With a significant increase in processing times, RFE and denials, the USCIS has decided that this is as good enough time as any to significantly increase USCIS filing fees.
On 11/14/2019 the USCIS plans to publish a new fee schedule in the Federal Register. Publication will be followed by a comment period of at least 30 days before the new fees will be required, so there is a possibility that some of the proposed fees listed herein will change. However, I wanted to provide you with as much advanced notice as possible.
Some key changes include the following:
For several years now the I-485 (green card) fee has included the processing of I-765 (employment) and I-131 (travel) documents, including renewals. Once the new fee schedule is implemented, the I-485, I-765 and I-131 applications will each have a separate fee associated with them and the fees will also be required for I-765 and I-131 renewals.
Due to I-485 processing delays, it has become increasingly necessary to apply for renewals of employment and travel authorization documents as in many cases I-485 applications are not being adjudicated within the 12-month validity of the employment and travel documents issued. Consequently, I-485 applicants will also need to plan on the additional costs associated with applying for employment and travel
renewals of $1075 as well an initial USCIS filing fee that is almost twice what it has been.
|
Form
|
Current Fee
|
Proposed Fee
|
|
I-485 (green card) for applicant aged 14+
|
$1225
|
$1120
|
|
I-485 for applicant under the age of 14
|
$750
|
$1120
|
|
I-765 (employment) filed with I-485
|
$0
|
$490
|
|
I-131 (travel) filed with I-485
|
$0
|
$585
|
Based on the proposed fees, an applicant aged 14+ who is currently paying a USCIS filing fee of $1225 for the I-485, I-765 and I-131, will soon be paying $2195.
Some other proposed fee changes include:
|
Form
|
Current Fee
|
Proposed Fee
|
|
I-129 (H-1B)
|
$2460
|
$2560
|
|
I-129 (L-1A or L-1B) (Individual petitions, not applications filed under Blanket petition)
|
$960
|
$1315
|
|
I-129 (O-1)
|
$460
|
$715
|
|
I-129 (E-3 or TN) (Filed in-country)
|
$460
|
$705
|
|
I-539 (H-4, L-2, TD, etc.)
|
$370
|
$400
|
|
Biometrics fee
|
$85
|
$30
|
|
I-765 (Employment for F-1, H-4, L-2, etc.)
|
$410
|
$490
|
|
I-140 (Immigrant petition)
|
$700
|
$545
|
There was also mention of possibly requiring H and L beneficiaries to pay a biometrics fee under certain circumstances.
Finally, the USCIS also announced separately that the premium processing fee will increase starting on 12/2/2019.
|
Form
|
Current Fee
|
Proposed Fee
|
|
I-907 (Premium processing) (Starts 12/2/19)
|
$1410
|
$1440
|
Once the proposed fees become official, I will send out another client alert listing the final fees and the effective date.
This immigration alert is only being sent to company representatives. Please feel free to share with your foreign national employees as you see fit.
