). Besides the I-765, Application for employment authorization has increased to $550 dollars.

• Finally, we see a high increase in fees for other applications such as: N-300, N-470 and others as it is shown in the graph below.

As it is has been announced by USCIS, the major changes:

• Increase fees by a weighted average of more than 20 percent
• Add a $50 fee for asylum applications
• Remove the proposal to transfer money to ICE
• Some of USCIS’s forms. USCIS will post the new and revised forms online 30 days before the new rule goes into effect.

Moreover, USCIS will provide a grace period of up to 60 days in which it will accept both the previous and the new versions of certain forms as long as payment is correct and the forms are filled correctly. Applicants and petitioners must be aware that this new change will be in place by October 2, 2020.

While we understand that this news is alarming, we strongly recommend that if you need to submit a petition to USCIS, please do so before October 2, 2020.  Furthermore, if you have any questions about the USCIS new fee changes or any other immigration questions, our attorneys are here to help. Feel free to visit our website or call us at (646) 405-9846 for more information.