When you submit petitions and applications for immigration benefits, you also need to submit fees for immigration forms. Forms are not processed without these fees being paid in full. From time to time, these fees will increase. USCIS has announced a fee increase in 2016 and more may follow in 2017. Often, these increases in costs are due to increasing labor and related costs associated with processing forms.
What Is the USCIS Fee Increase in 2016?
In late December 2016, USCIS fee increases announced in October of that year became effective. Any applications mailed, filed or postmarked on or after Dec. 23, 2016, need to include the new fees. Another change is the elimination of the grace period. A failed fee payment will not be subject to a two-week grace period to address the problem. Instead, any missing fee will result in an immediate rejection. Be sure to consult the USCIS website for the current fees for your immigration process, the correct mailing address. www.uscis.gov
Some of the most common applications and their increased fees include:
- I-290B (Notice of Appeal or Motion). The fee increases from $630 to $675.
- I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker). The fee increases from $325 to $460.
- I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status). The fee increases from $985 to $1,140.
- I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker). The fee increases from $580 to $700.
- I-102 (Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document). The fee increases from $330 to $445.
- I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization). The fee increases from $380 to $410.
- I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status). The fee increases from $290 to $370.
- Biometrics (fingerprinting). The cost remains $85.00. Be sure to include this fee if your immigration process requires that you do so.
The cost to get a new green card has also increased, as the fee for form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card) has risen from $365 to $455. The fee to file form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) is now $640, up from $595.
The cost to apply for citizenship and the costs associated with other petitions will likely be affected by the USCIS fee increase in 2017 and 2016. Always check the current fee schedule to ensure you submit the right fee with your application.
What You Should Do if You Need to File an Immigration Form
Regulations regarding employment as well as the fees for applying change regularly. If you are currently eligible to move to the United States and wish to do so, you will want to act now. If you would like to sponsor a worker or family member, you will also want to act quickly as well, before fees increase again.
Since the immigration process can take some time and can be complex, contact us today. The Florida Bar Certified Immigration and Nationality Lawyers at shanelaw.com are dedicated to helping reunite families and to helping individuals navigate the immigration process. If you need legal representation during the immigration process, contact us today for a consultation.