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USCIS fees go up (a lot) on Dec. 23, 2016

On December 23, 2016 USCIS filing fees are going to increase. In some cases, they will increase a lot. This post highlights the changes that will most impact our clients. A table below gives a full list of all new fees, and shows by how much a fee increased.

When do new USCIS fees take effect?

The new USCIS fees are effective December 23, 2016. That means that if your applications is postmarked on or after December 23, 2016 the new fee is required. If you main the application on or after December 24, 2016 you must use the new fee. If you file on or after December 24th with the old fee, then the whole application will be rejected.

Marriage-based adjustment of status (I-485 & I-130).

The filing fees for marriage-based adjustment of status cases is going to increase significantly. In a standard case, the following filing fees are required:

  • I-130 Petition for Alien Relative
  • I–485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
  • Biometric Services Fee

The old fees were $420 (I-130) + $985 (I-485) + $85 (biometrics) for a grand total of $1490. Starting December 23, 2016, the new fees will be $535 (I-130) + $1,140 (I-485) + $85 (biometrics) for a total of $1,760. That is a $270 fee increase and inches the total cost towards the $2,000 mark.

Naturalization (N-400).

The cost of filing the N-400 will increase from $595 to $640. Most applicants also are required to pay the $85 biometrics. But there is actually a silver lining for low-income applicants.

A helpful change is that low-income applicants will pay a reduced filing fee of $320. The reduced fee applies for those between 150% and 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. For a household of four that means an income at or below $48,600. As reported by the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, the reduced fee will apply to about 11% of all applicants.  Applicants with lower incomes will be able to apply for a fee waiver, as is already the case.

New USCIS fees.

The table below shows all current USCIS filing fees and those taking effective December 23, 2016. The right column shows the increase in fee.

 

FormNew feeOld feeFee increase
G–1041 Genealogy Index Search Request652045
G–1041A Genealogy Records Request (Copy from Microfilm)652045
G–1041A Genealogy Records Request (Copy from Textual Record)653530
I–90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card45536590
I–102 Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document445330115
I–129/129CW Petition for a Nonimmigrant worker460325135
I–129F Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)535340195
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative535420115
I-131/I-131A Application for Travel Document575360215
I–140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker700580120
I-191 Application for Relief Under Former Section 212(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)930585345
I-192 Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant930 (585 for CBP)585345
I-193 Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa585585n/a
I-212 Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the U.S. After Deportation or Removal930585345
I–290B Notice of Appeal or Motion67563045
I–360 Petition for Amerasian Widow(er) or Special Immigrant43540530
I–485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status1140985155
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (certain applicants under the age of 14 years)750635115
I–526 Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur367515002175
I–539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status37029080
I–600/600A Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative/Application for Advance Petition Processing of Orphan Petition77572055
I-601 Application for Waiver of Ground of Excludability930585345
I–601A Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver63058545
I-612 Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement (Under Section 212(e) of the INA, as Amended)930585345
I–687 Application for Status as a Temporary Resident under Section 245A11301130n/a
of the Immigration and Nationality Act
I–690 Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility715200515
I–694 Notice of Appeal of Decision890755135
I–698 Application to Adjust Status From Temporary to Permanent Resident16701020650
(Under Section 245A of the INA)0
I–751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence59550590
I–765 Application for Employment Authorization41038030
I-800/800A Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative/Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country77572055
I–800A Supp. 3 Request for Action on Approved Form I–800A38536025
I–817 Application for Family Unity Benefits600435165
I–824 Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition46540560
I–829 Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions375037500
I–910 Application for Civil Surgeon Designation785615170
I–924 Application for Regional Center Designation Under Investor Program the Immigrant17795623011565
I–924A Annual Certification of Regional Center303503035
I–929 Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U–1 Nonimmigrant23021515
N–300 Application to File Declaration of Intention27025020
N–336 Request for Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings70065050
N-400 Application for Naturalization 64059545
N–470 Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes35533025
N–565 Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document555345210
N–600/N–600K Application for Certificate of Citizenship1170600570
USCIS Immigrant Fee22016555
Biometric Services Fee8585n/a
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All Sound Immigration attorneys are members of the American Immigration Lawyers Associations. They practice immigration law exclusively, focusing on helping families start new lives in the United States.

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