In early November, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to increase immigration application fees. However, the rates for some procedures will be significantly reduced.
Here are the proposed rate increases for the following immigration forms:
- Form N-400 (Naturalization Request) – From $640 to $1,170
- Form I-765 (Work Permit) – From $410 to $490
- Form I-881 (Application for Suspension of Deportation or Cancellation of Expulsion) – From $285 to $1,800
- Form I-751 (Petition to Cancel Residence Conditions) – From $595 to $750
- Form I-589 (Asylum Application) – From $0 to $50
- Form I-821D (DACA) – From $0 to $275
- Form I-290B (Notice of Appeal or Motion) – From $675 to $705
Here are the proposed rate increases for the following immigration forms:
- Form I-129 for H-2A (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker) – From $460 to $425
- Form I-129 for H-2B (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker) – From 460 to $395
- Form I-485 (Application for Permanent Residence Registration or Adjustment of Status) – From $1,140 to $1,120
- Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Residence Card) – From $455 to $415
- Form N-565 (Application for Replacement of Naturalization / Citizenship Document) – From $555 to $545
- Form N-600 (Application for Citizenship Certificate) – From $1,170 to $1,015
- Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition as a Foreign Worker) – From $700 to $545
- Form N-600 (Application for Citizenship Certificate) – From $1,170 to $1,015
- Form N-600K (Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322) – From $1,170 to $960
- Form I-129F (Foreign Fiancé Petition) – From $535 to $520
- Form I-191 (Request for Relief Under section 212 (c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act) – From $930 to $800
- Form I-612 (Application for Exemption on Foreign Residence Under Section 212 (e) of the INA) – From $930 to $525
- Form I-910 (Application for Appointment as a Civil Doctor) – From $785 to $650
- Form I-817 (Application for Family Unit Benefits) – From $600 to $590
- Biometric Services – From $85 to $30 (Rather than paying a separate fee for each case)
- USCIS Immigrant Fee – From $220 to $200
Once the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) publishes the rate plan in the Federal Register, there will be a 30-day period specifically for public opinion. Along with fee increases, the premium processing timeline will increase to nearly three weeks (rather than 15 days), asylum and DACA applicants will be imposed new fees, and employers petitioning for H-1B and L-1 employees must make additional border security fee payments.
USCIS relies on fees to operate, unlike most government agencies. According to federal law, the agency must perform fee reviews every other year—since the last time the fees were adjusted was in FY 2017—and determine the necessary adjustments so it can properly administer the country’s immigration laws.
To make sure USCIS recovers the total costs of these services, the rule proposes adjusting fee schedules by a weighted average increase of 21 percent. If the current fees remain unadjusted, the agency would be underfunded by approximately $1.3 billion annually.
For more information about our legal immigration services in Miami, contact Hubbs Law today at (305) 570-4802 and schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your case.
Disclaimer:
Please note that by reading this blog you are not entering into an attorney-client relationship with Hubbs Law, P.A. This blog only provides general legal information. Every case is unique and you should request a consultation to ensure that you are getting the correct legal advice for your specific case.