USCIS Announces Filing Fee Increases

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced filing fee increases for most applications effective October 2, 2020. Certain application fees, as noted below, will increase dramatically. The changes include:

• Citizenship applications (Form N-400) will increase from $640 to $1,170.
• Nonimmigrant working visas (Form I-129) such as H-1Bs, L-1s, E-1/E-2s and O visas will increase at different rates, in addition to the I-129 base rate of $460. H-1B petitions will increase by $95; L petitions will cost an additional $345; E-1 and E-2 petitions will cost an additional $235; and O petitions will cost an additional $245.
• Applications for Permanent Residency (Form I-485) will decrease from $1,140 to $1,130. However, accompanying applications for travel authorization (Form I-131) and work authorization (Form I-765) will no longer be included as part of the adjustment of status package. Instead, applicants for adjustment of status will now have to pay additional filing fees of $590 and $550 respectively, bringing the total cost of an adjustment of status application package to $2,270.
• Immigrant Visa Petitions for Alien Workers (Form I-140) will decrease from $700 to $555.
• Applications for Political Asylum (Form I-589) will no longer be free. Applicants will now pay a filing fee of $50.
• Premium processing time will now increase from 15 calendar days to 15 business days.

If you are considering applying for any immigration benefit or filing any application(s), please contact us to coordinate your filing as soon as possible.