The finalized USCIS fee increases will be effective on October 2, 2020. Applications postmarked on or after October 2, 2020 must be accompanied by the new fees. In addition to fee increases, new editions of several application forms, as well as some important policy changes, will also take effect on October 2, 2020.
Some of the major changes under the new rule include:
1) Higher Fees and New Forms for Employment-based Non-immigrant Petitions Including H-1B, L-1, etc.
Under the final rule, USCIS separates the Form I-129 into several forms for different visa classifications, with different fees. For example, an employer who is filing for an H-1B employee will need to submit the form I-129H1 with the new fee of $555, instead of the uniformed base fee of $460. For multinational managers and executives (L-1A ) or professional employees with specialized knowledge (L-1B), employers need to file the I-129L form and pay the new fee of $805.
2) Premium Processing Time Frame Extended to 15 Business Days
The current Premium Processing service guarantees 15 calendar days adjudication to those petitioners and applicants who pay for an additional fee of $1440. The final rule is extending this time frame from 15 calendar days to 15 business days. While the premium processing time will be longer, the filing fee remains the same. In addition, USCIS is also considering adding premium processing service for more applications.
The final rule removes the "bundled" fee exemption for I-765 (EAD) and I-131 (Advance Parole) that are filed concurrently with an I-485 application. This change also covers the EAD/AP renewals while the I-485 is pending. The filing fees have also been increased to $550 and $560 for I-765 and I-131 respectively. For the I-485 form, the filing fee will decrease to $1130.
In addition, there will be no more discount for derivative children under 14, even if their I-485 is filed concurrently with a parent. They must pay the full payment of $1130.
4) Changes to Biometric Fees
The final rule eliminates the separate biometric fees for most of the forms including forms I-539 and I-485. However, it establishes a biometric fee of $30 for TPS applicants and re-registrants. It also requires a separate $30 biometric services fee for Form I-765 filed by pending asylum applicants and by foreign nationals applying for status as a long-term resident of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). For DACA applicants, USCIS will maintain the biometric fee of $85.
5) Online Filing Makes a Difference
For forms that can be filed online such as I-90, N-400, N-600, and I-539 (under certain circumstances), a $10 fee reduction will apply to online filings.
The changes in USCIS fees and fee structures are quite significant. Petitioners and applicants should confirm carefully they are using the correct application forms and paying the correct filing fees before sending out their applications. Failure to pay the correct fees or follow the new policy changes will result in rejection of applications.
FINAL RULE FEE CHANGES
Immigration benefit request
|
Current fee ($)
|
New fee ($)
| |
N-400
|
Naturalization
|
640
|
1,170 (paper filing)
1,160 (online filing)
|
N-600
|
Application for Certificate of Citizenship
|
1,170
|
1,000 (paper filing)
990 (online filing)
|
N-600K
|
Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322
|
1,170
|
935
|
I-90
|
Replace Permanent Residence Card
|
455
|
415 (paper filing)
405 (online filing)
|
I-102
|
Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document
|
445
|
485
|
I-212
|
Permission to Reapply for Admission
into the U.S. After Deportation or Removal
|
930
|
1,050
|
I-290B
|
Notice of Appeal or Motion
|
675
|
700
|
I-131
|
Travel Document
|
575
|
590
|
I-765
|
Employment Authorization
|
410
|
550 (non-DACA)
410 (DACA only)
|
I-485, I-765, & I-131
|
Application to Register Permanent Residency or Adjust Status, Employment Authorization, & Travel Document
|
1,225
|
2,270
|
I-539
|
Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
|
370
|
400 (paper filing)
390 (online filing)
|
I-751
|
Remove Conditions on Residence
|
595
|
760
|
I-129H1
|
I-129 H-1B - Named Beneficiaries
|
460
|
555
|
I-129H2A
|
I-129 H-2A - Named Beneficiaries
|
460
|
850
|
I-129 H-2A - Unnamed Beneficiaries
|
460
|
415
| |
I-129H2B
|
I-129 H-2B - Named Beneficiaries
|
460
|
715
|
I-129 H-2B - Unnamed Beneficiaries
|
460
|
385
| |
I-129L
|
Petition for L Nonimmigrant Worker
|
460
|
805
|
I-129O
|
Petition for O Nonimmigrant Worker
|
460
|
705
|
I-129CW,
I129E&TN,
I129MISC
|
CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional
Worker;
Application for Nonimmigrant Worker: E
and TN Classification;
Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker: H-3, P, Q, or R Classification.
|
460
|
695
|
I-129F
|
Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)
|
535
|
510
|
I-130
|
Petition for Alien Relative
|
535
|
560 (paper filing)
550 (online filing)
|
I-140
|
Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
|
700
|
555
|
I-601
|
Waiver of Ground of Excludability
|
930
|
1,010
|
I-601A
|
Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver
|
630
|
960
|
I-526
|
Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur
|
3,675
|
4,010
|
I-824
|
Application for Action on
an Approved Application or
Petition
|
465
|
495
|
I-829
|
Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status
|
3,750
|
3,900
|
-
|
Biometrics Services
|
85
|
30 (TPS, I-765 for pending asylee and long-term CNMI resident program applicants)
85 (DACA applicants)
|
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