USCIS aims to recover part of its operational costs and improve application processing times. Learn about the immigration changes and how much you would need to pay for each immigration process.
The new fees for many immigration forms in the United States took effect this Monday, April 1.
This adjustment is the first made by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) since 2016.
Some immigration processes saw fee reductions, but many increased by up to 201%.
The increases affect employment-based visa applications and work permits, among others.
However, there are also increases for the most common visa processes, such as adjustment of status, citizenship and naturalization, and family-based applications.
The increase was announced in January through a Federal Register notice. Following a year-long public comment period that received over 5,400 responses.
The agency added several fee exemptions and discounts for certain applicants, such as low-income victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, and members of the U.S. military.
Additionally, it implemented a $50 discount for those who file applications online and expanded eligibility for reduced naturalization fees for low-income applicants.
WHY USCIS IS RAISING ITS FEES
The increase aims to help USCIS largely recover its operational costs and ensure “more timely processing of new applications.”
“For the first time in over seven years, USCIS is updating our fees to better meet the needs of our agency, allowing us to provide more timely decisions to those we serve,” stated USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou.
The agency, which funds 96% of its operations through immigration fees, has faced a growing workload and criticism for processing delays.
WHAT ARE THE NEW COSTS FOR IMMIGRATION PROCESSES IN THE U.S.
| Processes | Current Fee | New Fee | Difference |
| I-90 to replace permanent resident card (online, without biometric services) | $455 | $415 | -$40 |
| I-90 to replace permanent resident card (online, with biometric services) | $540 | $415 | -$125 |
| I-102 to process/replace arrival-departure record | $445 | $560 | $115 |
| I-129 H1 nonimmigrant worker classification | $460 | $460 | $0 |
| I-129 H2A beneficiaries of nonimmigrant workers | $460 | $1,090 | $630 |
| I-129 H2A unnamed beneficiaries of nonimmigrant workers | $460 | $530 | $70 |
| I-129 petition for L visa workers | $460 | $1,385 | $925 |
| I-129 petition for O visa workers | $460 | $1,055 | $595 |
| I-129CW petition for transitional workers and E, H3, P, Q, R, or TN visas (with biometric services) | $545 | $1,015 | $470 |
| I-129CW petition for transitional workers and E, H3, P, Q, R, or TN visas (without biometric services) | $460 | $1,015 | $555 |
| I-129F petition for foreign fiancé(e) | $535 | $675 | $140 |
| I-130 petition for foreign fiancé(e) (online filing) | $535 | $625 | $90 |
| I-130 petition for foreign fiancé(e) (paper filing) | $535 | $675 | $140 |
| I-131 application for travel document | $575 | $630 | $55 |
| I-131 application for travel document (with biometric services) | $660 | $630 | -$30 |
| I-140 petition for alien worker | $700 | $715 | $15 |
| I-290B notice of appeal or motion | $675 | $800 | $125 |
| I-485 application for permanent residence or adjustment of status (with biometric services) | $1,225 | $1,440 | $215 |
| I-539 application to extend/change nonimmigrant status (online, with biometric services) | $455 | $420 | -$35 |
| I-765 application for employment authorization document (online, with biometric services) | $495 | $470 | -$25 |
| N-400 application for naturalization or citizenship (online) | $640 | $710 | $70 |
| N-400 application for naturalization or citizenship (online, with biometric services) | $725 | $710 | -$15 |
| N-600 >application for certificate of citizenship (online) | $1,170 | $1,335 | $165 |
| H1B Registration fee | $220 | $235 | $15 |
| Biometric services | $85 | $30 | -$55 |
Here you can see the full list of fee increases published by USCIS.
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